Southeast. (iii) The Midwest. (iv) The Southwest. (v) The West. (B) Ten additional individuals. (3) Background investigation An individual selected to participate in the fellows program may not participate in the program unless the individual successfully undergoes a background investigation applicable to the position to which the individual will be assigned under the fellows program and otherwise meets such requirements applicable to assignment to a sensitive position within the Department that the Secretary considers appropriate. (e) Assignment (1) In general Each individual who participates in the fellows program shall be assigned to a position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. (2) Position requirements Each Under Secretary of Defense and each Director of a Defense Agency who reports directly to the Secretary shall submit to the Secretary each year the qualifications and skills to be demonstrated by participants in the fellows program to qualify for assignment under this subsection for service in a position of the office of such Under Secretary or Director. (3) Assignment to positions The Secretary shall each year assign participants in the fellows program to positions in the offices of the Under Secretaries and Directors described in paragraph (2). In making such assignments, the Secretary shall seek to best match the qualifications and skills of participants in the fellows program with the requirements of positions available for assignment. Each participant so assigned shall serve as a special assistant to the Under Secretary or Director to whom assigned. (4) Term The term of each assignment under the fellows program shall be one year. (5) Pay and benefits An individual assigned to a position under the fellows program shall be compensated at the rate of compensation for employees at level GS–10 of the General Schedule, and shall be treated as an employee of the United States during the term of assignment, including for purposes of eligibility for health care benefits and retirement benefits