(a) A noncommissioned officer of an armed force who, immediately following the completion of service as the senior enlisted member of that armed force, is placed on terminal leave pending retirement shall be entitled, for not more than 60 days while in such status, to the rate of basic pay authorized for the senior enlisted member of that armed force. (b) A noncommissioned officer of an armed force who is hospitalized and who, during or immediately before such hospitalization, completed service as the senior enlisted member of that armed force, shall continue to be entitled, for not more than 180 days while so hospitalized, to the rate of basic pay authorized for the senior enlisted member of that armed force. (c) In this section, the term "senior enlisted member" means the following: (1) The Sergeant Major of the Army. (2) The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. (3) The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. (4) The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. (5) The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard.