(b)
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, an officer of a uniformed service who—
(1)
is entitled to basic pay;
(2)
is below the pay grade of O–7;
(3)
holds a degree in engineering or science from an accredited college or university;
(4)
has been certified by the Secretary concerned as having the technical qualifications for detail to engineering or scientific duty;
(5)
has completed at least three but less than nineteen years of engineering or scientific duty as an officer; and
(6)
executes a written agreement to remain on active duty for detail to engineering or scientific duty for at least one year, but not more than four years;
may, upon acceptance of the written agreement by the Secretary concerned, be paid, in addition to all other compensation to which the officer is entitled, an amount not to exceed $3,000 multiplied by the number of years, or monthly fraction thereof, of obligated service to which the officer agrees under the agreement. The total amount payable may be paid in a lump sum or in equal periodic installments, as determined by the Secretary concerned.