§14304 Eligibility for consideration for promotion: maximum years of service in grade

Summary

Put eligible reserve officers into the promotion zone and have a promotion board consider them early enough so that, if they are recommended, they can be promoted on or before they hit a time limit in their current rank. The time limits are: First lieutenant or Navy lieutenant (junior grade) — 5 years; Captain or Navy lieutenant — 7 years; Major or Navy lieutenant commander — 7 years. This rule applies to reserve officers on the active‑status list who hold those permanent ranks and who have not yet been considered by a selection board for the next grade. It follows other rules in section 14301 and is not limited by whether a vacancy exists. If an officer is recommended the first time they are considered while in or above the promotion zone and placed on an approved promotion list, they must be promoted on the date they reach the maximum years in grade unless promoted earlier or removed from the list by the President or by declining. The Secretary of the Navy may waive these timing rules when using a running mate system under section 14306 if needed because of delays; the rule is also subject to limits in section 12011.