Pathway for cadets and midshipmen to play professional sports

(a) Repeal of certain restrictions Section 553 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 2592), and the amendments made by such section, are repealed. (b) Authority (1) United States Military Academy Section 7448(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (A) in paragraph (2), by inserting, except as provided under paragraph (5), after That; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) That, upon graduation, a cadet may seek employment as a professional athlete or Olympic athlete if the cadet is drafted or signs a free agent contract with a professional sports entity, in which case the cadet will incur a five-year service obligation upon employment as a professional or Olympic athlete and will, if no longer employed as a professional or Olympic athlete, return as a regular officer in the active component for a five-year service obligation. If the cadet is ineligible to return to active service, the cadet shall repay the government for the cost of his or her education.. (2) United States Naval Academy Section 8459(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (A) in paragraph (2), by inserting, except as provided under paragraph (5), after That; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) That, upon graduation, a midshipman may seek employment as a professional athlete or Olympic athlete if the midshipman is drafted or signs a free agent contract with a professional sports entity, in which case the midshipman will incur a five-year service obligation upon employment as a professional or Olympic athlete and will, if no longer employed as a professional or Olympic athlete, return as a regular officer in the active component for a five-year service obligation. If the midshipman is ineligible to return to active service, the midshipman shall repay the government for the cost of his or her education.. (3) United States Air Force Academy Section 9448(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (A) in paragraph (2), by inserting, except as provided under paragraph (5), after That; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) That, upon graduation, a cadet may seek employment as a professional athlete or Olympic athlete if the cadet is drafted or signs a free agent contract with a professional sports entity, in which case the cadet will incur a five-year service obligation upon employment as a professional or Olympic athlete and will, if no longer employed as a professional or Olympic athlete, return as a regular officer in the active component for a five-year service obligation. If the cadet is ineligible to return to active service, the cadet shall repay the government for the cost of his or her education..