Title 10 — Armed ForcesRelease 119-73
§624 Promotions: how made
Title 10 › Subtitle Subtitle A— - General Military Law › Part PART II— - PERSONNEL › Chapter CHAPTER 36— - PROMOTION, SEPARATION, AND INVOLUNTARY RETIREMENT OF OFFICERS ON THE ACTIVE-DUTY LIST › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - PROMOTIONS › § 624
Summary
When the President approves a selection board’s report, the military department secretary must put all officers who were approved for promotion in the same competitive category onto one promotion list. That list is ordered by seniority or by merit, as the board decided, and it is treated as established on the day the President approves the board’s report. Officers on that list are promoted to the next higher grade when more people are needed in that grade and category. Promotions follow the order on the list and happen after earlier promotions are finished. Promotions to first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade) follow rules set by the Secretary. For some lower grades, the Secretary can send an “all‑fully‑qualified” list to the President when every officer in the grade is needed in the next grade. If the President approves it, that list works like a promotion list. The Secretary can add a supplemental list if someone was left off by mistake. A promoted regular officer gets a regular appointment and a promoted reserve officer gets a reserve appointment. The date of rank is set under section 741(d). Appointments require the President and Senate, except promotions to first lieutenant or captain (Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force) or lieutenant (junior grade) or lieutenant (Navy), which the President can make alone. The Secretary of Defense may delay an appointment for reasons such as pending charges or investigations, a chapter 60 review board, a criminal court case, review of adverse information, or credible adverse facts that could trigger a special review under section 628a. Appointments can also be delayed if there are doubts about exemplary conduct (see sections 7233, 8167, 9233) or fitness. Officers must be told the reasons and may submit a written response. If a civilian official at the level of a military department Secretary later finds the officer qualified, the officer is kept on the list and generally gets the same rank date, pay date, and place on the active list unless the Secretary rules otherwise. Delays normally cannot exceed 6 months unless extended, cannot go beyond 90 days after final action in a criminal or court‑martial case, and cannot exceed 18 months after the original appointment date, whichever is later. Before transfer to a reserve active‑status list, the Secretary may place an approved officer on a matching promotion or all‑fully‑qualified list for that reserve list, with promotions handled under section 14308.
Full Legal Text
Title 10, §624
Armed Forces — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)(1)When the report of a selection board convened under section 611(a) of this title is approved by the President, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall place the names of all officers approved 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 the seniority of such officers on the active-duty 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.
(2)Except as provided in subsection (d), officers on a promotion list for a competitive category shall be promoted to the next higher grade when additional officers in that grade and competitive category are needed. 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. 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 concerned.
(3)(A)Except as provided in subsection (d), officers on the active-duty list in the 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.
(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.
(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 active-duty 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 611(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.
(b)(1)A regular officer who is promoted under this section is appointed in the regular grade to which promoted and a reserve officer who is promoted under this section is appointed in the reserve grade to which promoted.
(2)The date of rank of an officer appointed to a higher grade under this section is determined under section 741(d) of this title.
(c)Appointments under this section shall be made by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, except that appointments under this section in the grade of first lieutenant or captain, in the case of officers of the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force, or lieutenant (junior grade) or lieutenant, in the case of officers of the Navy, shall be made by the President alone.
(d)(1)Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the appointment of an officer under this section may be delayed if—
(A)sworn charges against the officer have been received by an officer exercising general court-martial jurisdiction over the officer and such 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 chapter 60 of this title to review the record of the officer;
(D)a criminal proceeding in a Federal or State court 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; or
(F)the Secretary of the military department concerned determines that credible information of an adverse nature, including a substantiated adverse finding or conclusion described in section 615(a)(3)(A) of this title, with respect to the officer will result in the convening of a special selection review board under section 628a of this title to review the officer and recommend whether the recommendation for promotion of the officer should be sustained.
(2)Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the appointment of an officer under this section may also be delayed in any case in which 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 for which he was selected for promotion. 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 such 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 such grade, the officer shall be retained on the promotion list (including an approved all-fully-qualified-officers list, if applicable) and shall, upon such promotion, have the same date of rank, the same effective date for pay and allowances in the higher grade to which appointed, and the same position on the active-duty list as he 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 active-duty 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 628a(f) of this title.
