(B) Civilian legal professionals in the Department occupying legal or similar positions, as determined by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of the pilot program, that require eligibility to practice law in a State or territory of the United States. (2) Inapplicability to SES positions The pilot program shall not apply to positions within the Senior Executive Service under subchapter VIII of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code. (c) Direct-appointment authority (1) Inapplicability of general civil service appointment authorities to appointments Under the pilot program, the Secretary of Defense, with respect to the Defense Agencies, and the Secretary of the military department concerned, with respect to the military departments, may appoint qualified candidates as cybersecurity and legal professionals without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Appointment on direct-hire basis Appointments under the pilot program shall be made on a direct-hire basis. (d) Term appointments (1) Renewable term appointments Each individual shall serve with the Department of Defense as a cybersecurity or legal professional under the pilot program pursuant to an initial appointment to service with the Department for a term of not less than 2 years nor more than 8 years. Any term of appointment under the pilot program may be renewed for one or more additional terms of not less than 2 years nor more than 8 years as provided in subsection (h). (2) Length of terms The length of the term of appointment to a position under the pilot program shall be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense taking into account the national security, mission, and other applicable requirements of the position. Positions having identical or similar requirements or terms may be grouped into categories for purposes of the pilot program. The Secretary may delegate any authority in this paragraph to a commissioned officer of the Armed Forces in pay grade O–7 or above or an employee in the Department in the