PART III—PROMOTION AND RETENTION OF OFFICERS ON THE RESERVE ACTIVE-STATUS LIST
1401.
Applicability and Reserve Active-Status Lists
14001
1403.
Selection Boards
14101
1407.
Failure of Selection for Promotion and Involuntary Separation
14501
1409.
Continuation of Officers on the Reserve Active-Status List and Selective Early Removal
14701
1411.
Additional Provisions Relating to Involuntary Separation
14901
1413.
Alternative promotion authority for officers in designated competitive categories
115101
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2023—Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §514(b), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 248, added item for chapter 1413.
CHAPTER 1401—APPLICABILITY AND RESERVE ACTIVE-STATUS LISTS
14001.
Applicability of this part.
14002.
Reserve active-status lists: requirement for each armed force.
14003.
Reserve active-status lists: position of officers on the list.
14004.
Reserve active-status lists: eligibility for Reserve promotion.
14005.
Competitive categories.
14006.
Determination of years in grade.
§14001. Applicability of this part
This chapter and chapters 1403 through 1411 of this title apply, as appropriate, to all reserve officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps except warrant officers.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2922.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
Effects of Selection for Promotion and Failure of Selection for Army and Air Force Officers
Section 1682 of title XVI of div. A of Pub. L. 103–337 provided that:
"(a) Promotions To Fill Vacancies.—A reserve commissioned officer of the Army or Air Force (other than a commissioned warrant officer) who, on the day before the effective date of this title [Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title], is recommended for promotion to fill a vacancy in the Army Reserve or the Air Force Reserve under section 3383, 3384, 8372, or 8373 of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title, in the next higher reserve grade shall be considered to have been recommended for promotion to that grade by a vacancy promotion board under section 14101(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title.
"(b) Promotions Other Than To Fill Vacancies.—A reserve officer of the Army or Air Force who, on the day before the effective date of this title, is recommended for promotion under section 3366, 3367, 3370, 3371, 8366, or 8371 of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title, to a reserve grade higher than the grade in which the officer is serving shall be considered to have been recommended for promotion by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title.
"(c) Officers Found Qualified for Promotion to First Lieutenant.—A reserve officer of the Army or Air Force who, on the effective date of this title, holds the grade of second lieutenant and has been found qualified for promotion to the grade of first lieutenant in accordance with section 3365, 3382, or 8365 of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title, shall be promoted to that grade on the date on which the officer would have been promoted under the provisions of chapter 337 or 837 of such title, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title, unless sooner promoted under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force under section 14308(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title.
"(d) Officers Once Failed of Selection.—(1) A reserve officer of the Army in the grade of first lieutenant, captain, or major who, on the day before the effective date of this title, has been considered once but not recommended for promotion to the next higher reserve grade under section 3366 or 3367 of title 10, United States Code, or a reserve officer of the Air Force in the grade of first lieutenant, captain, or major who, on the day before the effective date of this title, is a deferred officer within the meaning of section 8368 of such title, shall be considered to have been considered once but not selected for promotion by a board convened under section 14101(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title. If the officer is later considered for promotion by a selection board convened under that section and is not selected for promotion (or is selected for promotion but declines to accept the promotion), the officer shall be considered for all purposes to have twice failed of selection for promotion.
"(2) In the case of a reserve officer of the Army or Air Force in an active status who, on the day before the effective date of this title, is in the grade of first lieutenant, captain, or major and whose name has been removed, under the provisions of section 3363(f) of title 10, United States Code, from a list of officers recommended for promotion or who has previously not been promoted because the President declined to appoint the officer in the next higher grade under section 8377 of such title as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title, or whose name was removed from a list of officers recommended for promotion to the next higher grade because the Senate did not consent to the officer's appointment, if the officer is later considered for promotion by a selection board convened by section 14101(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title, and (A) is not selected for promotion, (B) is selected for promotion but removed from the list of officers recommended or approved for promotion, or (C) is selected for promotion but declines to accept the promotion, the officer shall be considered for all purposes to have twice failed of selection for promotion.
"(e) Officers Twice Failed of Selection.—A reserve officer of the Army or Air Force in an active status who, on the day before the effective date of this title, is in the grade of first lieutenant, captain, or major and on that date is subject to be treated as prescribed in section 3846 or 8846 of title 10, United States Code, shall continue to be governed by that section as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title.
"(f) Officers With Approved Promotion Declinations in Effect.—A reserve officer of the Army who, on the day before the effective date of this title, has declined a promotion under subsection (f) or (g) of section 3364 of title 10, United States Code, shall while carried on the reserve active status list be subject to the provisions of subsections (h), (i), and (j) of such section, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title, except that the name of an officer to whom this section applies shall be placed on a promotion list under section 14308(a) of title 10, United States Code (as added by this title), and, at the end of the approved period of declination, shall be considered to have failed of promotion if the officer again declines to accept the promotion.
"(g) Covered Officers.—This section applies to reserve officers of the Army and Air Force who—
"(1) on the day before the effective date of this title are in an active status; and
"(2) on the effective date of this title are subject to placement on the reserve active-status list of the Army or the Air Force."
Effects of Selection for Promotion and Failure of Selection for Navy and Marine Corps Officers
Section 1683 of title XVI of div. A of Pub. L. 103–337 provided that:
"(a) Recommendations for Promotion.—An officer covered by this section who, on the day before the effective date of this title [Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title], has been recommended for promotion to a reserve grade higher than the grade in which the officer is serving shall be considered to have been recommended for promotion to that grade under section 14101(a) of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title.
"(b) Failures of Selection.—An officer covered by this section who, on the day before the effective date of this title is considered to have failed of selection for promotion one or more times under chapter 549 of title 10, United States Code, to a grade below captain, in the case of a reserve officer of the Navy, or to a grade below colonel, in the case of a reserve officer of the Marine Corps, shall be subject to chapters 1405 and 1407 of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title, as if such failure or failures had occurred under the provisions of those chapters.
"(c) Officers Other Than Covered Officers Recommended for Promotion.—A reserve officer of the Navy or Marine Corps who on the day before the effective date of this title (1) has been recommended for promotion in the approved report of a selection board convened under chapter 549 of title 10, United States Code, and (2) was on the active-duty list of the Navy or Marine Corps may be promoted under that chapter, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title.
"(d) Officers Found Qualified for Promotion to Lieutenant (Junior Grade) or First Lieutenant.—A covered officer who, on the effective date of this title, holds the grade of second lieutenant and has been found qualified for promotion in accordance with section 5908 or 5910 of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title, shall be promoted on the date on which the officer would have been promoted under the provisions of chapter 549 of such title, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title, unless sooner promoted under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy under section 14307(b) of such title, as added by this title.
"(e) Officers Whose Names Have Been Omitted From a List Furnished to a Selection Board.—A covered officer whose name, as of the effective date of this title, had been omitted by administrative error from the list of officers furnished the most recent selection board to consider officers of the same grade and component, shall be considered by a special selection board established under section 14502 of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title. If the officer is selected for promotion by that board, the officer shall be promoted as specified in section 5904 of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title.
"(f) Covered Officers.—Except as provided in subsection (c), this section applies to any reserve officer of the Navy or Marine Corps who (1) before the effective date of this title is in an active status, and (2) on the effective date of this title is subject to placement on the reserve active-status list of the Navy or Marine Corps."
§14002. Reserve active-status lists: requirement for each armed force
(a) The Secretary of each military department shall maintain a single list, to be known as the reserve active-status list, for each armed force under the Secretary's jurisdiction. That list shall include the names of all reserve officers of that armed force who are in an active status other than those on an active-duty list described in section 620 of this title or warrant officers (including commissioned warrant officers).
(b) The reserve active-status list for the Army shall include officers in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard of the United States. The reserve active-status list for the Air Force shall include officers in the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard of the United States. The Secretary of the Navy shall maintain separate lists for the Navy Reserve and the Marine Corps Reserve.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2922; amended Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §515(b)(1)(OO), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3234.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted "Navy Reserve" for "Naval Reserve".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
Establishment of Reserve Active-Status List
Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1686, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3024, provided that:
"(a) Six-Month Deadline.—Not later than six months after the effective date of this title [Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title], the Secretary of the military department concerned shall ensure that—
"(1) all officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps who are required to be placed on the reserve active-status list of their Armed Force under section 14002 of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title, shall be placed on the list for their armed force and in their competitive category; and
"(2) the relative seniority of those officers on each such list shall be established.
"(b) Regulations.—The Secretary concerned shall prescribe regulations for the establishment of relative seniority. The Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Air Force shall, in prescribing such regulations, provide for the consideration of both promotion service established under section 3360(b) or 8360(e) of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title, and total commissioned service established under section 3360(c) or 8366(e) of such title, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title. An officer placed on a reserve active-status list in accordance with this section shall be considered to have been on the list as of the effective date of this title."
Preservation of Relative Seniority Under Initial Establishment of Reserve Active-Status List
Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1687, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3025, provided that: "In order to maintain the relative seniority among reserve officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps as determined under section 1686 [set out above], the Secretary of the military department concerned may, during the one-year period beginning on the effective date of this title [Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title], adjust the date of rank of any reserve officer of such Armed Force who was in an active status but not on the active-duty list on such effective date."
§14003. Reserve active-status lists: position of officers on the list
(a) Position on List.—Officers shall be carried on the reserve active-status list of the armed force of which they are members in the order of seniority of the grade in which they are serving in an active status. Officers serving in the same grade shall be carried in the order of their rank in that grade.
(b) Effect on Position Held by Reason of Temporary Appointment or Assignment.—An officer whose position on the reserve active-status list results from service under a temporary appointment or in a grade held by reason of assignment to a position has, when that appointment or assignment ends, the grade and position on that list that the officer would have held if the officer had not received that appointment or assignment.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2923; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(b)(22), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 497.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1996—Pub. L. 104–106 inserted "lists" in section catchline.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective as if included in the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of Pub. L. 103–337, as enacted on Oct. 5, 1994, see section 1501(f)(3) of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14004. Reserve active-status lists: eligibility for Reserve promotion
Except as otherwise provided by law, an officer must be on a reserve active-status list to be eligible under chapter 1405 of this title for consideration for selection for promotion or for promotion.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2923.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14005. Competitive categories
Each officer whose name appears on a reserve active-status list shall be placed in a competitive category. The competitive categories for each armed force shall be specified by the Secretary of the military department concerned under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. Officers in the same competitive category shall compete among themselves for promotion.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2923.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14006. Determination of years in grade
For the purpose of chapters 1403 through 1411 of this title, an officer's years of service in a grade are computed from the officer's date of rank in grade as determined under section 741(d) of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2923.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
CHAPTER 1403—SELECTION BOARDS
14101.
Convening of selection boards.
14102.
Selection boards: appointment and composition.
14104.
Nondisclosure of board proceedings.
14105.
Notice of convening of promotion board.
14106.
Communication with board by officers under consideration.
14107.
Information furnished by the Secretary concerned to promotion boards.
14108.
Recommendations by promotion boards.
14109.
Reports of promotion boards: in general.
14110.
Reports of promotion boards: review by Secretary.
14111.
Reports of selection boards: transmittal to President.
14112.
Dissemination of names of officers selected.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §547(d)(2), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2216, substituted "Nondisclosure" for "Confidentiality" in item 14104.
1996—Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(b)(23), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 497, substituted "promotion" for "selection" in item 14105.
§14101. Convening of selection boards
(a) Promotion Boards.—(1) Whenever the needs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps require, the Secretary concerned shall convene a selection board to recommend for promotion to the next higher grade, under chapter 1405 of this title, officers on the reserve active-status list of that armed force in a permanent grade from first lieutenant through brigadier general or, in the case of the Navy Reserve, lieutenant (junior grade) through rear admiral (lower half). A selection board convened under this subsection shall be known as a "promotion board".
(2) A promotion board convened to recommend reserve officers of the Army or reserve officers of the Air Force for promotion (A) to fill a position vacancy under section 14315 of this title, or (B) to the grade of brigadier general or major general, shall be known as a "vacancy promotion board". Any other promotion board convened under this subsection shall be known as a "mandatory promotion board".
(3) Paragraph (1) does not require the convening of a selection board in the case of officers in the permanent grade of first lieutenant or, in the case of the Navy, lieutenant (junior grade) when the Secretary concerned recommends for promotion to the next higher grade under section 14308(b)(4) of this title all such officers whom the Secretary finds to be fully qualified for promotion.
(b) Selective Early Separation Boards.—Whenever the needs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps require, the Secretary concerned may convene a selection board to recommend officers of that armed force—
(1) for selective early removal from the reserve active-status list under section 14704 of this title; or
(2) for selective early retirement under section 14705 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2924; amended Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title V, §514(a), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1732; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §505(b)(3), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1087; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title V, §511(b)(1), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1459; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §515(b)(1)(PP), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3234.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted "Navy Reserve" for "Naval Reserve".
2003—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–136, §511(b)(1)(A), (D), substituted "Selective Early Separation Boards" for "Continuation Boards" in heading and struck out concluding provisions which read as follows: "A selection board convened under this subsection shall be known as a 'continuation board'."
Subsec. (b)(1) to (3). Pub. L. 108–136, §511(b)(1)(B), (C), redesignated pars. (2) and (3) as (1) and (2), respectively, and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: "for continuation on the reserve active-status list under section 14701 of this title;".
2001—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 107–107 added par. (3).
1997—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 105–85 struck out "(except in the case of a board convened to consider officers as provided in section 14301(e) of this title)" before "be known as a 'vacancy promotion board'."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14102. Selection boards: appointment and composition
(a) Appointment.—Members of selection boards convened under section 14101 of this title shall be appointed by the Secretary of the military department concerned in accordance with this section. Promotion boards and special selection boards shall consist of five or more officers. Selection boards convened under section 14101(b) of this title shall consist of three or more officers. All of the officers of any such selection board shall be of the same armed force as the officers under consideration by the board.
(b) Composition.—At least one-half of the members of such a selection board shall be reserve officers, to include at least one reserve officer from each reserve component from which officers are to be considered by the board. Each member of a selection board must hold a permanent grade higher than the grade of the officers under consideration by the board, and no member of a board may hold a grade below major or lieutenant commander. The members of a selection board shall represent the diverse population of the armed force concerned to the extent practicable.
(c) Representation of Competitive Categories.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a selection board shall include at least one officer from each competitive category of officers to be considered by the board.
(2) A selection board need not include an officer from a competitive category to be considered by the board if there is no officer of that competitive category on the reserve active-status list or the active-duty list in a permanent grade higher than the grade of the officers to be considered by the board and otherwise eligible to serve on the board. However, in such a case, the Secretary of the military department concerned, in his discretion, may appoint as a member of the board a retired officer of that competitive category who is in the same armed force as the officers under consideration by the board who holds a higher grade than the grade of the officers under consideration.
(d) Prohibition of Service on Consecutive Promotion Boards.—No officer may be a member of two successive promotion boards convened under section 14101(a) of this title for the consideration of officers of the same competitive category and grade if the second of the two boards is to consider any officer who was considered and not recommended for promotion to the next higher grade by the first of the two boards.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2924; amended Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title V, §511(b)(2), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1459; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, §503(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3565.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3362(b), (c), 5893(a), (b), and 8362(b), (c) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1).
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–283 inserted at end: "The members of a selection board shall represent the diverse population of the armed force concerned to the extent practicable."
2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–136 substituted "Selection boards convened under section 14101(b) of this title" for "Continuation boards".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14103. Oath of members
Each member of a selection board convened under section 14101 of this title shall take an oath to perform the duties of a member of the board without prejudice or partiality, having in view both the special fitness of officers and the efficiency of the member's armed force.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2925.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3362(d), 5894, and 8362(d) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14104. Nondisclosure of board proceedings
(a) Prohibition on Disclosure.—The proceedings of a selection board convened under section 14101 or 14502 of this title may not be disclosed to any person not a member of the board, except as authorized or required to process the report of the board. This prohibition is a statutory exemption from disclosure, as described in section 552(b)(3) of title 5.
(b) Prohibited Uses of Board Discussions, Deliberations, Notes, and Records.—The discussions and deliberations of a selection board described in subsection (a) and any written or documentary record of such discussions and deliberations—
(1) are immune from legal process;
(2) may not be admitted as evidence; and
(3) may not be used for any purpose in any action, suit, or judicial or administrative proceeding without the consent of the Secretary of the military department concerned.
(c) Applicability.—This section applies to all selection boards convened under section 14101 or 14502 of this title, regardless of the date on which the board was convened.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2925; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §547(b), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2216; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title V, §503(c), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4208.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 5898(e) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(b)(2).
Amendments
2011—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–383, §503(c)(1), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The proceedings of a selection board convened under section 14101 of this title may not be disclosed to any person not a member of the board."
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–383, §503(c)(2), substituted "Notes, and Records" for "and Records" in heading.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–383, §503(c)(3), added subsec. (c).
2006—Pub. L. 109–364 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Except as otherwise authorized or required by law, the proceedings of a selection board convened under section 14101 of this title may not be disclosed to any person not a member of the board."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
This section, as amended by Pub. L. 109–364, applicable with respect to the proceedings of all selection boards convened under section 14101 of this title, including selection boards convened before Oct. 17, 2006, see section 547(c) of Pub. L. 109–364, set out as an Effective Date note under section 613a of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14105. Notice of convening of promotion board
(a) Required Notice.—At least 30 days before a promotion board is convened under section 14101(a) of this title to consider officers in a grade and competitive category for promotion to the next higher grade, the Secretary concerned shall either (1) notify in writing the officers eligible for consideration by the board for promotion regarding the convening of the board, or (2) issue a general written notice to the armed force concerned regarding the convening of the board.
(b) Content of Notice.—A notice under subsection (a) shall include the date on which the board is to convene and (except in the case of a vacancy promotion board) the name and date of rank of the junior officer, and of the senior officer, in the promotion zone as of the date of the notice.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2925.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14106. Communication with board by officers under consideration
Subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned, an officer eligible for consideration by a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title who is in the promotion zone or above the promotion zone, or who is to be considered by a vacancy promotion board, may send a written communication to the board calling attention to any matter concerning the officer which the officer considers important to the officer's case. Any such communication shall be sent so as to arrive not later than 10 calendar days before the date on which the board convenes. The board shall give consideration to any timely communication under this section.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2925; amended Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §505(b), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3227; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title V, §501(b), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1373.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3362(f), 5900, and 8362(f) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1).
Amendments
2017—Pub. L. 115–91 substituted "10 calendar days" for "the day".
2006—Pub. L. 109–163 inserted "the day before" after "not later than".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–91 applicable with respect to promotion selection boards convened on or after Dec. 12, 2017, see section 501(c) of Pub. L. 115–91, set out as a note under section 614 of this title.
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–163 effective Mar. 1, 2006, and applicable with respect to selection boards convened on or after that date, see section 505(c) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 614 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14107. Information furnished by the Secretary concerned to promotion boards
(a) Integrity of the Promotion Selection Board Process.—(1) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations governing information furnished to selection boards convened under section 14101(a) of this title. Those regulations shall apply uniformly among the military departments. Any regulations prescribed by the Secretary of a military department to supplement those regulations may not take effect without the approval of the Secretary of Defense in writing.
(2) No information concerning a particular eligible officer may be furnished to a selection board except for the following:
(A) Information that is in the officer's official military personnel file and that is provided to the selection board in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to paragraph (1).
(B) Other information that is determined by the Secretary of the military department concerned, after review by that Secretary in accordance with standards and procedures set out in the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to paragraph (1), to be substantiated, relevant information that could reasonably and materially affect the deliberations of the promotion board.
(C) Subject to such limitations as may be prescribed in those regulations, information communicated to the board by the officer in accordance with this section, section 14106 of this title (including any comment on information referred to in subparagraph (A) regarding that officer), or other applicable law.
(D) A factual summary of the information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) that, in accordance with the regulations prescribed pursuant to paragraph (1) is prepared by administrative personnel for the purpose of facilitating the work of the selection board.
(3)(A) In the case of an eligible officer considered for promotion to a grade above lieutenant colonel, or, in the case of the Navy, commander, any credible information of an adverse nature, including any substantiated adverse finding or conclusion from an officially documented investigation or inquiry, shall be furnished to the selection board in accordance with standards and procedures set out in the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to paragraph (1).
(B) The standards and procedures referred to in subparagraph (A) shall require the furnishing to the selection board, and to each individual member of the board, the information described in that subparagraph with regard to an officer in a grade specified in that subparagraph at each stage or phase of the selection board, concurrent with the screening, rating, assessment, evaluation, discussion, or other consideration by the board or member of the official military personnel file of the officer, or of the officer.
(C) With respect to the consideration of an officer for promotion to a grade at or below major general or, in the Navy, rear admiral, the requirements in subparagraphs (A) and (B) may be met through the convening and actions of a special selection board with respect to the officer under section 14502a of this title.
(4) Information provided to a promotion board in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be made available to all members of the board and shall be made a part of the record of the board. Communication of such information shall be in a written form or in the form of an audio or video recording. If a communication is in the form of an audio or video recording, a written transcription of the recording shall also be made a part of the record of the promotion board.
(5) Paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) do not apply to the furnishing of appropriate administrative processing information to the promotion board by an administrative staff designated to assist the board, but only to the extent that oral communications are necessary to facilitate the work of the board.
(6) Information furnished to a promotion board that is described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (2), or in paragraph (3), may not be furnished to a later promotion board unless—
(A) the information has been properly placed in the official military personnel file of the officer concerned; or
(B) the information is provided to the later selection board in accordance with paragraph (2) or (3), as applicable.
(7)(A) Before information described in paragraph (2)(B) or (3) regarding an eligible officer is furnished to a selection board, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall ensure—
(i) that such information is made available to such officer; and
(ii) that the officer is afforded a reasonable opportunity to submit comments on that information to the promotion board.
(B) If an officer cannot be given access to the information referred to in subparagraph (A) because of its classification status, the officer shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be furnished an appropriate summary of the information.
(b) Information To Be Furnished.—The Secretary of the military department concerned shall furnish to a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title the following:
(1) In the case of a mandatory promotion board, the maximum number (as determined in accordance with section 14307 of this title) of officers in each competitive category under consideration that the board is authorized to recommend for promotion to the next higher grade.
(2) The name of each officer in each competitive category under consideration who is to be considered by the board for promotion.
(3) The pertinent records (as determined by the Secretary) of each officer whose name is furnished to the board.
(4) Information or guidelines relating to the needs of the armed force concerned for officers having particular skills, including (except in the case of a vacancy promotion board) guidelines or information relating to either a minimum number or a maximum number of officers with particular skills within a competitive category.
(5) Such other information or guidelines as the Secretary concerned may determine to be necessary to enable the board to perform its functions.
(c) Limitation on Modifying Furnished Information.—Information or guidelines furnished to a selection board under subsection (a) may not be modified, withdrawn, or supplemented after the board submits its report to the Secretary of the military department concerned pursuant to section 14109(a) of this title. However, in the case of a report returned to a board pursuant to section 14110(a) of this title for further proceedings because of a determination by the Secretary of the military department concerned that the board acted contrary to law, regulation, or guidelines, the Secretary may modify, withdraw, or supplement such information or guidelines as part of a written explanation to the board as provided in that section.
(d) Officers in Health-Professions Competitive Categories.—The Secretary of each military department, under uniform regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, shall include in guidelines furnished to a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title that is considering officers in a health-professions competitive category for promotion to a grade below colonel or, in the case of officers of the Navy Reserve, captain, a direction that the board give consideration to an officer's clinical proficiency and skill as a health professional to at least as great an extent as the board gives to the officer's administrative and management skills.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2926; amended Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §§506(b), 515(b)(1)(QQ), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3227, 3234; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, §505(d), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3573.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in subsec. (b) of this section were contained in section 5895 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(b)(2).
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, §505(d)(2), which directed amendment of subpar. (A) by substituting "lieutenant colonel, or, in the case of the Navy, commander" for "colonel, or, in the case of the Navy, captain", was executed by making the substitution for "colonel or, in the case of the Navy, captain" to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 116–283, §505(d)(1), designated existing provisions of par. (3) as subpar. (A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B), (C). Pub. L. 116–283, §505(d)(3), added subpars. (B) and (C).
2006—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–163, §506(b)(1)(B), added par. (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 109–163, §506(b)(1)(A), (2)(A), redesignated par. (3) as (4) and substituted "paragraphs (2) and (3)" for "paragraph (2)". Former par. (4) redesignated (5).
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 109–163, §506(b)(1)(A), (2)(B), redesignated par. (4) as (5) and substituted ", (3), and (4)" for "and (3)". Former par. (5) redesignated (6).
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 109–163, §506(b)(1)(A), (2)(C)(i), redesignated par. (5) as (6) and inserted ", or in paragraph (3)," after "paragraph (2)" in introductory provisions. Former par. (6) redesignated (7).
Subsec. (a)(6)(B). Pub. L. 109–163, §506(b)(2)(C)(ii), inserted "or (3), as applicable" after "paragraph (2)".
Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 109–163, §506(b)(1)(A), redesignated par. (6) as (7).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A). Pub. L. 109–163, §506(b)(2)(D), inserted "or (3)" after "paragraph (2)(B)".
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–163, §515(b)(1)(QQ), substituted "Navy Reserve" for "Naval Reserve".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 506(b) of Pub. L. 109–163 effective Oct. 1, 2006, and applicable with respect to promotion selection boards convened on or after that date, see section 506(c) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 615 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14108. Recommendations by promotion boards
(a) Recommendation of Best Qualified Officers.—A promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title shall recommend for promotion to the next higher grade those officers considered by the board whom the board considers best qualified for promotion within each competitive category considered by the board or, in the case of a vacancy promotion board, among those officers considered to fill a vacancy. In determining those officers who are best qualified for promotion, the board shall give due consideration to the needs of the armed force concerned for officers with particular skills (as noted in the guidelines or information furnished the board under section 14107 of this title).
(b) Actions Required.—A promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title may not recommend an officer for promotion unless—
(1) the officer receives the recommendation of a majority of the members of the board;
(2) a majority of the members of the board finds that the officer is fully qualified for promotion; and
(3) a majority of the members of the board, after consideration by all members of the board of any adverse information about the officer that is provided to the board under section 14107 of this title, finds that the officer is among the officers best qualified for promotion to meet the needs of the armed force concerned consistent with the requirement of exemplary conduct set forth in section 7233, 8167, or 9233 of this title, as applicable.
(c) Board Recommendation Required for Promotion.—Except as otherwise provided by law, an officer on the reserve active-status list may not be promoted to a higher grade under chapter 1405 of this title unless the officer is considered and recommended for promotion to that grade by a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title (or by a special selection board convened under section 14502 of this title).
(d) Disclosure of Board Recommendations.—The recommendations of a promotion board may be disclosed only in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. Those recommendations may not be disclosed to a person not a member of the board (or a member of the administrative staff designated by the Secretary concerned to assist the board) until the written report of the recommendations of the board, required by section 14109 of this title, is signed by each member of the board.
(e) Prohibition of Coercion and Unauthorized Influence of Actions of Board Members.—The Secretary convening a promotion board under section 14101(a) of this title, and an officer or other official exercising authority over any member of a selection board, may not—
(1) censure, reprimand, or admonish the selection board or any member of the board with respect to the recommendations of the board or the exercise of any lawful function within the authorized discretion of the board; or
(2) attempt to coerce or, by any unauthorized means, influence any action of a promotion board or any member of a promotion board in the formulation of the board's recommendations.
(f) Higher Placement of Officers of Particular Merit on Promotion List.—(1) In selecting officers to be recommended for promotion, a promotion board may, when authorized by the Secretary concerned, recommend that officers of particular merit, from among those officers selected for promotion, be placed higher on the promotion list established by the Secretary under section 14308(a) of this title.
(2) A promotion board may make a recommendation under paragraph (1) only if an officer receives the recommendation of—
(A) a majority of the members of the promotion board; or
(B) an alternative requirement established by the Secretary concerned and furnished to the promotion board as part of the guidelines under section 14107 of this title.
(3) For officers who receive recommendations under paragraph (1), the board shall recommend the order in which those officers should be placed on the promotion list.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2928; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §512(b), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2184; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1840; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §510(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1347.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3362(e), 5893(c), 5896, and 8362(e) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1).
Amendments
2019—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 116–92 added subsec. (f).
2018—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "section 7233, 8167, or 9233" for "section 3583, 5947, or 8583".
2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–364, §512(b)(1), substituted "Actions" for "Majority" in heading.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 109–364, §512(b)(2)–(4), added par. (3).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–364 effective Oct. 17, 2006, and applicable with respect to selection boards convened on or after that date, see section 512(c) of Pub. L. 109–364, set out as a note under section 616 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14109. Reports of promotion boards: in general
(a) Report of Officers Recommended for Promotion.—Each promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title shall submit to the Secretary of the military department concerned a report in writing containing a list of the names of the officers recommended by the board for promotion. The report shall be signed by each member of the board.
(b) Certification.—Each report under subsection (a) shall include a certification—
(1) that the board has carefully considered the record of each officer whose name was furnished to the board; and
(2) that, in the case of a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title, in the opinion of a majority of the members of the board, the officers recommended for promotion by the board are best qualified for promotion to meet the needs of the armed force concerned (as noted in the guidelines or information furnished the board under section 14107 of this title) among those officers whose names were furnished to the selection board.
(c) Show-Cause Recommendations.—(1) A promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title shall include in its report to the Secretary concerned the name of any reserve officer before it for consideration for promotion whose record, in the opinion of a majority of the members of the board, indicates that the officer should be required to show cause for retention in an active status.
(2) If such a report names an officer as having a record which indicates that the officer should be required to show cause for retention, the Secretary concerned may provide for the review of the record of that officer as provided under regulations prescribed under section 14902 of this title.
(d) Report of Officers Recommended for Higher Placement on Promotion List.—A promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title shall, when authorized under section 14108(f) of this title, include in its report to the Secretary concerned—
(1) the names of those officers the promotion board recommends be placed higher on the promotion list; and
(2) the order in which the promotion board recommends those officers should be placed on the promotion list.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2928; amended Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §510(b), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1347.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in subsecs. (a) and (b) of this section were contained in section 5897 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(b)(2).
Amendments
2019—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–92 added subsec. (d).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14110. Reports of promotion boards: review by Secretary
(a) Review of Report.—Upon receipt of the report of a promotion board submitted under section 14109(a) of this title, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall review the report to determine whether the board has acted contrary to law or regulation or to guidelines furnished the board under section 14107(a) of this title. Following that review, unless the Secretary concerned makes a determination as described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit the report as required by section 14111 of this title.
(b) Return of Report for Further Proceedings.—If, on the basis of a review of the report under subsection (a), the Secretary of the military department concerned determines that the board acted contrary to law or regulation or to guidelines furnished the board under section 14107(a) of this title, the Secretary shall return the report, together with a written explanation of the basis for such determination, to the board for further proceedings. Upon receipt of a report returned by the Secretary concerned under this subsection, the selection board (or a subsequent selection board convened under section 14101(a) of this title for the same grade and competitive category) shall conduct such proceedings as may be necessary in order to revise the report to be consistent with law, regulation, and such guidelines and shall resubmit the report, as revised, to the Secretary in accordance with section 14109 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2929.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 5898(a) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(b)(2).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14111. Reports of selection boards: transmittal to President
(a) Transmittal to President.—The Secretary concerned, after final review of the report of a selection board under section 14110 of this title, shall submit the report with the Secretary's recommendations, to the Secretary of Defense for transmittal by the Secretary to the President for approval or disapproval. If the authority of the President to approve or disapprove the report of a promotion board is delegated to the Secretary of Defense, that authority may not be redelegated except to an official in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
(b) Removal of Name From Board Report.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the name of an officer recommended for promotion by a selection board may be removed from the report of the selection board only by the President.
(2) In the case of an officer recommended by a selection board for promotion to a grade below brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half), the name of the officer may also be removed from the report of the selection board by the Secretary of Defense or the Deputy Secretary of Defense.
(c) Recommendations for Removal of Selected Officers From Report.—If the Secretary of a military department or the Secretary of Defense makes a recommendation under this section that the name of an officer be removed from the report of a promotion board and the recommendation is accompanied by information that was not presented to that promotion board, that information shall be made available to that officer. The officer shall then be afforded a reasonable opportunity to submit comments on that information to the officials making the recommendation and the officials reviewing the recommendation. If an eligible officer cannot be given access to such information because of its classification status, the officer shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be provided with an appropriate summary of the information.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2929; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §513(b), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2185.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in subsecs. (a) and (b) of this section were contained in section 5898(b) and (c) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(b)(2).
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–364 designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted "Except as provided in paragraph (2), the" for "The", and added par. (2).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–364 applicable with respect to selection boards convened on or after Oct. 17, 2006, see section 513(c) of Pub. L. 109–364, set out as a note under section 618 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
For assignment of functions of President under first sentence of subsec. (a) of this section, see section 1(c) of Ex. Ord. No. 13358, Sept. 28, 2004, 69 F.R. 58797, and section 1(a) of Ex. Ord. No. 13598, Jan. 27, 2012, 77 F.R. 5371, set out as notes under section 301 of Title 3, The President.
§14112. Dissemination of names of officers selected
(a) Time for Dissemination.—The names of the officers recommended for promotion in the report of a selection board shall be disseminated to the armed force concerned as follows:
(1) In the case of officers recommended for promotion to a grade below brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half), such names may be disseminated upon, or at any time after, the transmittal of the report to the President.
(2) In the case of officers recommended for promotion to a grade above colonel or, in the case of the Navy, captain, such names may be disseminated upon, or at any time after, the approval of the report by the President.
(3) In the case of officers whose names have not been sooner disseminated, such names shall be promptly disseminated—
(A) upon confirmation of the promotion of the officers by the Senate (in the case of promotions required to be submitted to the Senate for confirmation); or
(B) upon the approval of the report by the President (in the case of promotions not required to be submitted to the Senate for confirmation).
(b) Names Not Disseminated.—A list of names of officers disseminated under subsection (a) may not include—
(1) any name removed by the President from the report of the selection board containing that name, if dissemination is under the authority of paragraph (2) or (3)(B) of that subsection; or
(2) the name of any officer whose promotion the Senate failed to confirm, if dissemination is under the authority of paragraph (3)(A) of that subsection.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2930; amended Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title V, §503(b)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-101.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 5898(d) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(b)(2).
Amendments
2000—Pub. L. 106–398 amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Upon approval by the President of the report of a promotion board, the names of the officers recommended for promotion by the promotion board (other than any name removed by the President) may be disseminated to the armed force concerned. If those names have not been sooner disseminated, those names (other than the name of any officer whose promotion the Senate failed to confirm) shall be promptly disseminated to the armed force concerned upon confirmation by the Senate."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
CHAPTER 1405—PROMOTIONS
14301.
Eligibility for consideration for promotion: general rules.
14303.
Eligibility for consideration for promotion: minimum years of service in grade.
14304.
Eligibility for consideration for promotion: maximum years of service in grade.
14305.
Establishment of promotion zones: mandatory consideration for promotion.
14306.
Establishment of promotion zones: Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve running mate system.
14307.
Number of officers to be recommended for promotion.
14308.
Promotions: how made.
14309.
Acceptance of promotion; oath of office.
14310.
Removal of officers from a list of officers recommended for promotion.
14311.
Delay of promotion: involuntary.
14312.
Delay of promotion: voluntary.
14313.
Authority to vacate promotions to grade of brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half).
14314.
Army and Air Force commissioned officers: generals ceasing to occupy positions commensurate with grade; State adjutants general.
14315.
Position vacancy promotions: Army and Air Force officers.
14316.
Army National Guard and Air National Guard: appointment to and Federal recognition in a higher reserve grade after selection for promotion.
14317.
Officers in transition to and from the active-status list or active-duty list.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §515(b)(4)(I), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3235, substituted "Navy Reserve" for "Naval Reserve" in item 14306.
1996—Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(b)(24), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 497, substituted "Number" for "Numbers" in item 14307, a semicolon for a colon in item 14309, and "State" for "state" in item 14314.
§14301. Eligibility for consideration for promotion: general rules
(a) One-Year Rule.—An officer is eligible under this chapter for consideration for promotion by a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title only if—
(1) the officer is on the reserve active-status list of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps; and
(2) during the one-year period ending on the date of the convening of the promotion board the officer has continuously performed service on either the reserve active-status list or the active-duty list (or on a combination of both lists).
(b) Requirement for Consideration of All Officers In and Above the Zone.—Whenever a promotion board (other than a vacancy promotion board) is convened under section 14101(a) of this title for consideration of officers in a competitive category who are eligible under this chapter for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade, each officer in the promotion zone, and each officer above the promotion zone, for that grade and competitive category shall be considered for promotion.
(c) Certain Officers Not To Be Considered.—A promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title may not consider for promotion to the next higher grade any of the following officers:
(1) An officer whose name is on a promotion list for that grade as a result of recommendation for promotion to that grade by an earlier selection board convened under that section or section 14502 of this title or under chapter 36 of this title.
(2) An officer who is recommended for promotion to that grade in the report of an earlier selection board convened under a provision referred to in paragraph (1), in the case of such a report that has not yet been approved by the President.
(3) An officer who has been approved for Federal recognition by a board convened under section 307 of title 32 and nominated by the President for promotion to that grade as a reserve of the Army or of the Air Force as the case may be, if that nomination is pending before the Senate.
(4) An officer who has been nominated by the President for promotion to that grade under any other provision of law, if that nomination is pending before the Senate.
(5) An officer in the grade of first lieutenant or, in the case of the Navy, lieutenant (junior grade) who is on an approved all-fully-qualified-officers list under section 14308(b)(4) of this title.
(6) An officer excluded under subsection (j).
(d) Officers Below the Zone.—The Secretary of the military department concerned may, by regulation, prescribe procedures to limit the officers to be considered by a selection board from below the promotion zone to those officers who are determined to be exceptionally well qualified for promotion. The regulations shall include criteria for determining which officers below the promotion zone are exceptionally well qualified for promotion.
(e) Certain Reserve Officers of the Air Force.—A reserve officer of the Air Force who (1) is in the Air National Guard of the United States and holds the grade of lieutenant colonel, colonel, or brigadier general, or (2) is in the Air Force Reserve and holds the grade of colonel or brigadier general, is not eligible for consideration for promotion by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title.
(f) Nonconsideration of Officers Scheduled for Removal From Reserve Active-Status List.—The Secretary of the military department concerned may, by regulation, provide for the exclusion from consideration for promotion by a promotion board of any officer otherwise eligible to be considered by the board who has an established date for removal from the reserve active-status list that is not more than 90 days after the date on which the selection board for which the officer would otherwise be eligible is to be convened.
(g) Brigadier Generals.—(1) An officer who is a reserve component brigadier general of the Army or the Air Force who is not eligible for consideration for promotion under subsection (a) because the officer is not on the reserve active status list (as required by paragraph (1) of that subsection for such eligibility) is nevertheless eligible for consideration for promotion to the grade of major general by a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title if—
(A) as of the date of the convening of the promotion board, the officer has been in an inactive status for less than one year; and
(B) immediately before the date of the officer's most recent transfer to an inactive status, the officer had continuously served on the reserve active status list or the active-duty list (or a combination of the reserve active status list and the active-duty list) for at least one year.
(2) An officer who is a reserve component brigadier general of the Army or the Air Force who is on the reserve active status list but who is not eligible for consideration for promotion under subsection (a) because the officer's service does not meet the one-year-of-continuous-service requirement under paragraph (2) of that subsection is nevertheless eligible for consideration for promotion to the grade of major general by a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title if—
(A) the officer was transferred from an inactive status to the reserve active status list during the one-year period preceding the date of the convening of the promotion board;
(B) immediately before the date of the officer's most recent transfer to an active status, the officer had been in an inactive status for less than one year; and
(C) immediately before the date of the officer's most recent transfer to an inactive status, the officer had continuously served for at least one year on the reserve active status list or the active-duty list (or a combination of the reserve active status list and the active-duty list).
(h) Officers on Educational Delay.—An officer on the reserve active-status list is ineligible for consideration for promotion, but shall remain on the reserve active-status list, while the officer—
(1) is pursuing a program of graduate level education in an educational delay status approved by the Secretary concerned; and
(2) is receiving from the Secretary financial assistance in connection with the pursuit of that program of education while in that status.
(i) Reserve Officers Employed as Military Technician (dual Status).—A reserve officer of the Army or Air Force employed as a military technician (dual status) under section 10216 of this title who has been retained beyond the mandatory removal date for years of service pursuant to subsection (f) of such section or section 14702(a)(2) of this title is not eligible for consideration for promotion by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title.
(j) Authority To Allow Officers To Opt Out of Selection Board Consideration.—(1) The Secretary of a military department may provide that an officer under the jurisdiction of the Secretary may, upon the officer's request and with the approval of the Secretary, be excluded from consideration by a selection board convened under section 14101(a) of this title to consider officers for promotion to the next higher grade.
(2) The Secretary concerned may only approve a request under paragraph (1) if—
(A) the basis for the request is to allow an officer to complete a broadening assignment, advanced education, another assignment of significant value to the Department, or a career progression requirement delayed by the assignment or education;
(B) the Secretary determines the exclusion from consideration is in the best interest of the military department concerned; and
(C) the officer has not previously failed of selection for promotion to the grade for which the officer requests the exclusion from consideration.
(k) Certain Officers Not to Be Considered for Selection for Promotion.—The Secretary of the military department concerned may provide that an officer who is in an active status, but is in a duty status in which the only points the officer accrues under section 12732(a)(2) of this title are pursuant to subparagraph (C)(i) of that section (relating to membership in a reserve component), shall not be considered for selection for promotion until completion of two years of service in such duty status. Any such officer may remain on the reserve active-status list.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2931; amended Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title V, §§503(b), (c), 514(b), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1724, 1725, 1732; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title V, §514, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2008; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §513(a), title X, §1066(a)(32), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 593, 772; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §505(c)(1)(B), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1087; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title V, §521, Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2540; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, §517, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1397; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §§505(b), 513, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1743, 1752.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–232, §505(b)(1)(A), substituted "Certain Officers Not" for "Previously Selected Officers Not Eligible" in heading.
Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 115–232, §505(b)(1)(B), added par. (6).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 115–232, §505(b)(2), added subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 115–232, §513, added subsec. (k).
2011—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 112–81 added subsec. (i).
2002—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 107–314 amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "A reserve component brigadier general of the Army or the Air Force who is in an inactive status is eligible (notwithstanding subsection (a)) for consideration for promotion to major general by a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title if the officer—
"(1) has been in an inactive status for less than one year as of the date of the convening of the promotion board; and
"(2) had continuously served for at least one year on the reserve active status list or the active duty list (or a combination of both) immediately before the officer's most recent transfer to an inactive status."
2001—Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 107–107 added par. (5).
1999—Subsec. (g)(1), (2). Pub. L. 106–65, §1066(a)(32), substituted "one year" for "1 year".
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 106–65, §513(a), added subsec. (h).
1998—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–261 added subsec. (g).
1997—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–85, §503(b)(1), substituted "grade any of the following officers:" for "grade—" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 105–85, §503(b)(2), (3), substituted "An officer" for "an officer" and "title." for "title;".
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 105–85, §503(b)(6), added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).
Pub. L. 105–85, §503(b)(2), (4), substituted "An officer" for "an officer" and "be." for "be; or".
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 105–85, §503(c), inserted ", if that nomination is pending before the Senate" before period at end.
Pub. L. 105–85, §503(b)(5), redesignated par. (2) as (3) and substituted "that grade" for "the next higher grade". Former par. (3) redesignated (4).
Pub. L. 105–85, §503(b)(2), substituted "An officer" for "an officer".
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 105–85, §503(c), inserted ", if that nomination is pending before the Senate" before period at end.
Pub. L. 105–85, §503(b)(5), redesignated par. (3) as (4) and substituted "that grade" for "the next higher grade".
Subsecs. (e) to (g). Pub. L. 105–85, §514(b), redesignated subsecs. (f) and (g) as (e) and (f), respectively, and struck out former subsec. (e) which read as follows:
"(e) Reserve Officers of the Army; Consideration for Brigadier General and Major General.—In the case of officers of the Army, if the Secretary of the Army determines that vacancies are authorized or anticipated in the reserve grades of major general or brigadier general for officers who are on the reserve active-status list and who are not assigned to units organized to serve as a unit and the Secretary convenes a mandatory promotion board under section 14101(a) of this title to consider officers for promotion to fill such vacancies, the Secretary may limit the officers to be considered by that board to those determined to be exceptionally well qualified for promotion under such criteria and procedures as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §513(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 593, provided that:
"(1) Subsection (h) of section 14301 of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), shall apply with respect to boards convened under section 14101(a) of such title before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 1999].
"(2) The Secretary of the military department concerned, upon receipt of request submitted in a form and manner prescribed by the Secretary, shall expunge from the military records of an officer any indication of a failure of selection of the officer for promotion by a board referred to in paragraph (1) while the officer was ineligible for consideration by that board by reason of section 14301(h) of title 10, United States Code."
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 503(b), (c) of Pub. L. 105–85 effective Nov. 18, 1997, and applicable with respect to selection boards that are convened under section 611(a), 14101(a), or 14502 of this title on or after Nov. 18, 1997, see section 503(d) of Pub. L. 105–85, set out as a note under section 619 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14302. Promotion zones
(a) Promotion Zones Generally.—For purposes of this chapter, a promotion zone is an eligibility category for the consideration of officers by a mandatory promotion board. A promotion zone consists of those officers on the reserve active-status list who are in the same grade and competitive category and who meet the requirements of both paragraphs (1) and (2) or the requirements of paragraph (3), as follows:
(1)(A) In the case of officers in grades below colonel, for reserve officers of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, or captain, for officers of the Navy Reserve, those who have neither (i) failed of selection for promotion to the next higher grade, nor (ii) been removed from a list of officers recommended for promotion to that grade.
(B) In the case of officers in the grade of colonel or brigadier general, for reserve officers of the Army and Marine Corps, or in the grade of captain or rear admiral (lower half), for reserve officers of the Navy, those who have neither (i) been recommended for promotion to the next higher grade when considered in the promotion zone, nor (ii) been removed from a list of officers recommended for promotion to that grade.
(2) Those officers who are senior to the officer designated by the Secretary of the military department concerned to be the junior officer in the promotion zone eligible for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade and the officer so designated.
(3) Those officers who—
(A) have been selected from below the zone for promotion to the next higher grade or by a vacancy promotion board, but whose names were removed from the list of officers recommended for promotion to that next higher grade resulting from that selection;
(B) have not failed of selection for promotion to that next higher grade; and
(C) are senior to the officer designated by the Secretary of the military department concerned to be the junior officer in the promotion zone eligible for consideration for promotion to that next higher grade and the officer so designated.
(b) Officers Above the Zone.—Officers on the reserve active-status list are considered to be above the promotion zone for a grade and competitive category if they—
(1) are eligible for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade;
(2) are in the same grade as those officers in the promotion zone for that competitive category; and
(3) are senior to the senior officer in the promotion zone for that competitive category.
(c) Officers Below the Zone.—Officers on the reserve active-status list are considered to be below the promotion zone for a grade and competitive category if they—
(1) are eligible for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade;
(2) are in the same grade as those officers in the promotion zone for that competitive category; and
(3) are junior to the junior officer in the promotion zone for that competitive category.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2932; amended Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §515(b)(1)(RR), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3234.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted "Navy Reserve" for "Naval Reserve".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14303. Eligibility for consideration for promotion: minimum years of service in grade
(a) Officers in Pay Grades O–1 and O–2.—An officer who is on the reserve active-status list of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps and holds a permanent appointment in the grade of second lieutenant or first lieutenant as a reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps, or in the grade of ensign or lieutenant (junior grade) as a reserve officer of the Navy, may not be promoted to the next higher grade, or granted Federal recognition in that grade, until the officer has completed the following years of service in grade:
(1) Eighteen months, in the case of an officer holding a permanent appointment in the grade of second lieutenant or ensign.
(2) Two years, in the case of an officer holding a permanent appointment in the grade of first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade).
(b) Officers in Pay Grades O–3 and Above.—Subject to subsection (d), an officer who is on the reserve active-status list of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps and holds a permanent appointment in a grade above first lieutenant, or who is on the reserve active-status list of the Navy in a grade above lieutenant (junior grade), may not be considered for selection for promotion to the next higher grade, or examined for Federal recognition in the next higher grade, until the officer has completed the following years of service in grade:
(1) Three years, in the case of an officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps holding a permanent appointment in the grade of captain, major, or lieutenant colonel or in the case of a reserve officer of the Navy holding a permanent appointment in the grade of lieutenant, lieutenant commander, or commander.
(2) One year, in the case of an officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps holding a permanent appointment in the grade of colonel or brigadier general or in the case of a reserve officer of the Navy holding a permanent appointment in the grade of captain or rear admiral (lower half).
This subsection does not apply to an adjutant general or assistant adjutant general of a State or to an appointment in a higher grade which is based upon a specific provision of law.
(c) Authority To Lengthen Minimum Period in Grade.—The Secretary concerned may prescribe a period of service in grade for eligibility for promotion, in the case of officers to whom subsection (a) applies, or for eligibility for consideration for promotion, in the case of officers to whom subsection (b) applies, that is longer than the applicable period specified in that subsection.
(d) Waivers To Ensure Two Below-the-Zone Considerations.—Subject to section 14307(b) of this title, the Secretary of the military department concerned may waive subsection (b) to the extent necessary to ensure that officers described in paragraph (1) of that subsection have at least two opportunities for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade as officers below the promotion zone.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2933.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14304. Eligibility for consideration for promotion: maximum years of service in grade
(a) Consideration for Promotion Within Specified Times.—(1) Officers described in paragraph (3) shall be placed in the promotion zone for that officer's grade and competitive category, and shall be considered for promotion to the next higher grade by a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title, far enough in advance of completing the years of service in grade specified in the following table so that, if the officer is recommended for promotion, the promotion may be effective on or before the date on which the officer will complete those years of service.
Current Grade | Maximum years of service in grade |
First lieutenant or Lieutenant (junior grade) |
5 years |
Captain or Navy Lieutenant |
7 years |
Major or Lieutenant commander |
7 years |
(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 14301 of this title and applies without regard to vacancies.
(3) Paragraph (1) applies to an officer who is on the reserve active-status list of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps and who holds a permanent appointment in the grade of first lieutenant, captain, or major as a reserve of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps, or to an officer on the reserve active-status list of the Navy in the grade of lieutenant (junior grade), lieutenant, or lieutenant commander as a reserve of the Navy, and who, while holding that appointment, has not been considered by a selection board convened under section 14101(a) or 14502 of this title for promotion to the next higher grade.
(b) Promotion Date.—An officer holding a permanent grade specified in the table in subsection (a) who is recommended for promotion to the next higher grade by a selection board the first time the officer is considered for promotion while in or above the promotion zone and who is placed on an approved promotion list established under section 14308(a) of this title shall (if not promoted sooner or removed from that list by the President or by reason of declination) be promoted, without regard to the existence of a vacancy, on the date on which the officer completes the maximum years of service in grade specified in subsection (a). The preceding sentence is subject to the limitations of section 12011 of this title.
(c) Waiver Authority for Navy and Marine Corps Running Mate System.—If the Secretary of the Navy establishes promotion zones for officers on the reserve active-status list of the Navy or the Marine Corps Reserve in accordance with a running mate system under section 14306 of this title, the Secretary may waive the requirements of subsection (a) to the extent the Secretary considers necessary in any case in which the years of service for promotion, or for consideration for promotion, within those zones will exceed the maximum years of service in grade specified in subsection (a).
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2934.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
Minimum Service Qualifications for Promotion
Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1685, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3024, provided that during the five-year period beginning on Oct. 1, 1996, the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Air Force could waive the provisions of this section and during any period in which such a waiver is in effect, establish minimum periods of total years of commissioned service an officer must have served to be eligible for consideration for promotion to the grade of captain, major, or lieutenant colonel by boards convened under section 14101(a) of this title.
§14305. Establishment of promotion zones: mandatory consideration for promotion
(a) Establishment of Zone.—Before convening a mandatory promotion board under section 14101(a) of this title, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall establish a promotion zone for officers serving in each grade and competitive category to be considered by the board.
(b) Number in the Zone.—The Secretary concerned shall determine the number of officers in the promotion zone for officers serving in any grade and competitive category from among officers who are eligible for promotion in that grade and competitive category under the provisions of sections 14303 and 14304 of this title and who are otherwise eligible for promotion.
(c) Factors in Determining Number in the Zone.—The Secretary's determination under subsection (b) shall be made on the basis of an estimate of the following:
(1) The number of officers needed in that competitive category in the next higher grade in each of the next five years.
(2) In the case of a promotion zone for officers to be promoted to a grade to which the maximum years of in grade criteria established in section 14304 of this title apply, the number of officers in that competitive category who are required to be considered for selection for promotion to the next higher grade under that section.
(3) The number of officers that should be placed in the promotion zone in each of the next five years to provide to officers in those years relatively similar opportunities for promotion.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2935.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14306. Establishment of promotion zones: Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve running mate system
(a) Authority of Secretary of the Navy.—The Secretary of the Navy may by regulation implement section 14305 of this title by requiring that the promotion zone for consideration of officers on the reserve active-status list of the Navy or the Marine Corps for promotion to the next higher grade be determined in accordance with a running mate system as provided in subsection (b).
(b) Assignment of Running Mates.—An officer to whom a running mate system applies shall be assigned as a running mate an officer of the same grade on the active-duty list of the same armed force. The officer on the reserve active-status list is in the promotion zone and is eligible for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade by a selection board convened under section 14101(a) of this title when that officer's running mate is in or above the promotion zone established for that officer's grade under chapter 36 of this title.
(c) Consideration of Officers Below the Zone Under a Running Mate System.—If the Secretary of the Navy authorizes the selection of officers for promotion from below the promotion zone in accordance with section 14307 of this title, the number of officers to be considered from below the zone may be established through the application of the running mate system or otherwise as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to meet the needs of the Navy or Marine Corps.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2935; amended Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §515(b)(3)(J), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3235.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in subsec. (b) of this section were contained in section 5899 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(b)(2).
Amendments
2006—Pub. L. 109–163 substituted "Navy Reserve" for "Naval Reserve" in section catchline.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14307. Number of officers to be recommended for promotion
(a) Determination of Maximum Number.—Before convening a promotion board under section 14101(a) of this title for a grade and competitive category (other than a vacancy promotion board), the Secretary of the military department concerned, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, shall determine the maximum number of officers in that grade and competitive category that the board may recommend for promotion. The Secretary shall make the determination under the preceding sentence of the maximum number that may be recommended with a view to having on the reserve active-status list a sufficient number of officers in each grade and competitive category to meet the needs of the armed force concerned for officers on that list. In order to make that determination, the Secretary shall determine (1) the number of positions needed to accomplish mission objectives which require officers of such competitive category in the grade to which the board will recommend officers for promotion, (2) the estimated number of officers needed to fill vacancies in such positions during the period in which it is anticipated that officers selected for promotion will be promoted, (3) the number of officers authorized by the Secretary of the military department concerned to serve on the reserve active-status list in the grade and competitive category under consideration, and (4) any statutory limitation on the number of officers in any grade or category (or combination thereof) authorized to be on the reserve active-status list.
(b) Below-the-Zone Selections.—(1) The Secretary of the military department concerned may, when the needs of the armed force concerned require, authorize the consideration of officers in the grade of captain, major, or lieutenant colonel on the reserve active-status list of the Army or Air Force, in a grade above first lieutenant on the reserve active-status list of the Marine Corps, or in a grade above lieutenant (junior grade) on the reserve active-status list of the Navy, for promotion to the next higher grade from below the promotion zone.
(2) When selection from below the promotion zone is authorized, the Secretary shall establish the number of officers that may be recommended for promotion from below the promotion zone in each competitive category to be considered. That number may not exceed the number equal to 10 percent of the maximum number of officers that the board is authorized to recommend for promotion in such competitive category, except that the Secretary of Defense may authorize a greater number, not to exceed 15 percent of the total number of officers that the board is authorized to recommend for promotion, if the Secretary of Defense determines that the needs of the armed force concerned so require. If the maximum number determined under this paragraph is less than one, the board may recommend one officer for promotion from below the promotion zone.
(3) The number of officers recommended for promotion from below the promotion zone does not increase the maximum number of officers that the board is authorized to recommend for promotion under subsection (a).
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2936.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 5901 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(b)(2).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14308. Promotions: how made
(a) Promotion List.—When the report of a selection board convened under section 14101(a) or 14502 of this title is approved by the President, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall place the names of all officers selected for promotion within a competitive category on a single list for that competitive category, to be known as a promotion list, in the order of seniority of those officers on the reserve active-status list or based on particular merit, as determined by the promotion board. A promotion list is considered to be established under this section as of the date of the approval of the report of the selection board under the preceding sentence.
(b) Promotion; How Made; Order.—(1) Officers on a promotion list for a competitive category shall be promoted in the manner specified in section 12203 of this title.
(2) Officers on a promotion list for a competitive category shall be promoted to the next higher grade in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned. Except as provided in section 14311, 14312, or 14502(e) of this title or in subsection (d) or (e), promotions shall be made in the order in which the names of officers appear on the promotion list and after officers previously selected for promotion in that competitive category have been promoted.
(3) Officers to be promoted to the grade of first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade) shall be promoted in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned.
(4)(A) Officers in the permanent grade of first lieutenant or, in the case of the Navy, lieutenant (junior grade) who are on an approved all-fully-qualified-officers list shall be promoted to the next higher grade in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned. Such promotions shall be in the manner specified in section 12203 of this title.
(B) An all-fully-qualified-officers list shall be considered to be approved for purposes of subparagraph (A) when the list is approved by the President. When so approved, such a list shall be treated in the same manner as a promotion list under this chapter and chapter 1403 of this title.
(C) The Secretary of a military department may make a recommendation to the President for approval of an all-fully-qualified-officers list only when the Secretary determines that all officers on the list are needed in the next higher grade to accomplish mission objectives.
(D) For purposes of this paragraph, an all-fully-qualified-officers list is a list of all officers on the reserve active-status list in a grade who the Secretary of the military department concerned determines—
(i) are fully qualified for promotion to the next higher grade; and
(ii) would be eligible for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade by a selection board convened under section 14101(a) of this title upon the convening of such a board.
(E) If the Secretary of the military department concerned determines that one or more officers or former officers were not placed on an all-fully-qualified-list under this paragraph because of administrative error, the Secretary may prepare a supplemental all-fully-qualified-officers list containing the names of any such officers for approval in accordance with this paragraph.
(c) Date of Rank.—(1) The date of rank of an officer appointed to a higher grade under this section is determined under section 741(d)(2) of this title.
(2) The date of rank of an officer appointed to a higher grade under this section may be adjusted in the same manner as an adjustment may be made under section 741(d)(4) of this title in the date of rank of an officer appointed to a higher grade under section 624(a) of this title. In any use of the authority under the preceding sentence, subparagraph (C)(ii) of such section shall be applied by substituting "reserve active-status list" for "active-duty list".
(3) The Secretary concerned may adjust the date of rank of an officer whose name is placed on a reserve active-status promotion list pursuant to subsection (e) or (f) of section 624 of this title.
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (2) or as otherwise specifically authorized by law, a reserve officer is not entitled to additional pay or allowances if the effective date of the officer's promotion is adjusted to reflect a date earlier than the actual date of the officer's promotion.
(d) Officers With Running Mates.—An officer to whom a running mate system applies under section 14306 of this title and who is selected for promotion is eligible for promotion to the grade for which selected when the officer who is that officer's running mate becomes eligible for promotion under chapter 36 of this title. The effective date of the promotion of that officer shall be the same as that of the officer's running mate in the grade to which the running mate is promoted.
(e) Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve Promotions To Fill Vacancies.—Subject to this section and to section 14311(e) of this title, and under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned—
(1) an officer in the Army Reserve or the Air Force Reserve who is on a promotion list as a result of selection for promotion by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title or a board convened under section 14502 or chapter 36 of this title may be promoted at any time to fill a vacancy in a position to which the officer is assigned; and
(2) an officer in a grade below colonel in the Army Reserve or the Air Force Reserve who is on a promotion list as a result of selection for promotion by a vacancy promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title may be promoted at any time to fill the vacancy for which the officer was selected.
(f) Effective Date of Promotion After Federal Recognition.—(1) The effective date of a promotion of a reserve commissioned officer of the Army or the Air Force who is extended Federal recognition in the next higher grade in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard under section 307 or 310 of title 32 shall be the date on which such Federal recognition in that grade is so extended.
(2) If there is a delay in extending Federal recognition in the next higher grade in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard to a reserve commissioned officer of the Army or the Air Force that exceeds 100 days from the date the National Guard Bureau deems such officer's application for Federal recognition to be completely submitted by the State and ready for review at the National Guard Bureau, and the delay was not attributable to the action or inaction of such officer—
(A) in the event of State promotion with an effective date before January 1, 2024, the effective date of the promotion concerned under paragraph (1) may be adjusted to a date determined by the Secretary concerned, but not earlier than the effective date of the State promotion; and
(B) in the event of State promotion with an effective date on or after January 1, 2024, the effective date of the promotion concerned under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted by the Secretary concerned to the later of—
(i) the date the National Guard Bureau deems such officer's application for Federal recognition to be completely submitted by the State and ready for review at the National Guard Bureau; and
(ii) the date on which the officer occupies a billet in the next higher grade.
(g) Army and Air Force General Officer Promotions.—A reserve officer of the Army or the Air Force who is on a promotion list for promotion to the grade of brigadier general or major general as a result of selection by a vacancy promotion board may be promoted to that grade only to fill a vacancy in the Army Reserve or the Air Force Reserve, as the case may be, in that grade.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2937; amended Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title V, §514(c), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1732; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §§505(b)(1), 506(b), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1086, 1089; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §511(d)(2), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2183; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title V, §502(b), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 806; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §518(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1754; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §510(c), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1347; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title V, §513, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2565; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §503(b)(2), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 241.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in subsecs. (a), (d), and (f) of this section were contained in sections 3385, 5902(a) to (c), and 8374 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1).
Amendments
2023—Subsec. (c)(3), (4). Pub. L. 118–31 added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).
2022—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 117–263 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: "If the Secretary concerned determines that there was an undue delay in extending Federal recognition in the next higher grade in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard to a reserve commissioned officer of the Army or the Air Force, and the delay was not attributable to the action (or inaction) of such officer, the effective date of the promotion concerned under paragraph (1) may be adjusted to a date determined by the Secretary concerned, but not earlier than the effective date of the State promotion."
2019—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–92 inserted "or based on particular merit, as determined by the promotion board" after "reserve active-status list".
2018—Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 115–232, §518(a)(1), which directed amendment of subsec. (f) by inserting "(1)" before "The effective date of promotion", was executed by making the insertion before "The effective date of a promotion" to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 115–232, §518(a)(2), added par. (2).
2015—Subsec. (b)(4)(E). Pub. L. 114–92 added subpar. (E).
2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–364 inserted at end "A promotion list is considered to be established under this section as of the date of the approval of the report of the selection board under the preceding sentence."
2001—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 107–107, §505(b)(1), added par. (4).
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 107–107, §506(b)(1)(B), added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 107–107, §506(b)(1)(A), (2), redesignated par. (2) as (3) and inserted "provided in paragraph (2) or as otherwise" after "Except as".
1997—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 105–85, §514(c)(1), inserted "a grade below colonel in" after "an officer in".
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–85, §514(c)(2), inserted "or the Air Force" after "A reserve officer of the Army", substituted "in the Army Reserve or the Air Force Reserve, as the case may be, in that grade" for "in that grade in a unit of the Army Reserve that is organized to serve as a unit and that has attained the strength prescribed by the Secretary of the Army", and struck out at end "A reserve officer of the Air Force who is on a promotion list for promotion to the grade of brigadier general or major general as a result of selection by a vacancy promotion board may be promoted to that grade only to fill a vacancy in the Air Force Reserve in that grade."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §518(b), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1754, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 2018], and shall apply with respect to promotions of officers whose State effective date is on or after that date."
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–364 effective Oct. 17, 2006, and applicable with respect to officers on promotion lists established on or after such date, see section 511(e) of Pub. L. 109–364, set out as a note under section 624 of this title.
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
Subsec. (c)(2) of this section applicable with respect to any report of a selection board recommending officers for promotion to the next higher grade that is submitted to the Secretary of the military department concerned on or after Dec. 28, 2001, and Secretary of the military department concerned may apply subsec. (c)(2) of this section in the case of an appointment of an officer to a higher grade resulting from a report of a selection board submitted to the Secretary before Dec. 28, 2001, if the Secretary determines that such appointment would have been made on an earlier date that is on or after Oct. 1, 2001, and was delayed under the circumstances specified in section 741(d)(4) of this title, see section 506(c) of Pub. L. 107–107, set out as a note under section 741 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14309. Acceptance of promotion; oath of office
(a) Acceptance.—An officer who is appointed to a higher grade under this chapter shall be considered to have accepted the appointment on the date on which the appointment is made unless the officer expressly declines the appointment or is granted a delay of promotion under section 14312 of this title.
(b) Oath.—An officer who has served continuously since taking the oath of office prescribed in section 3331 of title 5 is not required to take a new oath upon appointment to a higher grade under this chapter.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2938.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3394 and 8394 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(1), (c)(1).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14310. Removal of officers from a list of officers recommended for promotion
(a) Removal by President.—The President may remove the name of any officer from a promotion list at any time before the date on which the officer is promoted.
(b) Removal for Withholding of Senate Advice and Consent.—If the Senate does not give its advice and consent to the appointment to the next higher grade of an officer whose name is on a list of officers approved by the President for promotion (except in the case of promotions to a reserve grade to which appointments may be made by the President alone), the name of that officer shall be removed from the list.
(c) Removal After 18 Months.—(1) If an officer whose name is on a list of officers approved for promotion under section 14308(a) of this title to a grade for which appointment is required by section 12203(a) of this title to be made by and with the advice and consent of the Senate is not appointed to that grade under such section during the officer's promotion eligibility period, the officer's name shall be removed from the list unless as of the end of such period the Senate has given its advice and consent to the appointment.
(2) Before the end of the promotion eligibility period with respect to an officer under paragraph (1), the President may extend that period for purposes of paragraph (1) by an additional 12 months.
(3) In this subsection, the term "promotion eligibility period" means, with respect to an officer whose name is on a list of officers approved for promotion under section 14308(a) of this title to a grade for which appointment is required by section 12203(a) of this title to be made by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the period beginning on the date on which the list is so approved and ending on the first day of the eighteenth month following the month during which the list is so approved.
(d) Administrative Removal.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, if an officer on the reserve active-status list is discharged or dropped from the rolls or transferred to a retired status after having been recommended for promotion to a higher grade under this chapter or having been found qualified for Federal recognition in the higher grade under title 32, but before being promoted, the officer's name shall be administratively removed from the list of officers recommended for promotion by a selection board.
(e) Continued Eligibility for Promotion.—An officer whose name is removed from a list under subsection (a), (b), or (c) continues to be eligible for consideration for promotion. If that officer is recommended for promotion by the next selection board convened for that officer's grade and competitive category and the officer is promoted, the Secretary of the military department concerned may, upon the promotion, grant the officer the same date of rank, the same effective date for the pay and allowances of the grade to which promoted, and the same position on the reserve active-status list, as the officer would have had if the officer's name had not been removed from the list.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2938; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §515(b), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2186; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title X, §1063(a)(16), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 322; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title V, §504(b), title X, §1075(f)(7), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4208, 4376.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 5905 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(b)(2).
Amendments
2011—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–383, §504(b)(2), added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–383, §1075(f)(7), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 110–181, §1063(a)(16). See 2008 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 111–383, §504(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e).
2008—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–181, §1063(a)(16), as amended by Pub. L. 111–383, §1075(f)(7), inserted comma after "(a)".
2006—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–364, §515(b)(1)(B), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–364, §515(b)(2), which directed amendment of par. (1) of subsec. (d) by substituting "(b), or (c)" for "or (b)", was executed by amending text of subsec. (d), which does not contain any pars., to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 109–364, §515(b)(1)(A), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–364 applicable to any promotion list approved by the President after Jan. 1, 2007, see section 515(c) of Pub. L. 109–364, set out as a note under section 629 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
Removals From Promotion List
Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1684(b), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3024, as amended by Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(a)(9), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 495, provided that: "An action that was initiated before the effective date of this title [Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title] under the laws and regulations in effect before that date to remove the name of an officer from a promotion list or from a list of officers recommended or approved for promotion shall continue on and after such date as if such action had been initiated under section 14111(c) or 14310, as appropriate, of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title."
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
For assignment of functions of President under subsec. (a) of this section, see section 1(d) of Ex. Ord. No. 13358, Sept. 28, 2004, 69 F.R. 58797, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.
Functions of President under subsec. (c)(2) of this section delegated to Secretary of Defense, with authority for Secretary to redelegate, see Ex. Ord. No. 13598, §§1(b), 2, Jan. 27, 2012, 77 F.R. 5371, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.
§14311. Delay of promotion: involuntary
(a) Delay During Investigations and Proceedings.—(1) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the appointment of an officer to a higher grade may be delayed if any of the following applies before the date on which the appointment would otherwise be made:
(A) Sworn charges against the officer have been received by an officer exercising general court-martial jurisdiction over the officer and the charges have not been disposed of.
(B) An investigation is being conducted to determine whether disciplinary action of any kind should be brought against the officer.
(C) A board of officers has been convened under section 14903 of this title to review the record of the officer.
(D) A criminal proceeding in a Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction is pending against the officer.
(E) Substantiated adverse information about the officer that is material to the decision to appoint the officer is under review by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary concerned.
(F) The Secretary of the military department concerned determines that credible information of adverse nature, including a substantiated adverse finding or conclusion described in section 14107(a)(3)(A) of this title, with respect to the officer will result in the convening of a special selection review board under section 14502a of this title to review the officer and recommend whether the recommendation for promotion of the officer should be sustained.
(2) If disciplinary action is not taken against the officer, if the charges against the officer are withdrawn or dismissed, if the officer is not separated by the Secretary of the military department concerned as the result of having been required to show cause for retention, if the officer is acquitted of the charges, or if, after a review of substantiated adverse information about the officer regarding the requirement for exemplary conduct set forth in section 7233, 8167, or 9233 of this title, as applicable, the officer is determined to be among the officers best qualified for promotion, as the case may be, then (unless action to delay the officer's appointment to the higher grade has been taken under subsection (b)) the officer shall be retained on the promotion list (including an approved all-fully-qualified-officers list, if applicable), list of officers found qualified for Federal recognition, or list of officers nominated by the President to the Senate for appointment in a higher reserve grade and shall, upon promotion to the next higher grade, have the same date of rank, the same effective date for the pay and allowances of the grade to which promoted, and the same position on the reserve active-status list as the officer would have had if no delay had intervened, unless the Secretary concerned determines that the officer was unqualified for promotion for any part of the delay. If the Secretary makes such a determination, the Secretary may adjust such date of rank, effective date of pay and allowances, and position on the reserve active-status list as the Secretary considers appropriate under the circumstances.
(3) In the case of an officer whose promotion is delayed pursuant to paragraph (1)(F) and whose recommendation for promotion is sustained, authorities for the promotion of the officer are specified in section 14502a(f) of this title.
(b) Delay for Lack of Qualifications.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the appointment of an officer to a higher grade may also be delayed if there is cause to believe that the officer has not met the requirement for exemplary conduct set forth in section 7233, 8167, or 9233 of this title, as applicable, or is mentally, physically, morally, or professionally unqualified to perform the duties of the grade to which selected. If it is later determined by a civilian official of the Department of Defense (not below the level of Secretary of a military department) that the officer is qualified for promotion to the higher grade and, after a review of adverse information regarding the requirement for exemplary conduct set forth in section 7233, 8167, or 9233 of this title, as applicable, the officer is determined to be among the officers best qualified for promotion to the higher grade, the officer shall be retained on the promotion list (including an approved all-fully-qualified-officers list, if applicable), the list of officers found qualified for Federal recognition, or list of officers nominated by the President to the Senate for appointment in a higher reserve grade, and shall, upon promotion to that grade, have the same date of rank, the same effective date for pay and allowances of that grade, and the same position on the reserve active-status list as the officer would have had if no delay had intervened, unless the Secretary concerned determines that the officer was unqualified for promotion for any part of the delay. If the Secretary makes such a determination, the Secretary may adjust such date of rank, effective date of pay and allowances, and position on the reserve active-status list as the Secretary considers appropriate under the circumstances.
(c) Notice to Officer.—(1) The appointment of an officer to a higher grade may not be delayed under subsection (a) or (b) unless the officer is given written notice of the grounds for the delay. The preceding sentence does not apply if it is impracticable to give the officer written notice before the date on which the appointment to the higher grade would otherwise take effect, but in such a case the written notice shall be given as soon as practicable.
(2) An officer whose promotion is delayed under subsection (a) or (b) shall be given an opportunity to make a written statement to the Secretary of the military department concerned in response to the action taken. The Secretary shall give consideration to any such statement.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), in the case of an officer whose promotion is delayed pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(F), requirements applicable to notice and opportunity for response to such delay are specified in section 14502a(c)(3) of this title.
(d) Maximum Length of Delay in Promotion.—The appointment of an officer to a higher grade may not be delayed under subsection (a) or (b) for more than six months after the date on which the officer would otherwise have been promoted unless the Secretary concerned specifies a further period of delay. An officer's appointment may not be delayed more than 90 days after final action has been taken in any criminal case against the officer in a Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction or more than 90 days after final action has been taken in any court-martial case against the officer. Except for court action, a promotion may not be delayed more than 18 months after the date on which the officer would otherwise have been promoted.
(e) Delay Because of Limitations on Officer Strength in Grade or Duties to Which Assigned.—(1) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the promotion of a reserve officer on the reserve active-status list who is serving on active duty, or who is on full-time National Guard duty for administration of the reserves or the National Guard, to a grade to which the strength limitations of section 12011 of this title apply shall be delayed if necessary to ensure compliance with those strength limitations. The delay shall expire when the Secretary determines that the delay is no longer required to ensure such compliance.
(2) The promotion of an officer described in paragraph (1) shall also be delayed while the officer is on duty described in that paragraph unless the Secretary of the military department concerned, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, determines that the duty assignment of the officer requires a higher grade than the grade currently held by the officer.
(3) The date of rank and position on the reserve active-status list of a reserve officer whose promotion to or Federal recognition in the next higher grade was delayed under paragraph (1) or (2) solely as the result of the limitations imposed under the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or contained in section 12011 of this title shall be the date on which the officer would have been promoted to or recognized in the higher grade had such limitations not existed.
(4) If an officer whose promotion is delayed under paragraph (1) or (2) completes the period of active duty or full-time National Guard duty that the officer is required by law or regulation to perform as a member of a reserve component, the officer may request release from active duty or full-time National Guard duty. If the request is granted, the officer's promotion shall be effective upon the officer's release from such duty. The date of rank and position on the reserve active-status list of the officer shall be the date the officer would have been promoted to or recognized in the higher grade had the limitations imposed under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense contained in section 12011 of this title not existed. If an officer whose promotion is delayed under paragraph (1) or (2) has not completed the period of active duty or full-time National Guard duty that the officer is required by law or regulation to perform as a member of a reserve component, the officer may be retained on active duty or on full-time National Guard duty in the grade in which the officer was serving before the officer's being found qualified for Federal recognition or the officer's selection for the promotion until the officer completes that required period of duty.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2939; amended Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §505(c)(2)(B), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1088; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §511(b), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2182; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, §1075(g)(4), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4377; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1840; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, §505(b)(3), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3572.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3363(e), 3380(b), 5902(d), 8363(g), and 8380(b) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1).
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (a)(1)(F). Pub. L. 116–283, §505(b)(3)(A)(i), added subpar. (F).
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, §505(b)(3)(A)(ii), added par. (3).
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, §505(b)(3)(B), added par. (3).
2018—Subsecs. (a)(2), (b). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "section 7233, 8167, or 9233" for "section 3583, 5947, or 8583" in subsec. (a)(2) and in two places in subsec. (b).
2011—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–383 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 109–364, §511(b)(3). See 2006 Amendment note below.
2006—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–364, §511(b)(1), substituted "Secretary of Defense" for "Secretary of the military department concerned" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (a)(1)(E). Pub. L. 109–364, §511(b)(2)(A), added subpar. (E).
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–364, §511(b)(2)(B), struck out "or" after "show cause for retention," and inserted "or if, after a review of substantiated adverse information about the officer regarding the requirement for exemplary conduct set forth in section 3583, 5947, or 8583 of this title, as applicable, the officer is determined to be among the officers best qualified for promotion," after "of the charges,".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–364, §511(b)(3), as amended by Pub. L. 111–383, §1075(g)(4), inserted "has not met the requirement for exemplary conduct set forth in section 3583, 5947, or 8583 of this title, as applicable, or" before "is mentally, physically," and substituted "If it is later determined by a civilian official of the Department of Defense (not below the level of Secretary of a military department) that the officer is qualified for promotion to the higher grade and, after a review of adverse information regarding the requirement for exemplary conduct set forth in section 3583, 5947, or 8583 of this title, as applicable, the officer is determined to be among the officers best qualified for promotion to the higher grade" for "If the Secretary concerned later determines that the officer is qualified for promotion to the higher grade".
Pub. L. 109–364, §511(b)(1), substituted "Secretary of Defense" for "Secretary of the military department concerned".
2001—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 107–107, §505(c)(2)(B)(i), inserted "(including an approved all-fully-qualified-officers list, if applicable)" after "on the promotion list".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–107, §505(c)(2)(B)(ii), inserted "(including an approved all-fully-qualified-officers list, if applicable)" after "on the promotion list" in second sentence.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, §1075(g), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4376, provided that amendment by section 1075(g)(4) is effective as of Oct. 17, 2006, and as if included in Pub. L. 109–364 as enacted.
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–364 effective Oct. 17, 2006, and applicable with respect to officers on promotion lists established on or after such date, see section 511(e) of Pub. L. 109–364, set out as a note under section 624 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
Delays in Promotions
Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1684(a), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3024, provided that:
"(1) A delay in a promotion that is in effect on the day before the effective date of this title [Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title] under the laws and regulations in effect on that date shall continue in effect on and after that date as if the promotion had been delayed under section 14311 of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title.
"(2) The delay of the promotion of a reserve officer of the Army or the Air Force which was in effect solely to achieve compliance with limitations set out in section 524 of title 10, United States Code, or with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense with respect to sections 3380(c) and 8380(c) of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title, shall continue in effect as if the promotion had been delayed under section 14311(e) of such title, as added by this title."
§14312. Delay of promotion: voluntary
(a) Authority for Voluntary Delays.—(1) The Secretary of the military department concerned may, by regulation, permit delays of a promotion of an officer who is recommended for promotion by a mandatory selection board convened under section 14101(a) or a special selection board convened under section 14502 of this title at the request of the officer concerned. Such delays, in the case of any promotion, may extend for any period not to exceed three years from the date on which the officer would otherwise be promoted.
(2) Regulations under this section shall provide that—
(A) a request for such a delay of promotion must be submitted by the officer concerned before the delay may be approved; and
(B) denial of such a request shall not be considered to be a failure of selection for promotion unless the officer declines to accept a promotion under circumstances set forth in subsection (c).
(b) Effect of Approval of Request.—If a request for delay of a promotion under subsection (a) is approved, the officer's name shall remain on the promotion list during the authorized period of delay (unless removed under any other provision of law). Upon the end of the period of the authorized delay, or at any time during such period, the officer may accept the promotion, which shall be effective on the date of acceptance. Such an acceptance of a promotion shall be made in accordance with regulations prescribed under this section.
(c) Effect of Declining a Promotion.—An officer's name shall be removed from the promotion list and, if the officer is serving in a grade below colonel or, in the case of the Navy, captain, the officer shall be considered to have failed of selection for promotion if any of the following applies:
(1) The Secretary concerned has not authorized voluntary delays of promotion under subsection (a) to the grade concerned and the officer declines to accept an appointment to a higher grade.
(2) The Secretary concerned has authorized voluntary delays of promotion under subsection (a), but has denied the request of the officer for a delay of promotion and the officer then declines to accept an appointment to a higher grade.
(3) The Secretary concerned has approved the request of an officer for a delay of promotion and, upon the end of the period of delay authorized in accordance with regulations prescribed under subsection (a), the officer then declines to accept an appointment to a higher grade.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2941.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14313. Authority to vacate promotions to grade of brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half)
(a) Authority.—The President may vacate the appointment of a reserve officer to the grade of brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half) if the period of time during which the officer has served in that grade after promotion to that grade is less than 18 months.
