15 C.F.R. § 998.21 – Purpose.

(a) This subpart establishes policies and procedures for the receipt, computation, and notice of ADSOs for all commissioned officers on the active duty lineal list. It also describes how multiple ADSOs incurred by the same officer are managed.
(b) The ADSOs are intended to assist the NOAA Corps in:
1. (1) Effectively managing its resources and workforce;
2. (2) Accomplishing its assigned missions;
3. (3) Maintaining an experienced and well-qualified officer force; and
4. (4) Ensuring a reasonable return to the NOAA Corps following an expenditure of public funds.
(c) Public funds are expended starting with the commissioning phase through the NOAA Corps Basic Officer Training Class and other commissioning programs. It continues when an officer enters active duty and enters training or education programs to qualify for specialized knowledge and skills.