; and (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) The Secretary may, without regard to the appointment requirements of title 5, United States Code, noncompetitively appoint a highly qualified candidate to a faculty position in the excepted service. . 222. Temporary exemption from authorized end strength for Coast Guard enlisted members on active duty Notwithstanding section 517 of title 10, United States Code, and until October 1, 2027, the authorized end strength for enlisted members on active duty (other than for training) in the Coast Guard in pay grades E–8 and E–9 may be more than 3.0 percent and 1.25 percent respectively of the number of enlisted members of the Coast Guard who are on active duty other than for training. 223. Additional available guidance and considerations for reserve selection boards Section 3740(f) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking section 2117 and inserting sections 2115 and 2117 . 224. Parental leave parity for members of certain reserve components of Coast Guard (a) Parental leave (1) In general Subchapter I of chapter 29 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 2907. Parental leave for members of certain reserve components of Coast Guard (a) (1) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a member of the reserve component of the Coast Guard described in subsection (b) is allowed parental leave for a duration of up to 12 inactive-duty training periods, under section 206 of title 37, during the one-year period beginning after the following events: (A) the birth or adoption of a child of the member and to care for such child