(b) Effect of Promotion Being Vacated.—Except as provided in subsection (c), an officer whose promotion to the grade of brigadier general is vacated under this section holds the grade of colonel as a reserve of the armed force of which the officer is a member. An officer whose promotion to the grade of rear admiral (lower half) is vacated under this section holds the grade of captain in the Navy Reserve. Upon assuming the lower grade, the officer shall have the same position on the reserve active-status list as the officer would have had if the officer had not served in the higher grade.
(c) Special Rule for Officers Serving as Adjutant General.—In the case of an officer serving as an adjutant general or assistant adjutant general whose promotion to the grade of brigadier general is vacated under this section, the officer then holds the reserve grade held by that officer immediately before the officer's appointment as adjutant general or assistant adjutant general.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2942; amended Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §515(b)(1)(SS), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3234.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted "Navy Reserve" for "Naval Reserve".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14314. Army and Air Force commissioned officers: generals ceasing to occupy positions commensurate with grade; State adjutants general
(a) General Officers.—Within 30 days after a reserve officer of the Army or the Air Force on the reserve active-status list in a general officer grade ceases to occupy a position commensurate with that grade (or commensurate with a higher grade), the Secretary concerned shall transfer or discharge the officer in accordance with whichever of the following the officer elects:
(1) Transfer the officer in grade to the Retired Reserve, if the officer is qualified and applies for the transfer.
(2) Transfer the officer in grade to the inactive status list of the Standby Reserve, if the officer is qualified.
(3) Discharge the officer from the officer's reserve appointment and, if the officer is qualified and applies therefor, appoint the officer in the reserve grade held by the officer as a reserve officer before the officer's appointment in a general officer grade.
(4) Discharge the officer from the officer's reserve appointment.
(b) Adjutants General.—If a reserve officer who is federally recognized in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard solely because of the officer's appointment as adjutant general or assistant adjutant general of a State ceases to occupy that position, the Secretary concerned, not later than 30 days after the date on which the officer ceases to occupy that position, shall—
(1) withdraw that officer's Federal recognition; and
(2) require that the officer—
(A) be transferred in grade to the Retired Reserve, if the officer is qualified and applies for the transfer;
(B) be discharged from the officer's reserve appointment and appointed in the reserve grade held by the officer as a reserve officer immediately before the appointment of that officer as adjutant general or assistant adjutant general, if the officer is qualified and applies for that appointment; or
(C) be discharged from the officer's reserve appointment.
(c) Credit for Service in Grade.—An officer who is appointed under subsection (a)(3) or (b)(2)(B) shall be credited with an amount of service in the grade in which appointed that is equal to the amount of prior service in an active status in that grade and in any higher grade.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2942; amended Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title V, §544(c), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2523.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3375, 8375, and 8381 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(1), (c)(1).
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 104–201 struck out "of the Air Force" after "reserve officer".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14315. Position vacancy promotions: Army and Air Force officers
(a) Officers Eligible for Consideration For Vacancy Promotions Below Brigadier General.—A reserve officer of the Army who is in the Army Reserve, or a reserve officer of the Air Force who is in the Air Force Reserve, who is on the reserve active-status list in the grade of first lieutenant, captain, major, or lieutenant colonel is eligible for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade under this section if each of the following applies:
(1) The officer is occupying or, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, has been recommended to occupy a position in the same competitive category as the officer and for which a grade higher than the one held by that officer is authorized.
(2) The officer is fully qualified to meet all requirements for the position as established by the Secretary of the military department concerned.
(3) The officer has held the officer's present grade for the minimum period of service prescribed in section 14303 of this title for eligibility for consideration for promotion to the higher grade.
(b) Consideration for Vacancy Promotion to Brigadier General or Major General.—(1) A reserve officer of the Army who is in the Army Reserve and on the reserve active-status list in the grade of colonel or brigadier general may be considered for promotion to the next higher grade under this section if the officer (A) is assigned to the duties of a general officer of the next higher reserve grade in the Army Reserve or is recommended for such an assignment under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Army, (B) has held the officer's present grade for the minimum period of service prescribed in section 14303 of this title for eligibility for consideration for promotion to the higher grade, and (C) meets the standards for consideration prescribed by the Secretary of the Army.
(2) A reserve officer of the Air Force who is in the Air Force Reserve and on the reserve active-status list in the grade of colonel or brigadier general may be considered for promotion to the next higher grade under this section if the officer (A) is assigned to the duties of a general officer of the next higher reserve grade or is recommended for such an assignment under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Air Force, and (B) meets the standards for consideration prescribed by the Secretary of the Air Force.
(c) Vacancy Promotion Boards.—Consideration for promotion under this section shall be by a vacancy promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title.
(d) Effect of Nonselection.—An officer who is considered for promotion under this section and is not selected shall not be considered to have failed of selection for promotion.
(e) Special Rule for Officers Failed of Selection.—A reserve officer of the Army or the Air Force who is considered as failed of selection for promotion under section 14501 of this title to a grade may be considered for promotion under this section or, if selected, promoted to that grade only if the Secretary of the military department concerned finds that the officer is the only qualified officer available to fill the vacancy. The Secretary concerned may not delegate the authority under the preceding sentence.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2943; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(b)(25), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 497; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title V, §514(d), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1732; Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title V, §501], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-98; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title V, §512(b), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1460.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3384 and 8373 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(1), (c)(1).
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–136 substituted "under regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, has been recommended" for "as determined by the Secretary concerned, is available".
2000—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title V, §501(1)], inserted "or is recommended for such an assignment under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Army" after "Army Reserve".
Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title V, §501(2)], inserted "or is recommended for such an assignment under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Air Force" after "reserve grade".
1997—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 105–85 substituted "duties of a general officer of the next higher reserve grade in the Army Reserve," for "duties of a general officer of the next higher reserve grade in a unit of the Army Reserve organized to serve as a unit,".
1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–106 substituted "or a reserve officer" for "or a Reserve officer" in introductory provisions.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective as if included in the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of Pub. L. 103–337, as enacted on Oct. 5, 1994, see section 1501(f)(3) of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14316. Army National Guard and Air National Guard: appointment to and Federal recognition in a higher reserve grade after selection for promotion
(a) Opportunity for Promotion To Fill a Vacancy in the Guard.—If an officer of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States is recommended by a mandatory selection board convened under section 14101(a) or a special selection board convened under section 14502 of this title for promotion to the next higher grade, an opportunity shall be given to the appropriate authority of the State to promote that officer to fill a vacancy in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard of that jurisdiction.
(b) Automatic Federal Recognition.—An officer of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States who is on a promotion list for promotion to the next higher grade as a result of selection for promotion as described in subsection (a) and who before the date of promotion is appointed in that higher grade to fill a vacancy in the Army National Guard or Air National Guard shall—
(1) be extended Federal recognition in that grade, without the examination prescribed in section 307 of title 32; and
(2) subject to section 14311(e) of this title, be promoted to that reserve grade effective on the date of the officer's appointment in that grade in the Army National Guard or Air National Guard.
(c) National Guard Officers Failed of Selection.—An officer who is considered as failed of selection for promotion under section 14501 of this title to a grade may be extended Federal recognition in that grade only if the Secretary of the military department concerned finds that the officer is the only qualified officer available to fill a vacancy. The Secretary concerned may not delegate the authority under the preceding sentence.
(d) Transfer to Army Reserve or Air Force Reserve.—If, on the date on which an officer of the Army National Guard of the United States or of the Air National Guard of the United States who is on a promotion list as described in subsection (a) is to be promoted, the officer has not been promoted to fill a vacancy in the higher grade in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, the officer's Federal recognition in the officer's reserve grade shall be withdrawn and the officer shall be promoted and transferred to the Army Reserve or the Air Force Reserve as appropriate.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2944.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14317. Officers in transition to and from the active-status list or active-duty list
(a) Effect of Transfer to Inactive Status or Retired Status.—If a reserve officer on the reserve active-status list is transferred to an inactive status or to a retired status after having been recommended for promotion to a higher grade under this chapter or chapter 36 of this title, or after having been found qualified for Federal recognition in the higher grade under title 32, but before being promoted, the officer—
(1) shall be treated as if the officer had not been considered and recommended for promotion by the selection board or examined and been found qualified for Federal recognition; and
(2) may not be placed on a promotion list or promoted to the higher grade after returning to an active status,
unless the officer is again recommended for promotion by a selection board convened under chapter 36 of this title or section 14101(a) or 14502 of this title or examined for Federal recognition under title 32.
(b) Effect of Placement on Active-Duty List.—A reserve officer who is on a promotion list as a result of selection for promotion by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) or a special selection board convened under section 14502 of this title and who before being promoted is placed on the active-duty list of the same armed force and placed in the same competitive category shall, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, be placed on an appropriate promotion list for officers on the active-duty list established under chapter 36 of this title.
(c) Officers on a Promotion List Removed From Active-Duty List.—An officer who is on the active-duty list and is on a promotion list as the result of selection for promotion by a selection board convened under chapter 36 of this title and who before being promoted is removed from the active-duty list and placed on the reserve active-status list of the same armed force and in the same competitive category (including a regular officer who on removal from the active-duty list is appointed as a reserve officer and placed on the reserve active-status list) shall, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, be placed on an appropriate promotion list established under this chapter.
(d) Officers Selected for Position Vacancies.—(1) Except as provided in subsection (e), if a reserve officer is ordered to active duty (other than active duty for training) or full-time National Guard duty (other than full-time National Guard duty for training only) after being recommended for promotion under section 14315 of this title to fill a position vacancy or examined for Federal recognition under title 32, and before being promoted to fill that vacancy, the officer shall not be promoted while serving such active duty or full-time National Guard duty unless the officer—
(A) is ordered to active duty as a member of the unit in which the vacancy exists when that unit is ordered to active duty; or
(B) has been ordered to or is serving on active duty in support of a contingency operation.
(2) If, under this subsection, the name of an officer is removed from a list of officers recommended for promotion, the officer shall be treated as if the officer had not been considered for promotion or examined for Federal recognition.
(e) Officers Ordered to Active Duty in Time of War or National Emergency.—(1) A reserve officer who is not on the active-duty list and who is ordered to active duty in time of war or national emergency may, if eligible, be considered for promotion—
(A) by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title or a special selection board convened under section 14502 of this title; or
(B) in the case of an officer who has been ordered to or is serving on active duty in support of a contingency operation, by a vacancy promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title, or by examination for Federal recognition under title 32.
(2) An officer may not be considered for promotion under this subsection after the end of the two-year period beginning on the date on which the officer is ordered to active duty.
(3) An officer may not be considered for promotion under this subsection during a period when the operation of this section has been suspended by the President under section 123(a) of this title.
(4) Consideration of an officer for promotion under this subsection shall be under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2945; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(b)(26), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 497; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title X, §1073(a)(68), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1904; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title V, §512(a), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1459; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title V, §513, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4441.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in subsec. (a) of this section were contained in sections 3378, 5906, and 8378 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1).
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–417, §513(a), designated first sentence as par. (1) and second sentence as par. (2) and, in par. (1), substituted "unless the officer—" for "unless the officer", inserted subpar. (A) designation before "is ordered", substituted "duty; or" for "duty.", and added subpar. (B).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 110–417, §513(b), inserted ", or by examination for Federal recognition under title 32" before period at end.
2003—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–136, §512(a)(1), substituted "Except as provided in subsection (e), if a reserve officer" for "If a reserve officer".
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–136, §512(a)(2), amended heading and text of subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned, a reserve officer who is not on the active-duty list and who is ordered to active duty in time of war or national emergency may, if eligible, be considered for promotion by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) or a special selection board convened under section 14502 of this title for not more than two years from the date the officer is ordered to active duty unless the President suspends the operation of this section under the provisions of section 123 or 10213 of this title."
1997—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–85 substituted "section 14315" for "section 14314".
1996—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–106 inserted heading and substituted "123 or 10213" for "10213 or 644".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective as if included in the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of Pub. L. 103–337, as enacted on Oct. 5, 1994, see section 1501(f)(3) of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
CHAPTER 1407—FAILURE OF SELECTION FOR PROMOTION AND INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION
14501.
Failure of selection for promotion.
14502.
Special selection boards: correction of errors.
14502a.
Special selection review boards.
14503.
Discharge of officers with less than six years of commissioned service or found not qualified for promotion to first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade).
14504.
Effect of failure of selection for promotion: reserve first lieutenants of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and reserve lieutenants (junior grade) of the Navy.
14505.
Effect of failure of selection for promotion: reserve captains of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and reserve lieutenants of the Navy.
14506.
Effect of failure of selection for promotion: reserve majors of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and reserve lieutenant commanders of the Navy.
14507.
Removal from the reserve active-status list for years of service: reserve lieutenant colonels and colonels of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and reserve commanders and captains of the Navy.
14508.
Removal from the reserve active-status list for years of service: reserve general and flag officers.
14509.
Separation at age 62: reserve officers in grades below brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half).
14510.
Separation at age 62: brigadier generals and rear admirals (lower half).
14511.
Separation at age 64: officers in grade of major general or rear admiral and above.
14512.
Separation at age 66: officers holding certain offices.
14513.
Failure of selection for promotion: transfer, retirement, or discharge.
14514.
Discharge or retirement for years of service or after selection for early removal.
14515.
Discharge or retirement for age.
14516.
Separation to be considered involuntary.
14517.
Entitlement of officers discharged under this chapter to separation pay.
14518.
Continuation of officers to complete disciplinary action.
14519.
Deferment of retirement or separation for medical reasons.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, §505(b)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3571, added item 14502a.
2008—Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title V, §503(c)(3), title XVIII, §1825(a)(2), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 95, 502, substituted "six years" for "five years" in item 14503 and "officers in grade of major general or rear admiral and above" for "major generals and rear admirals" in item 14511.
2006—Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §503(f), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2178, struck out "reserve" before "brigadier" in item 14510 and substituted "62" for "60" in items 14509 and 14510, "64" for "62" in item 14511, and "66" for "64" in item 14512.
2002—Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title V, §522(b), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2541, added item 14519.
2001—Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §517(b)(2)(B), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1094, substituted "Failure of selection for promotion: transfer, retirement, or discharge" for "Separation for failure of selection of promotion" in item 14513.
1999—Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §511(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 592, added item 14518.
1996—Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(b)(27), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 497, inserted "reserve" after "Marine Corps and" in item 14506, "reserve" after "Removal from the" in item 14507, and "in grades" after "reserve officers" in item 14509.
§14501. Failure of selection for promotion
(a) Officers Below the Grade of Colonel or Navy Captain.—An officer on the reserve active-status list in a grade below the grade of colonel or, in the case of an officer in the Navy Reserve, captain who is in or above the promotion zone established for that officer's grade and competitive category and who (1) is considered but not recommended for promotion (other than by a vacancy promotion board), or (2) declines to accept a promotion for which selected (other than by a vacancy promotion board), shall be considered to have failed of selection for promotion.
(b) Officers Twice Failed of Selection.—An officer shall be considered for all purposes to have twice failed of selection for promotion if any of the following applies:
(1) The officer is considered but not recommended for promotion a second time by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) or a special selection board convened under section 14502(a) of this title.
(2) The officer declines to accept a promotion for which recommended by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) or a special selection board convened under section 14502(a) or 14502(b) of this title after previously failing of selection or after the officer's name was removed from the report of a selection board under section 14111(b) or from a promotion list under section 14310 of this title after recommendation for promotion by an earlier selection board described in subsection (a).
(3) The officer's name has been removed from the report of a selection board under section 14111(b) or from a promotion list under section 14310 of this title after recommendation by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) or by a special selection board convened under section 14502(a) or 14502(b) of this title and—
(A) the officer is not recommended for promotion by the next mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) or special selection board convened under section 14502(a) of this title for that officer's grade and competitive category; or
(B) the officer's name is again removed from the report of a selection board under section 14111(b) or from a promotion list under section 14310 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2946; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(b)(28), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 498; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §515(b)(1)(TT), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3234.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted "Navy Reserve" for "Naval Reserve".
1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–106 inserted heading.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective as if included in the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of Pub. L. 103–337, as enacted on Oct. 5, 1994, see section 1501(f)(3) of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
Continuation on Reserve Active-Status List of Certain Reserve Colonels of Army and Air Force
Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1681, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3021, provided that:
"(a) Continuation Under Old Law.—Except as provided in subsection (b), a reserve officer of the Army or the Air Force who, on the effective date of this title [Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title]—
"(1) is subject to placement on the reserve active-status list of the Army or the Air Force; and
"(2)(A) holds the reserve grade of colonel, (B) is on a list of officers recommended for promotion to the reserve grade of colonel, or (C) has been nominated by the President for appointment in the reserve grade of colonel,
shall continue to be subject to mandatory transfer to the Retired Reserve or discharge from the officer's reserve appointment under section 3851 or 8851 of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title.
"(b) Exemption.—This section does not apply to an officer who is—
"(1) sooner transferred from an active status or discharged under some other provision of law;
"(2) promoted to a higher grade, unless the officer was on a list of officers recommended for promotion to the reserve grade of colonel before the effective date of this title; or
"(3) continued on the reserve active-status list under section 14701 of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title."
Mandatory Separation for Age for Certain Reserve Officers of Navy and Marine Corps
Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1690, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3025, provided that:
"(a) Savings Provisions for Required Separation Age.—A reserve officer of the Navy or the Marine Corps—
"(1) who—
"(A) on the effective date of this title [Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title] is in an active status, and
"(B) on the day before the effective date of this title was an officer described in section 6389(e) [now 8373(e)], [former] 6397(a), [former] 6403(a), or [former] 6403(b) of title 10, United States Code; and
"(2) who, on or after the effective date of this title is subject to elimination from an active status under any provision of such title,
is entitled to be treated as that officer would have been treated under [former] section 6397 or 6403 as applicable, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title, if that treatment would result in the date for the officer's separation from an active status being a later date than the date established under the law in effect on or after the effective date of this title.
"(b) Savings Provisions for Mandatory Separation for Age.—An officer who was initially appointed in the Naval Reserve [now Navy Reserve] or the Marine Corps Reserve before January 1, 1953, and who cannot complete 20 years of service computed under section 12732 of this title before he becomes 62 years of age, but can complete this service by the time he becomes 64 years of age, may be retained in an active status not later than the date he becomes 64 years of age.
"(c) An officer who was initially appointed in the Naval Reserve [now Navy Reserve] or the Marine Corps Reserve before the effective date of this title, and who cannot complete 20 years of service computed under section 12732 of this title before he becomes 60 years of age, but can complete this service by the time he becomes 62 years of age, may be retained in an active status not later than the date he becomes 62 years of age."
§14502. Special selection boards: correction of errors
(a) Officers Not Considered Because of Administrative Error.—(1) In the case of an officer or former officer who the Secretary of the military department concerned determines was not considered for selection for promotion from in or above the promotion zone by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title because of administrative error, the Secretary concerned shall convene a special selection board under this subsection to determine whether such officer or former officer should be recommended for promotion. Any such board shall be convened under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense and shall be appointed and composed in accordance with section 14102 of this title and shall include the representation of competitive categories required by that section. The members of a board convened under this subsection shall be required to take an oath in the same manner as prescribed in section 14103 of this title.
(2) A special selection board convened under this subsection shall consider the record of the officer or former officer as that record would have appeared to the promotion board that should have considered the officer or former officer. That record shall be compared with a sampling of the records of those officers of the same grade and competitive category who were recommended for promotion and those officers of the same grade and competitive category who were not recommended for promotion by that board.
(3) If a special selection board convened under paragraph (1) does not recommend for promotion an officer or former officer in a grade below the grade of colonel or, in the case of an officer or former officer of the Navy, captain, whose name was referred to it for consideration, the officer or former officer shall be considered to have failed of selection for promotion.
(b) Officers Considered But Not Selected; Material Error.—(1) In the case of an officer or former officer who was eligible for promotion and was considered for selection for promotion from in or above the promotion zone under this chapter by a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title but was not selected, the Secretary of the military department concerned may, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, convene a special selection board under this subsection to determine whether the officer or former officer should be recommended for promotion, if the Secretary determines that—
(A) the action of the mandatory promotion board that considered the officer or former officer was contrary to law in a matter material to the decision of the board or involved material error of fact or material administrative error; or
(B) the mandatory promotion board did not have before it for its consideration material information.
(2) A special selection board convened under paragraph (1) shall be appointed and composed in accordance with section 14102 of this title (including the representation of competitive categories required by that section), and the members of such a board shall take an oath in the same manner as prescribed in section 14103 of this title.
(3) The special selection board shall consider the record of the officer or former officer as that record, if corrected, would have appeared to the mandatory promotion board that considered the officer or former officer. That record shall be compared with a sampling of the records of those officers of the same grade and competitive category who were recommended for promotion and those officers of the same grade and competitive category who were not recommended for promotion by that board.
(4) If a special selection board convened under paragraph (1) does not recommend for promotion an officer or former officer in the grade of lieutenant colonel or commander or below whose name was referred to it for consideration, the officer or former officer shall be considered to have failed of selection for promotion by the board which did consider the officer but incurs no additional failure of selection for promotion from the action of the special selection board.
(c) Report.—Each special selection board convened under this section shall submit to the Secretary of the military department concerned a written report, signed by each member of the board, containing the name of each officer it recommends for promotion and certifying that the board has considered carefully the record of each officer whose name was referred to it.
(d) Applicable Provisions.—The provisions of sections 14104, 14109, 14110, and 14111 of this title apply to the report and proceedings of a special selection board convened under this section in the same manner as they apply to the report and proceedings of a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title.
(e) Appointment of Officers Recommended for Promotion.—(1) An officer whose name is placed on a promotion list as a result of recommendation for promotion by a special selection board convened under this section, shall, as soon as practicable, be appointed to the next higher grade in accordance with the law and policies which would have been applicable had he been recommended for promotion by the board which should have considered or which did consider him.
(2) An officer who is promoted to the next higher grade as the result of the recommendation of a special selection board convened under this section shall, upon such promotion, have the same date of rank, the same effective date for the pay and allowances of that grade, and the same position on the reserve active-status list as the officer would have had if the officer had been recommended for promotion to that grade by the selection board which should have considered, or which did consider, the officer.
(3) If the report of a special selection board convened under this section, as approved by the President, recommends for promotion to the next higher grade an officer not currently eligible for promotion or a former officer whose name was referred to it for consideration, the Secretary concerned may act under section 1552 of this title to correct the military record of the officer or former officer to correct an error or remove an injustice resulting from not being selected for promotion by the board which should have considered, or which did consider, the officer.
(f) Time Limits for Consideration.—The Secretary of Defense may prescribe by regulation the circumstances under which consideration by a special selection board is contingent upon application for consideration by an officer or former officer and time limits within which an officer or former officer must make such application in order to be considered by a special selection board under this section.
(g) Limitation of Other Jurisdiction.—No official or court of the United States shall have power or jurisdiction—
(1) over any claim based in any way on the failure of an officer or former officer of the armed forces to be selected for promotion by a selection board convened under chapter 1403 of this title until—
(A) the claim has been referred to a special selection board by the Secretary concerned and acted upon by that board; or
(B) the claim has been rejected by the Secretary without consideration by a special selection board; or
(2) to grant any relief on such a claim unless the officer or former officer has been selected for promotion by a special selection board convened under this section to consider the officer's claim.
(h) Judicial Review.—(1) A court of the United States may review a determination by the Secretary concerned under subsection (a)(1), (b)(1), or (e)(3) not to convene a special selection board. If a court finds the determination to be arbitrary or capricious, not based on substantial evidence, or otherwise contrary to law, it shall remand the case to the Secretary concerned, who shall provide for consideration of the officer or former officer by a special selection board under this section.
(2) If a court finds that the action of a special selection board which considers an officer or former officer was contrary to law or involved material error of fact or material administrative error, it shall remand the case to the Secretary concerned, who shall provide the officer or former officer reconsideration by a new special selection board.
(i) Designation of Boards.—The Secretary of the military department concerned may designate a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title as a special selection board convened under this section. A board so designated may function in both capacities.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2947; amended Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §505(c)(3)(B), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1088; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §514(b), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2185; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title V, §§502(c)(2), 512, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 807, 809.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 5904 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(b)(2).
Amendments
2015—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–92, §502(c)(2), struck out "or whose name was not placed on an all-fully-qualified-officers list under section 14308(b)(4) of this title because of administrative error," after "administrative error,".
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 114–92, §512(1), substituted "a mandatory promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title" for "a selection board" in introductory provisions and "mandatory promotion board" for "selection board" in subpars. (A) and (B).
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 114–92, §512(2), in first sentence, substituted "The special selection board" for "Such board" and "mandatory promotion board" for "selection board".
2006—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 109–364 inserted "in a matter material to the decision of the board" after "contrary to law".
2001—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107–107 inserted "or whose name was not placed on an all-fully-qualified-officers list under section 14308(b)(4) of this title because of administrative error," after "because of administrative error,".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–364 effective Mar. 1, 2007, and applicable with respect to selection boards convened on or after that date, see section 514(c) of Pub. L. 109–364, set out as a note under section 628 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14502a. Special selection review boards
(a) In General.—(1) If the Secretary of the military department concerned determines that a person recommended by a promotion board for promotion to a grade at or below the grade of major general or rear admiral in the Navy is the subject of credible information of an adverse nature, including any substantiated adverse finding or conclusion described in section 14107(a)(3)(A) of this title, that was not furnished to the promotion board during its consideration of the person for promotion as otherwise required by such section, the Secretary shall convene a special selection review board under this section to review the person and recommend whether the recommendation for promotion of the person should be sustained.
(2) If a person and the recommendation for promotion of the person is subject to review under this section by a special selection review board convened under this section, the name of the person—
(A) shall not be disseminated or publicly released on the list of officers recommended for promotion by the promotion board recommending the promotion of the person; and
(B) shall not be forwarded for appointment or nomination to the Secretary of Defense, the President, or the Senate, as applicable.
(b) Convening.—(1) Any special selection review board convened under this section shall be convened in accordance with the provisions of section 14502(b)(2) of this title.
(2) Any special selection review board convened under this section may review such number of persons, and recommendations for promotion of such persons, as the Secretary of the military department concerned shall specify in convening such special selection review board.
(c) Information Considered.—(1) In reviewing a person and recommending whether the recommendation for promotion of the person should be sustained under this section, a special selection review board convened under this section shall be furnished and consider the following:
(A) The record and information concerning the person furnished in accordance with section 14107(a)(2) of this title to the promotion board that recommended the person for promotion.
(B) Any credible information of an adverse nature on the person, including any substantiated adverse finding or conclusion from an officially documented investigation or inquiry described in section 14107(a)(3)(A) of this title.
(2) The furnishing of information to a special selection review board under paragraph (1)(B) shall be governed by the standards and procedures referred to in paragraph (3)(B) of section 14107(a) of this title applicable to the furnishing of information described in paragraph (3)(A) of such section to promotion boards in accordance with that section.
(3)(A) Before information on person described in paragraph (1)(B) is furnished to a special selection review board for purposes of this section, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall ensure that—
(i) such information is made available to the person; and
(ii) subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), the person is afforded a reasonable opportunity to submit comments on such information to the special selection review board before its review of the person and the recommendation for promotion of the person under this section.
(B) If information on an officer described in paragraph (1)(B) is not made available to the person as otherwise required by subparagraph (A)(i) due to the classification status of such information, the person shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be furnished a summary of such information appropriate to the person's authorization for access to classified information.
(C)(i) An opportunity to submit comments on information is not required for a person under subparagraph (A)(ii) if—
(I) such information was made available to the person in connection with the furnishing of such information under section 14107(a) of this title to the promotion board that recommended the promotion of the person subject to review under this section; and
(II) the person submitted comments on such information to that promotion board.
(ii) The comments on information of a person described in clause (i)(II) shall be furnished to the special selection review board.
(D) A person may waive either or both of the following:
(i) The right to submit comments to a special selection review board under subparagraph (A)(ii).
(ii) The furnishing of comments to a special selection review board under subparagraph (C)(ii).
(d) Consideration.—(1) In considering the record and information on a person under this section, the special selection review board shall compare such record and information with an appropriate sampling of the records of those officers of the same competitive category who were recommended for promotion by the promotion board that recommended the person for promotion, and an appropriate sampling of the records of those officers who were considered by and not recommended for promotion by that promotion board.
(2) Records and information shall be presented to a special selection review board for purposes of paragraph (1) in a manner that does not indicate or disclose the person or persons for whom the special selection review board was convened.
(3) In considering whether the recommendation for promotion of a person should be sustained under this section, a special selection review board shall, to the greatest extent practicable, apply standards used by the promotion board that recommended the person for promotion.
(4) The recommendation for promotion of a person may be sustained under this section only if the special selection review board determines that the person—
(A) ranks on an order of merit created by the special selection review board as better qualified for promotion than the sample officer highest on the order of merit list who was considered by and not recommended for promotion by the promotion board concerned; and
(B) is comparable in qualification for promotion to those sample officers who were recommended for promotion by that promotion board.
(5) A recommendation for promotion of a person may be sustained under this section only by a vote of a majority of the members of the special selection review board.
(6) If a special selection review board does not sustain a recommendation for promotion of a person under this section, the person shall be considered to have failed of selection for promotion.
(e) Reports.—(1) Each special selection review board convened under this section shall submit to the Secretary of the military department concerned a written report, signed by each member of the board, containing the name of each person whose recommendation for promotion it recommends for sustainment and certifying that the board has carefully considered the record and information of each person whose name was referred to it.
(2) The provisions of sections 14109(c), 14110, and 14111 of this title apply to the report and proceedings of a special selection review board convened under this section in the same manner as they apply to the report and proceedings of a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title.
(f) Appointment of Persons.—(1) If the report of a special selection review board convened under this section recommends the sustainment of the recommendation for promotion to the next higher grade of a person whose name was referred to it for review under this section, and the President approves the report, the person shall, as soon as practicable, be appointed to that grade in accordance with section 14308 of this title.
(2) A person who is appointed to the next higher grade as described in paragraph (1) shall, upon that appointment, have the same date of rank, the same effective date for the pay and allowances of that grade, and the same position on the reserve active-status list as the person would have had pursuant to the original recommendation for promotion of the promotion board concerned.
(g) Regulations.—(1) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. Such regulations shall apply uniformly across the military departments.
(2) Any regulation prescribed by the Secretary of a military department to supplement the regulations prescribed pursuant to paragraph (1) may not take effect without the approval of the Secretary of Defense, in writing.
(h) Promotion Board Defined.—In this section, the term "promotion board" means a selection board convened by the Secretary of a military department under section 14101(a) of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, §505(b)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3569; amended Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §507(b), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 242.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2023—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 118–31 amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: "shall not be forwarded to the Secretary of Defense, the President, or the Senate, as applicable, or included on a promotion list under section 14308(a) of this title."
§14503. Discharge of officers with less than six years of commissioned service or found not qualified for promotion to first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade)
(a) Authorized Discharges.—The Secretary of the military department concerned may discharge any reserve officer who—
(1) has less than six years of service in an active status as a commissioned officer; or
(2) is serving in the grade of second lieutenant or ensign and has been found not qualified for promotion to the grade of first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade).
(b) Time for Discharge.—(1) An officer described in subsection (a)(2)—
(A) may be discharged at any time after being found not qualified for promotion; and
(B) if not sooner discharged, shall be discharged at the end of the 18-month period beginning on the date on which the officer is first found not qualified for promotion.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the officer is sooner promoted.
(c) Regulations.—Discharges under this section shall be made under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense and may be made without regard to section 12645 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2949; amended Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title V, §503(c)(1), (2), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 95.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in subsecs. (a) and (b) of this section were contained in sections 3819(b) and 8819(c) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(2), (c)(2).
Amendments
2008—Pub. L. 110–181, §503(c)(2), substituted "six years" for "five years" in section catchline.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 110–181, §503(c)(1), substituted "six years" for "five years".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
Rights for Officers With Over Three Years Service
Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1689, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3025, provided that: "A reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who was in an active status on the day before the effective date of this title [Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title] and who was subject to placement of the reserve active-status list on the effective date of this title may not be discharged under section 14503 of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title, until on or after the day on which that officer completes three years of continuous service as a reserve commissioned officer."
§14504. Effect of failure of selection for promotion: reserve first lieutenants of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and reserve lieutenants (junior grade) of the Navy
(a) General Rule.—A first lieutenant on the reserve active-status list of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps or a lieutenant (junior grade) on the reserve active-status list of the Navy who has failed of selection for promotion to the next higher grade for the second time and whose name is not on a list of officers recommended for promotion to the next higher grade shall be separated in accordance with section 14513 of this title not later than the first day of the seventh month after the month in which the President approves the report of the board which considered the officer for the second time.
(b) Exceptions.—Subsection (a) does not apply (1) in the case of an officer retained as provided by regulation of the Secretary of the military department concerned in order to meet planned mobilization needs for a period not in excess of 24 months beginning with the date on which the President approves the report of the selection board which resulted in the second failure, or (2) as provided in section 12646 or 12686 of this title.
(c) Officers in Grade of First Lieutenant or Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Found Not Fully Qualified for Promotion.—For the purposes of this chapter, an officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps on a reserve active-status list who holds the grade of first lieutenant, and an officer of the Navy on a reserve active-status list who holds the grade of lieutenant (junior grade), shall be treated as having failed of selection for promotion if the Secretary of the military department concerned determines that the officer would be eligible for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade by a selection board convened under section 14101(a) of this title if such a board were convened but is not fully qualified for promotion when recommending for promotion under section 14308(b)(4) of this title all fully qualified officers of the officer's armed force in such grade who would be eligible for such consideration.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2950; amended Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §505(b)(2), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1087.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2001—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–107 added subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14505. Effect of failure of selection for promotion: reserve captains of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and reserve lieutenants of the Navy
Unless retained as provided in section 12646 or 12686 of this title, a captain on the reserve active-status list of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps or a lieutenant on the reserve active-status list of the Navy who has failed of selection for promotion to the next higher grade for the second time and whose name is not on a list of officers recommended for promotion to the next higher grade and who has not been selected for continuation on the reserve active-status list under section 14701 of this title, shall be separated in accordance with section 14513 of this title not later than the first day of the seventh month after the month in which the President approves the report of the board which considered the officer for the second time.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2950.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14506. Effect of failure of selection for promotion: reserve majors of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and reserve lieutenant commanders of the Navy
Unless retained as provided in section 12646, 12686, 14701, or 14702 of this title, each reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who holds the grade of major or lieutenant commander who has failed of selection to the next higher grade for the second time and whose name is not on a list of officers recommended for promotion to the next higher grade shall, if not earlier removed from the reserve active-status list, be removed from that list in accordance with section 14513 of this title on the later of (1) the first day of the month after the month in which the officer completes 20 years of commissioned service, or (2) the first day of the seventh month after the month in which the President approves the report of the board which considered the officer for the second time.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2951; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(b)(29), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 498; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §514(a), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 593.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1999—Pub. L. 106–65 inserted "the later of (1)" after "in accordance with section 14513 of this title on" and ", or (2) the first day of the seventh month after the month in which the President approves the report of the board which considered the officer for the second time" before the period at end.
1996—Pub. L. 104–106 inserted comma after "Force" in section catchline.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §514(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 593, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to removals of reserve officers from reserve active-status lists under section 14506 of title 10, United States Code, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 1999]."
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective as if included in the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of Pub. L. 103–337, as enacted on Oct. 5, 1994, see section 1501(f)(3) of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14507. Removal from the reserve active-status list for years of service: reserve lieutenant colonels and colonels of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and reserve commanders and captains of the Navy
(a) Lieutenant Colonels and Commanders.—Unless continued on the reserve active-status list under section 14701 or 14702 of this title or retained as provided in section 12646 or 12686 of this title, each reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who holds the grade of lieutenant colonel or commander and who is not on a list of officers recommended for promotion to the next higher grade shall (if not earlier removed from the reserve active-status list) be removed from that list under section 14514 of this title on the first day of the month after the month in which the officer completes 28 years of commissioned service.
(b) Colonels and Navy Captains.—Unless continued on the reserve active-status list under section 14701 or 14702 of this title or retained as provided in section 12646 or 12686 of this title, each reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps who holds the grade of colonel, and each reserve officer of the Navy who holds the grade of captain, and who is not on a list of officers recommended for promotion to the next higher grade shall (if not earlier removed from the reserve active-status list) be removed from that list under section 14514 of this title on the first day of the month after the month in which the officer completes 30 years of commissioned service. This subsection does not apply to the adjutant general or assistant adjutants general of a State.
(c) Temporary Authority To Retain Certain Officers Designated as Judge Advocates.—(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b), the Secretary of the Air Force may retain on the reserve active-status list any reserve officer of the Air Force who is designated as a judge advocate and who obtained the first professional degree in law while on an educational delay program subsequent to being commissioned through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.
(2) No more than 50 officers may be retained on the reserve active-status list under the authority of paragraph (1) at any time.
(3) No officer may be retained on the reserve active-status list under the authority of paragraph (1) for a period exceeding three years from the date on which, but for that authority, that officer would have been removed from the reserve active-status list under subsection (a) or (b).
(4) The authority of the Secretary of the Air Force under paragraph (1) expires on September 30, 2003.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2951; amended Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title V, §508(a), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2513.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–201 added subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title V, §508(b), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2513, provided that: "Subsection (c) of section 14507 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on October 1, 1996."
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14508. Removal from the reserve active-status list for years of service: reserve general and flag officers
(a) Thirty Years Service or Five Years in Grade for Brigadier Generals and Rear Admirals (Lower Half).—Unless retired, transferred to the Retired Reserve, or discharged at an earlier date, each reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps in the grade of brigadier general who has not been recommended for promotion to the grade of major general, and each reserve officer of the Navy in the grade of rear admiral (lower half) who has not been recommended for promotion to rear admiral shall, 30 days after completion of 30 years of commissioned service or on the fifth anniversary of the date of the officer's appointment in the grade of brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half), whichever is later, be separated in accordance with section 14514 of this title.
(b) Thirty-Five Years Service or Five Years in Grade for Major Generals and Rear Admirals.—Unless retired, transferred to the Retired Reserve, or discharged at an earlier date, each reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps in the grade of major general, and each reserve officer of the Navy in the grade of rear admiral, shall, 30 days after completion of 35 years of commissioned service or on the fifth anniversary of the date of the officer's appointment in the grade of major general or rear admiral, whichever is later, be separated in accordance with section 14514 of this title.
(c) Thirty-Eight Years of Service for Lieutenant Generals and Vice Admirals.—Unless retired, transferred to the Retired Reserve, or discharged at an earlier date, each reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps in the grade of lieutenant general and each reserve officer of the Navy in the grade of vice admiral shall be separated in accordance with section 14514 of this title on the later of the following:
(1) 30 days after completion of 38 years of commissioned service.
(2) The fifth anniversary of the date of the officer's appointment in the grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral.
(d) Forty Years of Service for Generals and Admirals.—Unless retired, transferred to the Retired Reserve, or discharged at an earlier date, each reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps in the grade of general and each reserve officer of the Navy in the grade of admiral shall be separated in accordance with section 14514 of this title on the first day of the first month beginning after the date of the fifth anniversary of the officer's appointment to that grade or 30 days after the date on which the officer completes 40 years of commissioned service, whichever is later.
(e) Retention of Brigadier Generals.—A reserve officer of the Army or Air Force in the grade of brigadier general who would otherwise be removed from an active status under subsection (a) may, in the discretion of the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force, as the case may be, be retained in an active status, but not later than the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 62 years of age. Not more than 10 officers of the Army and not more than 10 officers of the Air Force may be retained under this subsection at any one time.
(f) Retention of Major Generals.—A reserve officer of the Army or Air Force in the grade of major general who would otherwise be removed from an active status under subsection (b) may, in the discretion of the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force, as the case may be, be retained in an active status, but not later than the date on which the officer becomes 64 years of age. Not more than 10 officers of the Army and not more than 10 officers of the Air Force may be retained under this subsection at any one time.
(g) Retention of Lieutenant Generals.—A reserve officer of the Army or Air Force in the grade of lieutenant general who would otherwise be removed from an active status under subsection (c) may, in the discretion of the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force, as the case may be, be retained in an active status, but not later than the date on which the officer becomes 66 years of age.
