; and (2) by amending subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows: (e) Appointment during participation in fellows program (1) In general The Secretary of Defense shall appoint each individual who participates in the fellows program to an excepted service position in an element of the Department. (2) Placement opportunities Each year, the head of each element of the Department shall submit to the Secretary an identification of placement opportunities for participants in the fellows program. Such placement opportunities shall provide for leadership development and potential commencement of a career track toward a position of senior leadership in the Department. (3) Qualification requirements The Secretary, in coordination with the heads of elements of the Department, shall establish qualification requirements for the appointment of participants under paragraph (1). (4) Matching qualifications, skills, and requirements In making appointments under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall seek to best match the qualifications and skills of the participants with the requirements for positions available for appointment. (5) Term The term of each appointment under the fellows program shall be one year, but the Secretary may extend a term of appointment up to one additional year. (6) Grade The Secretary shall appoint an individual under paragraph (1) to a position at the level of GS–10, GS–11, or GS–12 of the General Schedule based on the directly related qualifications, skills, and professional experience of the individual. (7) Education loan repayment To the extent that funds are provided in advance in appropriations Acts, the Secretary may repay a loan of a participant in the fellows program if the loan is described by subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 16301(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code. Any repayment of a loan under this paragraph may require a minimum service agreement, as determined by the Secretary. (8) Element of the Department defined In this subsection, the term element of the Department means an