24 U.S.C. § 417 — Administrators, Ombudsmen, and staff of facilities

(a) Appointment The Secretary of Defense appoints an Administrator and an Ombudsman for each facility of the Retirement Home. (b) Administrator The Administrator of a facility must be either a civilian with experience as a continuing care retirement community professional, or a member of the Armed Forces on active duty in a grade below brigadier general (or, in the Navy, rear admiral lower half). The Administrator must have appropriate leadership and management skills. If not already certified, the Administrator must pursue a course of study to become certified as a retirement facilities director by an appropriate civilian certifying organization. The Administrator serves at the pleasure of the Secretary of Defense. (c) Duties of the Administrator (1) The Administrator of a facility is responsible for the facility's day-to-day operation, including accepting applicants as residents. (2) The Administrator must keep accurate and complete records of the facility. (d) Ombudsman (1) The Ombudsman of a facility must be a member of the Armed Forces on active duty in the grade of Sergeant Major, Master Chief Petty Officer, or Chief Master Sergeant (or a member or former member retired in that grade), and must have appropriate leadership and management skills. (2) The Ombudsman also serves at the pleasure of the Secretary of Defense. (e) Duties of the Ombudsman (1) Under the authority, direction, and control of the facility's Administrator, the Ombudsman serves as ombudsman for the residents and performs whatever other duties the Administrator assigns. (2) The Ombudsman may provide information to the Administrator, the Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Medical Advisor, and the Secretary of Defense. (f) Staff (1) Subject to the Chief Operating Officer's approval, the Administrator may appoint and set the pay of whatever principal staff the Administrator considers appropriate to help operate the facility. (2) That principal staff must include people with experience and expertise in operating and managing retirement homes and in providing long-term medical care for older persons. (g) Annual evaluation of Administrators (1) The Chief Operating Officer evaluates the performance of each facility's Administrator every year. (2) Based on that annual evaluation, the Chief Operating Officer submits to the Secretary of Defense any recommendations about that Administrator that the Chief Operating Officer considers appropriate.