(a) Authority To offer increased paid leave accrual
The Secretary of the Navy is authorized to offer government merchant mariners employed by Military Sealift Command paid leave accrual at a faster rate than provided pursuant to the standard General Schedule (GS) system to make government seafaring jobs more competitive with the commercial sector.
(b) Report on recruiting and retention efforts
(1) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the Commander of the Military Sealift Command and the Maritime Security Board, and in consultation with the Commander of United States Transportation Command, the Commander of United States Fleet Forces Command, and the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on efforts to improve recruitment and retention of Military Sealift Command Mariners.
(2) Elements
The report required under paragraph (1) shall consider—
opportunities to enhance the integration of Military Sealift Command civilian mariners into the military command structure;
providing training on the roles and significance of Military Sealift Command civilian mariner workforce to relevant military commands; and
authorities required to improve recruitment and retention of civilian mariners in Military Sealift Command.
(c) Report on extending charter durations
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report assessing the merits of extending the maximum charter durations of commercial and specialty vessels for the Military Sealift Command.