; (2) if no longer a member of the commissioned officer corps of the Administration, was not discharged or released therefrom as part of a disciplinary action; and (3) has been separated or released from service in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration for a period of not more than 5 years. (c) Effective date This section shall apply with respect to appointments made in fiscal year 2017 and in each fiscal year thereafter. III Appointments and promotion of officers 301. Appointments (a) Original appointments Section 221 ( 33 U.S.C. 3021 ) is amended to read as follows: 221. Original appointments and reappointments (a) Original appointments (1) Grades (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an original appointment of an officer may be made in such grades as may be appropriate for— (i) the qualification, experience, and length of service of the appointee; and (ii) the commissioned officer corps of the Administration. (B) Appointment of officer candidates (i) Limitation on grade An original appointment of an officer candidate, upon graduation from the basic officer training program of the commissioned officer corps of the Administration, may not be made in any other grade than ensign. (ii) Rank Officer candidates receiving appointments as ensigns upon graduation from basic officer training program shall take rank according to their proficiency as shown by the order of their merit at date of graduation. (2) Source of appointments An original appointment may be made from among the following: (A) Graduates of the basic officer training program of the commissioned officer corps of the Administration. (B) Graduates of the military service academies of the United States who otherwise meet the academic standards for enrollment in the training program described in subparagraph (A). (C) Graduates of the maritime academies of the States who— (i) otherwise meet the academic standards for enrollment in the training program described in subparagraph (A)