33 USC § 3002 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t33/s3002"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "33 USC § 3002 - Definitions"
title_number: 33
title_name: "NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS"
section_number: "3002"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 43
chapter_name: "NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION COMMISSIONED OFFICER CORPS"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL PROVISIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 212, Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3082; Pub. L. 116–259, title III, § 305(c), Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1173; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXVII, § 11701, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4156.)"
---


# § 3002. Definitions

**(a)** **Applicability of definitions in title 10** section 101 of title 10

Except as provided in subsection (b), the definitions provided in  apply to the provisions of this chapter.

**(b)** **Additional definitions** In this chapter:

**(1)** **Active duty** The term “active duty” means full-time duty in the active service of a uniformed service.

**(2)** **Grade** The term “grade” means a step or degree, in a graduated scale of office or rank, that is established and designated as a grade by law or regulation.

**(3)** **Officer** The term “officer” means an officer of the commissioned corps.

**(4)** **Officer candidate** section 3021(a)(2)(A) of this title

The term “officer candidate” means an individual who is enrolled in the basic officer training program of the Administration and is under consideration for appointment as an officer under .

**(5)** **Flag officer** The term “flag officer” means an officer serving in, or having the grade of, vice admiral, rear admiral, or rear admiral (lower half).

**(6)** **Secretary** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Commerce.

**(7)** **Administration** The term “Administration” means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

**(8)** **Under Secretary** The term “Under Secretary” means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 212, Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3082; Pub. L. 116–259, title III, § 305(c), Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1173; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXVII, § 11701, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4156.)

## Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this title”, meaning title II of , , , which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this title to the Code, see Short Title note set out under  and Tables.

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in  prior to repeal by .

### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (b)(8).  added par. (8).

2020—Subsec. (b)(4) to (7).  added par. (4) and redesignated former pars. (4) to (6) as (5) to (7), respectively.