(4)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the appointment of an officer may not be delayed under this subsection unless the officer has been given written notice of the grounds for the delay, unless it is impracticable to give such written notice before the effective date of the appointment, in which case such written notice shall be given as soon as practicable. An officer whose promotion has been delayed under this subsection shall be afforded an opportunity to make a written statement to the Secretary concerned in response to the action taken. Any such statement shall be given careful consideration by the Secretary.
(B)In the case of an officer whose promotion is delayed pursuant to paragraph (1)(F), requirements applicable to notice and opportunity for response to such delay are specified in section 628a(c)(3) of this title.
(5)An appointment of an officer may not be delayed under this subsection for more than six months after the date on which the officer would otherwise have been appointed 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 such officer in a Federal or State court, more than 90 days after final action has been taken in any court-martial case against such officer, or more than 18 months after the date on which such officer would otherwise have been appointed, whichever is later.
(e)Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), in the case of an officer who is selected for promotion by a selection board convened under this chapter, and prior to the placement of the officer’s name on the applicable promotion list as approved for transfer to the reserve active-status list of the same or a different armed force, the Secretary concerned may place the officer’s name on a corresponding promotion list on the reserve active-status list without regard to the officer’s competitive category. An officer’s promotion under this subsection shall be made pursuant to section 14308 of this title.
(f)Notwithstanding subsection (a)(3), in the case of an officer who is placed on an all-fully-qualified-officers list, and is subsequently approved for transfer to the reserve active-status list, the Secretary concerned may place the officer’s name on an appropriate all-fully-qualified-officers list on the reserve active-status list. An officer’s promotion under this subsection shall be made pursuant to section 14308 of this title.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2024—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 118–159 substituted “as approved” for “is approved”. 2023—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 118–31 added subsecs. (e) and (f). 2021—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 116–283, § 924(b)(3)(G), substituted “Marine Corps, or Space Force” for “or Marine Corps”. Subsec. (d)(1)(F). Pub. L. 116–283, § 505(a)(3)(A), added subpar. (F). Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, § 505(a)(3)(C), added par. (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4). Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 116–283, § 505(a)(3)(B), (D), redesignated par. (3) as (4), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), substituted “Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the appointment” for “The appointment”, and added subpar. (B). Former par. (4) redesignated (5). Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 116–283, § 505(a)(3)(B), redesignated par. (4) as (5). 2018—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–232, § 504(c), inserted “or based on particular merit, as determined by the promotion board” after “active-duty list”. Subsec. (d)(1), (2). Pub. L. 115–232, § 809(a), substituted “section 7233, 8167, or 9233” for “section 3583, 5947, or 8583” in concluding provisions of par. (1) and in two places in par. (2). 2015—Subsec. (a)(3)(E). Pub. L. 114–92 added subpar. (E). 2008—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 110–181 amended directory language of Pub. L. 109–364, § 511(a)(2)(D)(i). See 2006 Amendment note below. 2006—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–364, § 511(d)(1), 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.” Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 109–364, § 511(a)(2)(D)(ii), 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 “brought against him,” in concluding provisions. Pub. L. 109–364, § 511(a)(2)(D)(i), as amended by Pub. L. 110–181, struck out “or” after “chapter 60 of this title,”. Pub. L. 109–364, § 511(a)(1), substituted “prescribed by the Secretary of Defense” for “prescribed by the Secretary concerned” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (d)(1)(E). Pub. L. 109–364, § 511(a)(2)(A)–(C), added subpar. (E). Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 109–364, § 511(a)(3), in first sentence 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 in second sentence 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 such 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 such grade” for “If the Secretary concerned later determines that the officer is qualified for promotion to such grade”. Pub. L. 109–364, § 511(a)(1), substituted “prescribed by the Secretary of Defense” for “prescribed by the Secretary concerned”. 2002—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 107–314 substituted “paragraph (2)” for “subsection (d)(2)” in concluding provisions. 2001—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 107–107, § 505(a)(1), added par. (3). Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–107, § 505(d)(1), inserted “, in the case of officers of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps,” after “captain” and “, in the case of officers of the Navy,” after “(junior grade) or lieutenant”. Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 107–107, § 505(c)(2)(A)(i), inserted “(including an approved all-fully-qualified-officers list, if applicable)” after “retained on the promotion list” in concluding provisions. Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 107–107, § 505(c)(2)(A)(ii), inserted “shall be retained on the promotion list (including an approved all-fully-qualified-officers list, if applicable) and” after “to such grade, the officer” in second sentence. 1984—Subsec. (d)(1), (2). Pub. L. 98–525 inserted provision for a determination by the Secretary concerned that the officer was unqualified for promotion for any part of the delay in the officer’s promotion, with the inserted provision that if the Secretary made such a determination, the Secretary could adjust such date of rank,