(h) Exception for State Adjutants General and Assistant Adjutants General.—This section does not apply to an officer who is the adjutant general or assistant adjutant general of a State.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2951; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(b)(30), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 498; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title V, §521(b), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1734; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §503(e), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2178; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title V, §513, title XVIII, §1825(c)(1), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 99, 502; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title V, §515, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4442.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3851, 3852, 6389(f)(1), (2), 8851, and 8852 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §§1628(4), 1629(a)(3), (c)(3).
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–181, §513(b)(1), inserted "for Brigadier Generals and Rear Admirals (Lower Half)" after "Grade" in heading.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–181, §513(b)(2), inserted "for Major Generals and Rear Admirals" after "Grade" in heading.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–181, §513(a)(2), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (e).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–181, §1825(c)(1), added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (f).
Pub. L. 110–181, §513(a)(1), redesignated subsec. (d) as (f).
Subsecs. (e) and (f). Pub. L. 110–181, §513(a)(1), redesignated subsecs. (c) and (d) as (e) and (f), respectively.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–417, §515(2), added subsec. (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).
Pub. L. 110–181, §513(a)(1), redesignated subsec. (e) as (g).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 110–417, §515(1), redesignated subsec. (g) as (h).
2006—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–364, §503(e)(1), substituted "62" for "60".
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–364, §503(e)(2), substituted "64" for "62".
1997—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–85 substituted "not later than the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 60 years of age" for "not later than the date on which the officer becomes 60 years of age".
1996—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 104–106 struck out "this" after "from an active status under".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective as if included in the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of Pub. L. 103–337, as enacted on Oct. 5, 1994, see section 1501(f)(3) of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14509. Separation at age 62: reserve officers in grades below brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half)
Each reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps in a grade below brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half) who has not been recommended for promotion to the grade of brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half) and is not a member of the Retired Reserve shall, on the last day of the month in which that officer becomes 62 years of age, be separated in accordance with section 14515 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2952; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §503(c), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2178.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Pub. L. 109–364 substituted "62" for "60" in section catchline and text.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14510. Separation at age 62: brigadier generals and rear admirals (lower half)
Unless retired, transferred to the Retired Reserve, or discharged at an earlier date, each reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps in the grade of brigadier general who has not been recommended for promotion to the grade of major general, and each reserve rear admiral (lower half) of the Navy who has not been recommended for promotion to the grade of rear admiral, except an officer covered by section 14512 of this title, shall be separated in accordance with section 14515 of this title on the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 62 years of age.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2952; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §503(b), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2178.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3843(a) and 8843 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(3), (c)(3).
Amendments
2006—Pub. L. 109–364 substituted "age 62: brigadier generals" for "age 60: reserve brigadier generals" in section catchline and "62" for "60" in text.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14511. Separation at age 64: officers in grade of major general or rear admiral and above
(a) Separation Required.—Unless retired, transferred to the Retired Reserve, or discharged at an earlier date, each reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps in the grade of major general or above and each reserve officer of the Navy in the grade of rear admiral or above shall be separated in accordance with section 14515 of this title on the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 64 years of age.
(b) Exception for Officers Serving in O–9 and O–10 Positions.—The retirement of a reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps in the grade of lieutenant general or general, or a reserve officer of the Navy in the grade of vice admiral or admiral, under subsection (a) may be deferred—
(1) by the President, but such a deferment may not extend beyond the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 68 years of age; or
(2) by the Secretary of Defense, but such a deferment may not extend beyond the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 66 years of age.
(c) Exception for Officers Holding Certain Offices.—This section does not apply to an officer covered by section 14512 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2953; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §503(a), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2178; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title XVIII, §1825(a)(1), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 501.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3844 and 8844 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(3), (c)(3).
Amendments
2008—Pub. L. 110–181 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Unless retired, transferred to the Retired Reserve, or discharged at an earlier date, each reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps in the grade of major general and each reserve officer of the Navy in the grade of rear admiral, except an officer covered by section 14512 of this title, shall be separated in accordance with section 14515 of this title on the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 64 years of age."
2006—Pub. L. 109–364 substituted "64" for "62" in section catchline and text.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14512. Separation at age 66: officers holding certain offices
(a) Army and Air Force.—(1) Unless retired, transferred to the Retired Reserve, or discharged at an earlier date, a reserve officer of the Army or Air Force who is specified in paragraph (2) shall on the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 66 years of age, be separated in accordance with section 14515 of this title.
(2) Paragraph (1) applies to a reserve officer of the Army or Air Force who is any of the following:
(A) The Chief of the Army Reserve, Chief of the Air Force Reserve, Director of the Army National Guard, or Director of the Air National Guard.
(B) An adjutant general.
(C) If a reserve officer of the Army, the commanding general of the troops of a State.
(b) Navy and Marine Corps.—(1) The Secretary of the Navy may defer the retirement under section 14510 or 14511 of a reserve officer of the Navy in a grade above captain or a reserve officer of the Marine Corps in a grade above colonel and retain the officer in an active status until the officer becomes 66 years of age. Not more than 10 officers may be so deferred at any one time, distributed between the Navy Reserve and the Marine Corps Reserve as the Secretary determines.
(2) The Secretary of Defense may defer the retirement of a reserve officer serving in the position of Chief of the Navy Reserve or Commander of the Marine Forces Reserve, but such deferment may not extend beyond the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 66 years of age. A deferment under this paragraph shall not count toward the limitation on the total number of officers whose retirement may be deferred at any one time under paragraph (1).
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2953; amended Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §§511, 515(b)(1)(UU), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3231, 3234; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §503(d), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2178; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title XVIII, §1825(b), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 502.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3845, 6391(b), and 8845 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(3), (b)(3), (c)(3).
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 110–181, §1825(b)(1), redesignated subpars. (B) to (D) as (A) to (C), respectively, and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: "The Chief of the National Guard Bureau."
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–181, §1825(b)(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).
2006—Pub. L. 109–364, §503(d)(2), substituted "66" for "64" in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–163, §511, designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted "who is specified in paragraph (2)" for "who is Chief of the National Guard Bureau, an adjutant general, or if a reserve officer of the Army, commanding general of the troops of a State,", and added par. (2).
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–364, §503(d)(1), substituted "66" for "64".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–364, §503(d)(1), substituted "66" for "64".
Pub. L. 109–163, §515(b)(1)(UU), substituted "Navy Reserve" for "Naval Reserve".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14513. Failure of selection for promotion: transfer, retirement, or discharge
Each reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who is in an active status and whose removal from an active status or from a reserve active-status list is required by section 14504, 14505, or 14506 of this title shall (unless the officer's separation is deferred or the officer is continued in an active status under another provision of law) not later than the date specified in those sections—
(1) be transferred to an inactive status if the Secretary concerned determines that the officer has skills which may be required to meet the mobilization needs of the officer's armed force;
(2) be transferred to the Retired Reserve if the officer is qualified for such transfer and does not request (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned) not to be transferred to the Retired Reserve; or
(3) if the officer is not transferred to an inactive status or to the Retired Reserve, be discharged from the officer's reserve appointment.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2953; amended Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §517(b)(1), (2)(A), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1094.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2001—Pub. L. 107–107, §517(b)(2)(A), substituted "Failure of selection for promotion: transfer, retirement, or discharge" for "Separation for failure of selection of promotion" in section catchline.
Par. (2). Pub. L. 107–107, §517(b)(1), substituted "if the officer is qualified for such transfer and does not request (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned) not to be transferred to the Retired Reserve" for ", if the officer is qualified and applies for such transfer".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–107 effective on the first day of the first month that begins more than 180 days after Dec. 28, 2001, see section 517(g) of Pub. L. 107–107, set out as a note under section 10154 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14514. Discharge or retirement for years of service or after selection for early removal
Each reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who is in an active status and who is required to be removed from an active status or from a reserve active-status list, as the case may be, under section 14507, 14508, 14704, or 14705 of this title (unless the officer is sooner separated or the officer's separation is deferred or the officer is continued in an active status under another provision of law), in accordance with those sections, shall—
(1) be transferred to the Retired Reserve if the officer is qualified for such transfer and does not request (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned) not to be transferred to the Retired Reserve; or
(2) be discharged from the officer's reserve appointment if the officer is not qualified for transfer to the Retired Reserve or has requested (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned) not to be so transferred.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2953; amended Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §517(c), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1094.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2001—Par. (1). Pub. L. 107–107, §517(c)(1), substituted "if the officer is qualified for such transfer and does not request (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned) not to be transferred to the Retired Reserve" for ", if the officer is qualified and applies for such transfer".
Par. (2). Pub. L. 107–107, §517(c)(2), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "if the officer is not qualified or does not apply for such transfer, be discharged from the officer's reserve appointment."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–107 effective on the first day of the first month that begins more than 180 days after Dec. 28, 2001, see section 517(g) of Pub. L. 107–107, set out as a note under section 10154 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14515. Discharge or retirement for age
Each reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who is in an active status or on an inactive-status list and who reaches the maximum age specified in section 14509, 14510, 14511, or 14512 of this title for the officer's grade or position shall (unless the officer is sooner separated or the officer's separation is deferred or the officer is continued in an active status under another provision of law) not later than the last day of the month in which the officer reaches that maximum age—
(1) be transferred to the Retired Reserve if the officer is qualified for such transfer and does not request (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned) not to be transferred to the Retired Reserve; or
(2) be discharged from the officer's reserve appointment if the officer is not qualified for transfer to the Retired Reserve or has requested (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned) not to be so transferred.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2954; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(b)(31), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 498; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §517(d), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1095.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2001—Par. (1). Pub. L. 107–107, §517(d)(1), substituted "if the officer is qualified for such transfer and does not request (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned) not to be transferred to the Retired Reserve" for ", if the officer is qualified and applies for such transfer".
Par. (2). Pub. L. 107–107, §517(d)(2), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "if the officer is not qualified or does not apply for transfer to the Retired Reserve, be discharged from the officer's reserve appointment."
1996—Pub. L. 104–106 substituted "inactive-status" for "inactive status" in introductory provisions.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–107 effective on the first day of the first month that begins more than 180 days after Dec. 28, 2001, see section 517(g) of Pub. L. 107–107, set out as a note under section 10154 of this title.
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective as if included in the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of Pub. L. 103–337, as enacted on Oct. 5, 1994, see section 1501(f)(3) of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14516. Separation to be considered involuntary
The separation of an officer pursuant to section 14513, 14514, or 14515 of this title shall be considered to be an involuntary separation for purposes of any other provision of law.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2954.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14517. Entitlement of officers discharged under this chapter to separation pay
An officer who is discharged under section 14513, 14514, or 14515 of this title is entitled to separation pay under section 1174 of this title if otherwise eligible under that section.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2954.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14518. Continuation of officers to complete disciplinary action
The Secretary concerned may delay the separation or retirement under this chapter of an officer against whom an action has been commenced with a view to trying the officer by court-martial. Any such delay may continue until the completion of the disciplinary action against the officer.
(Added Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §511(a), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 592.)
§14519. Deferment of retirement or separation for medical reasons
(a) Authority.—If, in the case of an officer required to be retired or separated under this chapter or chapter 1409 of this title, the Secretary concerned determines that the evaluation of the physical condition of the officer and determination of the officer's entitlement to retirement or separation for physical disability require hospitalization or medical observation and that such hospitalization or medical observation cannot be completed with confidence in a manner consistent with the officer's well being before the date on which the officer would otherwise be required to retire or be separated, the Secretary may defer the retirement or separation of the officer.
(b) Period of Deferment.—A deferral of retirement or separation under subsection (a) may not extend for more than 30 days after the completion of the evaluation requiring hospitalization or medical observation.
(Added Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title V, §522(a), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2540.)
CHAPTER 1409—CONTINUATION OF OFFICERS ON THE RESERVE ACTIVE-STATUS LIST AND SELECTIVE EARLY REMOVAL
14701.
Selection of officers for continuation on the reserve active-status list.
14702.
Retention on reserve active-status list of certain officers in the grade of major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, or brigadier general.
14703.
Authority to retain chaplains and officers in medical specialties until specified age.
14704.
Selective early removal from the reserve active-status list.
14705.
Selective early retirement: reserve general and flag officers of the Navy and Marine Corps.
14706.
Computation of total years of service.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2008—Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title V, §514(c)(2), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4442, added item 14702 and struck out former item 14702 "Retention on reserve active-status list of certain officers until age 60".
§14701. Selection of officers for continuation on the reserve active-status list
(a) Consideration for Continuation.—(1)(A) A reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps described in subparagraph (B) who is required to be removed from the reserve active-status list under section 14504 of this title, or a reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who is required to be removed from the reserve active-status list under section 14505, 14506, or 14507 of this title, may be considered for continuation on the reserve active-status list under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.
(B) A reserve officer covered by this subparagraph is a reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps who holds the grade of first lieutenant, or a reserve officer of the Navy who holds the grade of lieutenant (junior grade), and who—
(i) is a health professions officer; or
(ii) is actively pursuing an undergraduate program of education leading to a baccalaureate degree.
(C) The consideration of a reserve officer for continuation on the reserve active-status list pursuant to this paragraph is subject to the needs of the service and to section 14509 of this title.
(2) A reserve officer who holds the grade of captain in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps or the grade of lieutenant in the Navy and who is subject to separation under section 14513 of this title may not be continued on the reserve active-status list under this subsection for a period which extends beyond the last day of the month in which the officer completes 20 years of commissioned service.
(3) A reserve officer who holds the grade of major or lieutenant commander and who is subject to separation under section 14513 of this title may not be continued on the reserve active-status list under this subsection for a period which extends beyond the last day of the month in which the officer completes 24 years of commissioned service.
(4) A reserve officer who holds the grade of lieutenant colonel or commander and who is subject to separation under section 14514 of this title may not be continued on the reserve active-status list under this subsection for a period which extends beyond the last day of the month in which the officer completes 33 years of commissioned service.
(5) A reserve officer who holds the grade of colonel in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps or the grade of captain in the Navy and who is subject to separation under section 14514 of this title may not be continued on the reserve active-status list under this subsection for a period which extends beyond the last day of the month in which the officer completes 35 years of commissioned service.
(6) An officer who is selected for continuation on the reserve active-status list under regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) but who declines to continue on that list shall be separated in accordance with section 14513 or 14514 of this title, as the case may be.
(7) Each officer who is continued on the reserve active-status list under this section, who is not subsequently promoted or continued on the active-status list, and whose name is not on a list of officers recommended for promotion to the next higher grade shall (unless sooner separated under another provision of law) be separated in accordance with section 14513 or 14514 of this title, as appropriate, upon the expiration of the period for which the officer was continued on the reserve active-status list.
(b) Continuation of Health Professions Officers.—(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(6), a health professions officer obligated to a period of service incurred under section 16201 of this title who is required to be removed from the reserve active-status list under section 14504, 14505, 14506, or 14507 of this title and who has not completed a service obligation incurred under section 16201 of this title shall be retained on the reserve active-status list until the completion of such service obligation and then discharged, unless sooner retired or discharged under another provision of law.
(2) The Secretary concerned may waive the applicability of paragraph (1) to any officer if the Secretary determines that completion of the service obligation of that officer is not in the best interest of the service.
(3) A health professions officer who is continued on the reserve active-status list under this subsection who is subsequently promoted or whose name is on a list of officers recommended for promotion to the next higher grade is not required to be discharged or retired upon completion of the officer's service obligation. Such officer may continue on the reserve active-status list as other officers of the same grade unless separated under another provision of law.
(c) Regulations.—The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations for the administration of this section.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2954; amended Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title V, §522], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-108; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title V, §511(a), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1459; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title V, §511, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3357.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2014—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 113–291, §511(a), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), substituted "A reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps described in subparagraph (B) who is required to be removed from the reserve active-status list under section 14504 of this title, or a reserve officer of" for "A reserve officer of" and "of this title, may" for "of this title may, subject to the needs of the service and to section 14509 of this title,", and added subpars. (B) and (C).
Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 113–291, §511(b), added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c).
2003—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–136, §511(a)(1)(A), substituted "under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense" for "by a selection board convened under section 14101(b) of this title".
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 108–136, §511(a)(1)(B), substituted "under regulations prescribed under paragraph (1)" for "as a result of the convening of a selection board under section 14101(b) of this title".
Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 108–136, §511(a)(2), (3), redesignated subsec. (d) as (b) and struck out former subsecs. (b) and (c) which read as follows:
"(b) Approval of Secretary Concerned.—Continuation of an officer on the reserve active-status list under this section pursuant to action of a continuation board convened under section 14101(b) of this title is subject to the approval of the Secretary of the military department concerned.
"(c) Instructions To Continuation Boards.—A continuation board convened under section 14101(b) of this title to consider officers for continuation on the reserve active-status list under this section shall act in accordance with the instructions and directions provided to the board by the Secretary of the military department concerned."
2000—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 106–398 substituted "A reserve officer" for "Upon application, a reserve officer".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14702. Retention on reserve active-status list of certain officers in the grade of major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, or brigadier general
(a) Retention.—Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14506, 14507, or 14508 of this title, the Secretary of the military department concerned may, with the officer's consent, retain on the reserve active-status list an officer in the grade of major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, or brigadier general who is—
(1) an officer of the Army National Guard of the United States and assigned to a headquarters or headquarters detachment of a State; or
(2) a reserve officer of the Army or Air Force who, as a condition of continued employment as a National Guard or Reserve technician is required by the Secretary concerned to maintain membership in a Selected Reserve unit or organization.
(b) Separation for Age.—An officer may be retained under this section only so long as the officer continues to meet the conditions of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a). An officer described in paragraph (1) of such subsection may not be retained under this section after the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 62 years of age. An officer described in paragraph (2) of such subsection may not be retained under this section after the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 60 years of age.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2955; amended Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title V, §521(a), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1734; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title V, §514(b), (c)(1), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4441.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2008—Pub. L. 110–417, §514(c)(1), amended section catchline generally. Prior to amendment, catchline read as follows: "Retention on reserve active-status list of certain officers until age 60".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–417, §514(b), in heading, substituted "for Age" for "at Age 60" and, in text, substituted "paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a)" for "subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2)" and "An officer described in paragraph (1) of such subsection may not be retained under this section after the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 62 years of age. An officer described in paragraph (2) of such subsection may not be retained under this section after the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 60 years of age." for "An officer may not be retained under this section after the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 60 years of age."
1997—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–85, in introductory provisions, substituted "section 14506, 14507, or 14508" for "section 14506 or 14507" and "colonel, or brigadier general" for "or colonel".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14703. Authority to retain chaplains and officers in medical specialties until specified age
(a) Retention.—Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 1407 of this title and except for officers referred to in sections 14503, 14504, 14505, and 14506 of this title and under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense—
(1) the Secretary of the Army may, with the officer's consent, retain in an active status any reserve officer assigned to the Medical Corps, the Dental Corps, the Veterinary Corps, the Medical Services Corps (if the officer has been designated as allied health officer or biomedical sciences officer in that Corps), the Optometry Section of the Medical Services Corps, the Chaplains, the Army Nurse Corps, or the Army Medical Specialists Corps;
(2) the Secretary of the Navy may, with the officer's consent, retain in an active status any reserve officer appointed in the Medical Corps, Dental Corps, Nurse Corps, or Chaplain Corps or appointed in the Medical Services Corps and designated to perform as a veterinarian, optometrist, podiatrist, allied health officer, or biomedical sciences officer; and
(3) the Secretary of the Air Force may, with the officer's consent, retain in an active status any reserve officer who is designated as a medical officer, dental officer, Air Force nurse, Medical Service Corps officer, biomedical sciences officer, or chaplain.
(b) Separation at Specified Age.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), an officer may not be retained in active status under this section later than the date on which the officer becomes 68 years of age.
(2) The Secretary concerned may, with the consent of the officer, retain in an active status an officer in a medical specialty described in subsection (a) beyond the date described in paragraph (1) of this subsection if the Secretary concerned determines that such retention is necessary to the military department concerned. Each such retention shall be made on a case-by-case basis and for such period as the Secretary concerned determines appropriate.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2956; amended Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §516, Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 594; Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title V, §523], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-108; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title V, §516(a), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4442; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §516, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1349.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3855(a), (c)(1), 6392(a), (c)(1), and 8855(a), (c)(1) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(3), (b)(3), (c)(3).
