120 STAT. 1574
PUBLIC LAW 109–304—OCT. 6, 2006
be ordered to serve on active duty for a period of at least 3 years but not more than the unexpired period (as determined by the Secretary) of the service required by subsection (a)(5). The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall determine in which service the individual shall serve. In cases of hardship as determined by the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Transportation may waive this paragraph in whole or in part. ‘‘(2) RECOVERY OF COST.—If the Secretary of Defense is unable or unwilling to order an individual to serve on active duty under paragraph (1), or if the Secretary of Transportation determines that reimbursement of the cost of education provided would better serve the interests of the United States, the Secretary of Transportation may recover from the individual the cost of education provided. The Secretary may reduce the amount to be recovered to reflect partial performance of service obligations and other factors the Secretary determines merit a reduction. ‘‘(d) ACTIONS TO RECOVER COST.—To aid in the recovery of the cost of education provided by the Government under a commitment agreement under this section, the Secretary of Transportation may— ‘‘(1) request the Attorney General to bring a civil action against the individual; and ‘‘(2) make use of the Federal debt collection procedures in chapter 176 of title 28 or other applicable administrative remedies. ‘‘§ 51307. Places of training ‘‘The Secretary of Transportation may provide for the training of cadets at the United States Merchant Marine Academy— ‘‘(1) on vessels owned or subsidized by the United States Government; ‘‘(2) on other documented vessels, with the permission of the owner; and ‘‘(3) in shipyards or plants and with industrial or educational organizations. ‘‘§ 51308. Uniforms, textbooks, and transportation allowances ‘‘The Secretary of Transportation shall provide cadets at the United States Merchant Marine Academy— ‘‘(1) all required uniforms and textbooks; and ‘‘(2) allowances for transportation (including reimbursement of traveling expenses) when traveling under orders as a cadet. ‘‘§ 51309. Academic degree ‘‘(a) BACHELOR’S DEGREE.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy may confer the degree of bachelor of science on an individual who— ‘‘(A) has met the conditions prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation; and ‘‘(B) if a citizen of the United States, has passed the examination for a merchant marine officer’s license.
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