; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: (4) Officer candidate The term officer candidate means an individual who is enrolled in the basic officer training program of the Administration and is under consideration for appointment as an officer under section 221(a)(2)(A). . (d) Pay for officer candidates Section 203 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (f) (1) An officer candidate enrolled in the basic officer training program of the commissioned officer corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is entitled, while participating in such program, to monthly officer candidate pay at monthly rate equal to the basic pay of an enlisted member in the pay grade E–5 with less than 2 years service. (2) An individual who graduates from such program shall receive credit for the time spent participating in such program as if such time were time served while on active duty as a commissioned officer. If the individual does not graduate from such program, such time shall not be considered creditable for active duty or pay. . 307. Procurement of personnel (a) In general Subtitle B ( 33 U.S.C. 3021 et seq.), as amended by section 306(a), is further amended by adding at the end the following: 235. Procurement of personnel The Secretary may make such expenditures as the Secretary considers necessary in order to obtain recruits for the commissioned officer corps of the Administration, including advertising. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections in section 1 of the Act entitled An Act to authorize the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, and for other purposes ( Public Law 107–372 ), as amended by section 306(b), is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 234 the following: 235. Procurement of personnel. . IV Separation and retirement of officers 401. Involuntary retirement or separation Section 241 ( 33 U.S.C. 3041 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (d) Deferment of retirement or separation for medical