A bill to enhance the administration of the United States Air Force Institute of Technology, and for other purposes.

Summary: Requires the Commandant of the United States Air Force Institute of Technology (Institute) to be selected by the Secretary of the Air Force. Outlines eligibility requirements and qualifications for such position. Allows a term of five years, with the authority to continue in such position for an additional five years. Establishes at the Institute the civilian positions of Provost and Academic Dean, to be appointed by such Secretary for five-year periods. Allows the person currently serving as the Institute's Commandant to serve as Acting Commandant until the appointment is made under this Act.

SECTION 1. ENHANCEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE 
              INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.

    (a) Enhancement of Administration.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 901 of title 10, United States 
        Code, is amended by inserting after section 9314a the following 
        new section:
``Sec. 9314b. United States Air Force Institute of Technology: 
              administration
    ``(a) Commandant.--
            ``(1) Selection.--The Commandant of the United States Air 
        Force Institute of Technology shall be selected by the 
        Secretary of the Air Force.
            ``(2) Eligibility.--The Commandant shall be one of the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Active-duty officers.--An active-duty officer 
                of the Air Force in a grade not below the grade of 
                colonel, who is assigned or detailed to such position.
                    ``(B) Civilians.--A civilian individual, including 
                an individual who was retired from the Air Force in a 
                grade not below brigadier general, who has the 
                qualifications appropriate to the position of 
                Commandant and is selected by the Secretary as the best 
                qualified from among candidates for the position in 
                accordance with--
                            ``(i) the criteria specified in paragraph 
                        (5);
                            ``(ii) a process determined by the 
                        Secretary; and
                            ``(iii) other factors the Secretary 
                        considers relevant.
            ``(3) Consultation of relevant individuals.--Before making 
        an assignment, detail, or selection of an individual for the 
        position of Commandant, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) consult with the Air Force Institute of 
                Technology Subcommittee of the Air University Board of 
                Visitors;
                    ``(B) consider any recommendation of the leadership 
                and faculty of the United States Air Force Institute of 
                Technology regarding the assignment or selection to 
                that position; and
                    ``(C) consider the recommendations of the Chief of 
                Staff of the Air Force.
            ``(4) Five year term for civilian commandant.--An 
        individual selected for the position of Commandant under 
        paragraph (1)(B) shall serve in that position for a term of not 
        more than five years and may be continued in that position for 
        an additional term of up to five years.
            ``(5) Relevant qualifications.--The qualifications 
        appropriate for selection of an individual for detail or 
        assignment to the position of Commandant include the following:
                    ``(A) An academic degree that is either--
                            ``(i) a doctorate degree in a field of 
                        study relevant to the mission and function of 
                        the United States Air Force Institute of 
                        Technology; or
                            ``(ii) a master's degree in a field of 
                        study relevant to the mission and function of 
                        the United States Air Force Institute of 
                        Technology, but only if--
                                    ``(I) the individual is an active-
                                duty or retired officer of the Air 
                                Force in a grade not below the grade of 
                                brigadier general; and
                                    ``(II) at the time of the selection 
                                of that individual as Commandant, the 
                                individual permanently appointed to the 
                                position of Provost and Academic Dean 
                                has a doctorate degree in a field of 
                                study relevant to the mission and 
                                function of the United States Air Force 
                                Institute of Technology.
                    ``(B) A comprehensive understanding of the 
                Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, 
                and joint and combined operations.
                    ``(C) Leadership experience at the senior level in 
                a large and diverse organization.
                    ``(D) Demonstrated ability to foster and encourage 
                a program of research in order to sustain academic 
                excellence.
                    ``(E) Other qualifications, as determined by the 
                Secretary.
            ``(6) Support.--The Secretary shall detail officers of the 
        Air Force of appropriate grades and qualifications to assist 
        the Commandant in--
                    ``(A) the advanced instruction and professional and 
                technical education of students and the provision of 
                research opportunities for students; and
                    ``(B) the administration of the United States Air 
                Force Institute of Technology.
    ``(b) Provost and Academic Dean.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established at the United 
        States Air Force Institute of Technology the civilian position 
        of Provost and Academic Dean.
            ``(2) Appointment.--
                    ``(A) Appointment by secretary.--The Provost and 
                Academic Dean shall be appointed by the Secretary for a 
                term of five years.
                    ``(B) Consultation.--Before making an appointment 
                to the position of Provost and Academic Dean, the 
                Secretary shall consult with the Air Force Institute of 
                Technology Subcommittee of the Air University Board of 
                Visitors and shall consider any recommendation of the 
                leadership and faculty of the United States Air Force 
                Institute of Technology regarding an appointment to 
                that position.
            ``(3) Compensation.--The Provost and Academic Dean is 
        entitled to such compensation as the Secretary prescribes, but 
        not more than the rate of compensation authorized for level IV 
        of the Executive Schedule.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 901 of such title is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 9314a the following new 
        item:

``9314b. United States Air Force Institute of Technology: 
                            administration.''.
    (b) Treatment of Current Commandant.--The officer who is serving as 
Commandant of the United States Air Force Institute of Technology at 
the time of the enactment of this Act may serve as acting Commandant 
until the appointment of a Commandant in accordance with section 
9314b(a) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).