Amendments
2019—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–92 designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted "Subject to paragraph (2), an" for "An", and added par. (2).
2008—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–417 substituted "68 years" for "67 years".
2000—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 106–398 substituted "Air Force nurse, Medical Service Corps officer, biomedical sciences officer, or chaplain." for "veterinary officer, Air Force nurse, or chaplain or who is designated as a biomedical sciences officer and is qualified for service as a veterinarian, optometrist, or podiatrist."
1999—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–65 struck out "(or, in the case of a reserve officer of the Army in the Chaplains or a reserve officer of the Air Force designated as a chaplain, 60 years of age)" after "67 years of age".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14704. Selective early removal from the reserve active-status list
(a) Boards To Recommend Officers for Removal From Reserve Active-Status List.—(1) Whenever the Secretary of the military department concerned determines that there are in any reserve component under the jurisdiction of the Secretary too many officers in any grade and competitive category who have at least 30 years of service computed under section 14706 of this title or at least 20 years of service computed under section 12732 of this title, the Secretary may convene a selection board under section 14101(b) of this title to consider officers on the reserve active-status list who are in that grade and competitive category, and who have that amount of service, for the purpose of recommending officers by name for removal from that list.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the list of officers in a reserve component whose names are submitted to a board under paragraph (1) shall include each officer on the reserve active-status list for that reserve component in the same grade and competitive category whose position on the reserve active-status list is between—
(A) that of the most junior officer in that grade and competitive category whose name is submitted to the board; and
(B) that of the most senior officer in that grade and competitive category whose name is submitted to the board.
(3) A list submitted to a board under paragraph (1) may not include an officer who—
(A) has been approved for voluntary retirement; or
(B) is to be involuntarily retired under any provision of law during the fiscal year in which the board is convened or during the following fiscal year.
(b) Specification of Number of Officers Who May Be Recommended for Separation.—The Secretary of the military department concerned shall specify the number of officers described in subsection (a)(1) that a board may recommend for separation under subsection (c).
(c) Separation of Officers Selected.—In the case of an officer recommended for separation in the report of a board under subsection (a), the Secretary may separate the officer in accordance with section 14514 of this title.
(d) Regulations.—The Secretary of the military department concerned shall prescribe regulations for the administration of this section.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2956; amended Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title V, §503(b), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 750.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3850 and 8850 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(3), (c)(3).
Amendments
2013—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–66, §503(b)(1), designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted "officers on the reserve active-status list" for "all officers on that list" and "that list." for "the reserve active-status list, in the number specified by the Secretary by each grade and competitive category." in par. (1), and added pars. (2) and (3).
Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 113–66, §503(b)(2), (3), added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsecs. (b) and (c) as (c) and (d), respectively.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14705. Selective early retirement: reserve general and flag officers of the Navy and Marine Corps
(a) Authority To Consider.—An officer in the Navy Reserve in an active status serving in the grade of rear admiral (lower half) or rear admiral and an officer in the Marine Corps Reserve in an active status serving in the grade of brigadier general or major general may be considered for early retirement whenever the Secretary of the Navy determines that such action is necessary.
(b) Boards.—(1) If the Secretary of the Navy determines that consideration of officers for early retirement under this section is necessary, the Secretary shall convene a selection board under section 14101(b) of this title to recommend an appropriate number of officers for early retirement.
(2) In the case of such a board convened to consider officers in the grade of rear admiral or major general, the Secretary of the Navy may appoint the board without regard to section 14102(b) of this title. In doing so, however, the Secretary shall ensure that—
(A) each regular commissioned officer appointed to the board holds a grade higher than the grade of rear admiral or major general; and
(B) at least one member of the board is a reserve officer who holds the grade of rear admiral or major general.
(c) Separation Under Section 14514.—An officer selected for early retirement under this section shall be separated in accordance with section 14514 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2957; amended Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title V, §515, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2008; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title V, §511(b)(3), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1459; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §515(b)(1)(VV), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3234.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 6389(f)(3) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1628(4).
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted "Navy Reserve" for "Naval Reserve".
2003—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 108–136 substituted "selection board" for "continuation board".
1998—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–261 designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted "of officers" after "consideration" and "continuation" after "shall convene a", and added par. (2).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14706. Computation of total years of service
(a) For the purpose of this chapter and chapter 1407 of this title, a Reserve officer's years of service include all service of the officer as a commissioned officer of a uniformed service other than the following:
(1) Service as a warrant officer.
(2) Constructive service.
(3) Service after appointment as a commissioned officer of a reserve component while in a program of advanced education to obtain the first professional degree required for appointment, designation, or assignment to a professional specialty, but only if that service occurs before the officer commences initial service on active duty or initial service in the Ready Reserve in the specialty that results from such a degree.
(b) The exclusion under subsection (a)(3) does not apply to service performed by an officer who previously served on active duty or participated as a member of the Ready Reserve in other than a student status for the period of service preceding the member's service in a student status.
(c) For purposes of subsection (a)(3), an officer shall be considered to be in a professional specialty if the officer is appointed or assigned to the Medical Corps, the Dental Corps, the Veterinary Corps, the Medical Service Corps, the Nurse Corps, or the Army Medical Specialists Corps or is designated as a chaplain or judge advocate.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2957; amended Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §515, Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 594.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3853 and 8853 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(3), (c)(3).
Amendments
1999—Pub. L. 106–65 amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "For the purpose of this chapter and chapter 1407 of this title, a reserve officer's years of service include all service, other than constructive service, of the officer as a commissioned officer of any uniformed service (other than service as a warrant officer)."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
CHAPTER 1411—ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION
14901.
Separation of chaplains for loss of professional qualifications.
14902.
Separation for substandard performance and for certain other reasons.
14904.
Rights and procedures.
14905.
Officer considered for removal: retirement or discharge.
14906.
Officers eligible to serve on boards.
14907.
Army National Guard of the United States and Air National Guard of the United States: discharge and withdrawal of Federal recognition of officers absent without leave.
§14901. Separation of chaplains for loss of professional qualifications
(a) Separation.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, an officer on the reserve active-status list who is appointed or designated as a chaplain may, if the officer fails to maintain the qualifications needed to perform the professional function of a chaplain, be discharged. The authority under the preceding sentence applies without regard to the provisions of section 12645 of this title.
(b) Effect of Separation.—If an officer separated under this section is eligible for retirement, the officer may be retired. If the officer has completed the years of service required for eligibility for retired pay under chapter 1223 of this title, the officer may be transferred to the Retired Reserve.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2957.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14902. Separation for substandard performance and for certain other reasons
(a) Substandard Performance of Duty.—The Secretary of the military department concerned shall prescribe, by regulation, procedures for the review at any time of the record of any reserve officer to determine whether that officer should be required, because that officer's performance has fallen below standards prescribed by the Secretary concerned, to show cause for retention in an active status.
(b) Misconduct, Etc.—The Secretary of the military department concerned shall prescribe, by regulation, procedures for the review at any time of the record of any reserve officer to determine whether that officer should be required, because of misconduct, because of moral or professional dereliction, or because the officer's retention is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security, to show cause for retention in an active status.
(c) Regulations.—The authority of the Secretary of a military department under this section shall be carried out subject to such limitations as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe by regulation.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2958.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14903. Boards of inquiry
(a) Convening of Boards.—The Secretary of the military department concerned shall convene a board of inquiry at such time and place as the Secretary may prescribe to receive evidence and review the case of any officer who has been required to show cause for retention in an active status under section 14902 of this title. Each board of inquiry shall be composed of not less than three officers who have the qualifications prescribed in section 14906 of this title.
(b) Right to Fair Hearing.—A board of inquiry shall give a fair and impartial hearing to each officer required under section 14902 of this title to show cause for retention in an active status.
(c) Recommendations to Secretary.—If a board of inquiry determines that the officer has failed to establish that the officer should be retained in an active status, the board shall recommend to the Secretary concerned that the officer not be retained in an active status.
(d) Action by Secretary.—After review of the recommendation of the board of inquiry, the Secretary may—
(1) remove the officer from an active status; or
(2) determine that the case be closed.
(e) Action in Cases Where Cause for Retention Is Established.—(1) If a board of inquiry determines that an officer has established that the officer should be retained in an active status or if the Secretary determines that the case be closed, the officer's case is closed.
(2) An officer who is required to show cause for retention under section 14902(a) of this title and whose case is closed under paragraph (1) may not again be required to show cause for retention under such subsection during the one-year period beginning on the date of that determination.
(3)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), an officer who is required to show cause for retention under section 14902(b) of this title and whose case is closed under paragraph (1) may again be required to show cause for retention at any time.
(B) An officer who has been required to show cause for retention under section 14902(b) of this title and who is thereafter retained in an active status may not again be required to show cause for retention under such section solely because of conduct which was the subject of the previous proceeding, unless the recommendations of the board of inquiry that considered the officer's case are determined to have been obtained by fraud or collusion.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2958; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(b)(32), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 498.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–106 substituted "title" for "chapter".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective as if included in the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of Pub. L. 103–337, as enacted on Oct. 5, 1994, see section 1501(f)(3) of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14904. Rights and procedures
(a) Procedural Rights.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, an officer required under section 14902 of this title to show cause for retention in an active status—
(1) shall be notified in writing, at least 30 days before the hearing of the officer's case by a board of inquiry, of the reasons for which the officer is being required to show cause for retention in an active status;
(2) shall be allowed a reasonable time, as determined by the board of inquiry, to prepare for showing of cause for retention in an active status;
(3) shall be allowed to appear in person and to be represented by counsel at proceedings before the board of inquiry; and
(4) shall be allowed full access to, and shall be furnished copies of, records relevant to the case, except that the board of inquiry shall withhold any record that the Secretary concerned determines should be withheld in the interest of national security.
(b) Summary of Records Withheld.—When a record is withheld under subsection (a)(4), the officer whose case is under consideration shall, to the extent that the interest of national security permits, be furnished a summary of the record so withheld.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2959.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14905. Officer considered for removal: retirement or discharge
(a) Voluntary Retirement or Discharge.—At any time during proceedings under this chapter with respect to the removal of an officer from an active status, the Secretary of the military department concerned may grant a request by the officer—
(1) for voluntary retirement, if the officer is qualified for retirement;
(2) for transfer to the Retired Reserve if the officer has completed the years of service required for eligibility for retired pay under chapter 1223 of this title and is otherwise eligible for transfer to the Retired Reserve; or
(3) for discharge in accordance with subsection (b)(3).
(b) Required Retirement or Discharge.—An officer removed from an active status under section 14903 of this title shall—
(1) if eligible for voluntary retirement under any provision of law on the date of such removal, be retired in the grade and with the retired pay for which he would be eligible if retired under that provision;
(2) if eligible for transfer to the Retired Reserve and has completed the years of service required for retired pay under chapter 1223 of this title, be transferred to the Retired Reserve; and
(3) if ineligible for retirement or transfer to the Retired Reserve under paragraph (1) or (2) on the date of such removal—
(A) be honorably discharged in the grade then held, in the case of an officer whose case was brought under subsection (a) of section 14902 of this title; or
(B) be discharged in the grade then held, in the case of an officer whose case was brought under subsection (b) of section 14902 of this title.
(c) Separation Pay.—An officer who is discharged under subsection (b)(3) is entitled, if eligible therefor, to separation pay under section 1174(c) of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2959.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14906. Officers eligible to serve on boards
(a) Composition of Boards.—Each board convened under this chapter shall consist of officers appointed as follows:
(1) Each member of the board shall be an officer of the same armed force as the officer being required to show cause for retention in an active status.
(2) Each member of the board shall hold a grade above major or lieutenant commander, except that at least one member of the board shall hold a grade above lieutenant colonel or commander.
(3) Each member of the board shall be senior in grade to any officer to be considered by the board.
(b) Limitation.—A person may not be a member of more than one board convened under this chapter to consider the same officer.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2960; amended Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §504(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 591.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1999—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–65 amended heading and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
"(1) Each officer who serves on a board convened under this chapter shall be an officer of the same armed force as the officer being required to show cause for retention in an active status.
"(2) An officer may not serve on a board under this chapter unless the officer holds a grade above lieutenant colonel or commander and is senior in grade and rank to any officer considered by the board."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
§14907. Army National Guard of the United States and Air National Guard of the United States: discharge and withdrawal of Federal recognition of officers absent without leave
(a) Authority To Withdraw Federal Recognition.—If an officer of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States has been absent without leave for three months, the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force, as appropriate, may—
(1) terminate the reserve appointment of the officer; and
(2) withdraw the officer's Federal recognition as an officer of the National Guard.
(b) Discharge From Reserve Appointment.—An officer of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States whose Federal recognition as an officer of the National Guard is withdrawn under section 323(b) of title 32 shall be discharged from the officer's appointment as a reserve officer of the Army or the Air Force, as the case may be.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2960.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3820(a), (b) and 8820 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1629(a)(2), (c)(2).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
CHAPTER 1413—ALTERNATIVE PROMOTION AUTHORITY FOR OFFICERS IN DESIGNATED COMPETITIVE CATEGORIES
15101.
Officers in designated competitive categories.
15102.
Selection for promotion.
15103.
Eligibility for consideration for promotion.
15104.
Opportunities for consideration for promotion.
15106.
Failure of selection for promotion.
15107.
Retirement: retirement for years of service; selective early retirement.
15108.
Continuation on the Reserve Active-Status List.
15109.
Other administrative authorities.
§15101. Officers in designated competitive categories
(a) Authority to Designate Competitive Categories of Officers.—Each Secretary of a military department may designate one or more competitive categories for promotion of officers under section 14005 of this title that are under the jurisdiction of such Secretary as a competitive category of officers whose promotion, retirement, and continuation on the reserve active-status list shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Limitation on Exercise of Authority.—The Secretary of a military department may not designate a competitive category of officers for purposes of this chapter until 60 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the designation of the competitive category. The report on the designation of a competitive category shall set forth the following:
(1) A detailed description of officer requirements for officers within the competitive category.
(2) An explanation of the number of opportunities for consideration for promotion to each particular grade, and an estimate of promotion timing, within the competitive category.
(3) An estimate of the size of the promotion zone for each grade within the competitive category.
(4) A description of any other matters the Secretary considered in determining to designate the competitive category for purposes of this chapter.
(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §514(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 245.)
§15102. Selection for promotion
(a) In General.—Except as provided in this section, the selection for promotion of officers in any competitive category of officers designated for purposes of this chapter shall be governed by the provisions under chapter 1403 of this title.
(b) No Recommendation for Promotion of Officers Below Promotion Zone.—Section 14301(d) of this title shall not apply to the selection for promotion of officers described in subsection (a).
(c) Recommendation for Officers to Be Excluded From Future Consideration for Promotion.—In making recommendations pursuant to chapter 1403 of this title for purposes of the administration of this chapter, a selection board convened under section 14101(a) of this title may recommend that an officer considered by the board be excluded from future consideration for promotion under this chapter.
(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §514(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 246.)
§15103. Eligibility for consideration for promotion
(a) In General.—Except as provided by this section, eligibility for promotion of officers in any competitive category of officers designated for purposes of this chapter shall be governed by the provisions of sections 14301, 14303, and 14304 of this title.
(b) Inapplicability of Certain Time-in-grade Requirements.—Sections 14303 and 14304 of this title shall not apply to the promotion of officers described in subsection (a).
(c) Inapplicability to Officers Above and Below Promotion Zone.—The following provisions of this title shall not apply to the promotion of officers described in subsection (a):
(1) The reference in section 14301(b) to an officer above the promotion zone.
(2) Section 14301(d).
(d) Ineligibility of Certain Officers.—The following officers are not eligible for promotion under this chapter:
(1) An officer described in section 14301(c) of this title.
(2) An officer not included within the promotion zone.
(3) An officer who has failed of promotion to a higher grade the maximum number of times specified for opportunities for promotion for such grade within the competitive category concerned pursuant to section 15104 of this title.
(4) An officer recommended by a selection board to be removed from consideration for promotion in accordance with section 15102(c) of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §514(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 246.)
§15104. Opportunities for consideration for promotion
(a) Specification of Number of Opportunities for Consideration for Promotion.—In designating a competitive category of officers pursuant to section 15101 of this title, the Secretary of a military department shall specify the number of opportunities for consideration for promotion to be afforded officers of the armed force concerned within the category for promotion to each grade above the grade of first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade), as applicable.
(b) Limited Authority of Secretary of Military Department to Modify Number of Opportunities.—The Secretary of a military department may modify the number of opportunities for consideration for promotion to be afforded officers of an armed force within a competitive category for promotion to a particular grade, as previously specified by the Secretary pursuant subsection (a) of this subsection, not more frequently than once every five years.
(c) Discretionary Authority of Secretary of Defense to Modify Number of Opportunities.—The Secretary of Defense may modify the number of opportunities for consideration for promotion to be afforded officers of an armed force within a competitive category for promotion to a particular grade, as previously specified or modified pursuant to any provision of this section, at the discretion of the Secretary.
(d) Limitation on Number of Opportunities Specified.—The number of opportunities for consideration for promotion to be afforded officers of an armed force within a competitive category for promotion to a particular grade, as specified or modified pursuant to any provision of this section, may not exceed five opportunities.
(e) Effect of Certain Reduction in Number of Opportunities Specified.—If, by reason of a reduction in the number of opportunities for consideration for promotion under this section, an officer would no longer have one or more opportunities for consideration for promotion that were available to the officer before the reduction, the officer shall be afforded one additional opportunity for consideration for promotion after the reduction.
(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §514(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 246.)
§15105. Promotions
Sections 14307 through 14317 of this title shall apply in promotions of officers in competitive categories of officers designated for purposes of this chapter.
(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §514(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 247.)
§15106. Failure of selection for promotion
(a) In General.—Except as provided in this section, sections 14501 through 14513 of this title shall apply to promotions of officers in competitive categories of officers designated for purposes of this chapter.
(b) Inapplicability of Failure of Selection for Promotion to Officers Above Promotion Zone.—The reference in section 14501 of this title to an officer above the promotion zone shall not apply in the promotion of officers described in subsection (a).
(c) Special Selection Board Matters.—The reference in section 14502(a)(1) of this title to a person above the promotion zone shall not apply in the promotion of officers described in subsection (a).
(d) Effect of Failure of Selection.—In the administration of this chapter pursuant to subsection (a)—
(1) an officer described in subsection (a) shall not be deemed to have failed twice of selection for promotion for purposes of section 14502(b) 1 of this title until the officer has failed selection of promotion to the next higher grade the maximum number of times specified for opportunities for promotion to such grade within the competitive category concerned pursuant to section 15104 of this title; and
(2) any reference in sections 14504 through 14506 of this title to an officer who has failed of selection for promotion to the next higher grade for the second time shall be deemed to refer instead to an officer described in subsection (a) who has failed of selection for promotion to the next higher grade for the maximum number of times specified for opportunities for promotion to such grade within the competitive category concerned pursuant to such section 15104.
(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §514(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 247.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 14502(b) of this title, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), probably should be section 14501(b) of this title, which relates to officers twice failed of selection. Section 14502(b) of this title relates to officers considered but not selected due to material error.
§15107. Retirement: retirement for years of service; selective early retirement
(a) Retirement for Years of Service.—Sections 14507 through 14515 of this title shall apply to the retirement of officers in competitive categories of officers designated for purposes of this chapter.
(b) Selective Early Retirement.—Section 14101(b) of this title shall apply to the retirement of officers described in subsection (a).
(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §514(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 248.)
§15108. Continuation on the Reserve Active-Status List
Sections 14701 through 14703 of this title shall apply in continuation or retention on a reserve active-status list of officers designated for purposes of this chapter.
(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §514(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 248.)
§15109. Other administrative authorities
(a) 1 In General.—The following provisions of this title shall apply to officers in competitive categories of officers designated for purposes of this chapter:
(1) Section 14518, relating to continuation of officers to complete disciplinary action.
(2) Section 14519, relating to deferment of retirement or separation for medical reasons.
(3) Section 14704, relating to the selective early removal from the reserve active-status list.
(4) Section 14705, relating to the selective early retirement of reserve general and flag officers of the Navy and Marine Corps.
(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §514(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 248.)
§15110. Regulations
The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations regarding the administration of this chapter. The elements of such regulations shall include mechanisms to clarify the manner in which provisions of other chapters of this part of the title 1 shall be used in the administration of this chapter in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §514(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 248.)