Effective Date
of pay and allowances, and position on the active-duty list as the Secretary considered appropriate under the circumstances. 1982—Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 97–295 substituted “this subsection” for “the subsection”. 1981—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 97–22, § 4(d)(1)(A), struck out “or in the case of officers selected for promotion to the grade of first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade), when a list of officers selected for promotion is approved by the President,” after “by the President,”. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 97–22, § 4(d)(1)(B), inserted provision that officers to be promoted to grade of first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade) shall be promoted in accordance with
Regulations
prescribed by the Secretary concerned. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–22, § 4(d)(2), substituted “under this section in the grade of first lieutenant or captain or lieutenant (junior grade) or lieutenant” for “in the grade of first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade) under this section”. Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 97–22, § 4(d)(3)(A), (B), substituted “Under
Regulations
prescribed by the Secretary concerned, the appointment of an officer under this section may be delayed” for “The Secretary concerned may delay the appointment of an officer under this section” in provisions preceding subpar. (A) and, in provisions following subpar. (D), inserted “then unless action to delay an appointment has also been taken under subsection (d)(2)” after “as the case may be,”. Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 97–22, § 4(d)(3)(C), substituted “Under
Regulations
prescribed by the Secretary concerned, the appointment of an officer under this section may also be delayed in any case in which” for “The Secretary concerned may also delay the appointment of an officer to the next higher grade under this section in any case in which the Secretary finds that”. Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 97–22, § 4(d)(3)(D), (E), inserted “, unless it is impracticable to give such written notice before the
Effective Date
of the appointment, in which case such written notice shall be given as soon as practicable” after “grounds for the delay” and struck out “by the Secretary” after “the action taken”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2018 AmendmentAmendment by section 809(a) of 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 2008 Amendment Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title X, § 1063(c), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 322, provided that the amendment made by section 1063(c) is effective Oct. 17, 2006, and as if included in the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, Pub. L. 109–364, as enacted.
Effective Date
of 2006 Amendment Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, § 511(e), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2184, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section and section 14308 and 14311 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 17, 2006] and shall apply with respect to officers on promotion lists established on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
Effective Date
Section effective Sept. 15, 1981, but the authority to prescribe
Regulations
under this section effective on Dec. 12, 1980, see section 701 of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as an
Effective Date
of 1980 Amendment note under section 101 of this title. Deadline for Uniform
Regulations
on Delay of Promotions Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, § 511(c), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2183, provided that: “(1) Deadline.—The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe the
Regulations
required by section 624(d) of title 10, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)(1) of this section), and the
Regulations
required by section 14311 of such title (as amended by subsection (b)(1) of this section) not later than March 1, 2008. “(2) Savings clause for existing
Regulations
.—Until the Secretary of Defense prescribes
Regulations
pursuant to paragraph (1),
Regulations
prescribed by the Secretaries of the military departments under the sections referred to in paragraph (1) shall remain in effect.”
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions Functions of President under subsec. (c) to appoint officers in grades of first lieutenant and captain in Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps or in grades of lieutenant (junior grade) and lieutenant in Navy delegated to Secretary of Defense to perform, without approval, ratification, or other action by President, and with authority for Secretary to redelegate, see Ex. Ord. No. 12396, §§ 1(c), 3, Dec. 9, 1982, 47 F.R. 55897, 55898, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
10 U.S.C. § 624
Title 10 — Armed Forces
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73