Sets forth provisions regarding corps establishment, original appointments, personnel boards, promotions, designation of positions of importance and responsibility, temporary appointments (including temporary appointments or advancement of commissioned officers in time of war or national emergency), pay and allowances, service credit as deck officer or junior engineer, suspension of legal provisions regarding promotion of commissioned officers during a war or an emergency, involuntary retirement or separation, separation pay, mandatory retirement based on age, retirement for length of service, computation of retired pay, retired grade and retired pay, deferral of retirement, and recall to active duty.
Authorizes the President, in a national emergency, to transfer to the service and jurisdiction of a military department such vessels, equipment, stations, and officers of NOAA as are in the country's best interest. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Commerce to jointly prescribe regulations governing the duties to be performed by NOAA in time of war and providing for NOAA's cooperation with the military departments in preparation for wartime duties.
Sets forth provisions regarding rights and benefits applicable to the corps, including veterans' benefits eligibility, medical and dental care, commissary privileges, authority to use appropriated funds for transportation and reimbursement of certain items, and presentation of the flag upon retirement.