The Superintendent of the Academy may, under such conditions as the Secretary of the Air Force may prescribe, confer the degree of bachelor of science upon graduates of the Academy.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a cadet who completes the prescribed course of instruction may, upon graduation, be appointed a second lieutenant in the Regular Air Force under section 531 of this title.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 567, § 9353; Pub. L. 85–861, §§ 1(201), 33(a)(43), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1541, 1567; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 504(25), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2917; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title V, § 542(d), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1743; renumbered § 9453, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 806(a)(3), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1832.)