§3753 — Title 14 Coast Guard | U.S. Code

Summary

Reserve officers must leave active reserve status at set ages. If a Reserve officer is not on active duty, they must go to the Retired Reserve on their 60th birthday if they qualify for retirement; if they do not qualify, they must be discharged that day. If a Reserve officer is on active duty, they must be retired if qualified on their 62nd birthday or discharged if not qualified. The Secretary can let a Reserve rear admiral (both ranks) stay on active status until they turn 64. The Secretary can also let a Reserve health professions officer stay on active status until the first day of the month after they turn 68. Allowing extra time does not stop mandatory separations or disciplinary actions. A “health professions officer” covers medical and health staff (for example, doctors, nurses, physician assistants, therapists, lab and clinic staff, mental health and pharmacy staff), dental staff, and any other health categories the Secretary names. For these rules, “active duty” does not include active-duty for training, board duty, or short or temporary active duty assigned from inactive status.

Title 14, §3753

Coast Guard — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)A Reserve officer, if qualified, shall be transferred to the Retired Reserve on the day the officer becomes 60 years of age unless on active duty. If not qualified for retirement, a Reserve officer shall be discharged effective upon the day the officer becomes 60 years of age unless on active duty.

(b)A Reserve officer on active duty shall, if qualified, be retired effective upon the day the officer become 62 years of age. If not qualified for retirement, a Reserve officer on active duty shall be discharged effective upon the day the officer becomes 62 years of age.

(c)Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the Secretary may authorize the retention of a Reserve rear admiral or rear admiral (lower half) in an active status not longer than the day on which the officer concerned becomes 64 years of age.

(d)(1)Notwithstanding subsections (a), (b), and (c), the Secretary may authorize the retention of a Reserve health professions officer in an active status not beyond the first day of the month following the month in which the health professions officer concerned becomes 68 years of age.

(2)Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit or modify the application of any provision relating to mandatory separation or disciplinary action.

(3)In this subsection, the term “health professions officer” means an officer or enlisted member of the Coast Guard in good standing who is—

(A)a physician, surgeon, medical specialist, nurse or nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, health service technician, therapist, fully licensed clinical psychotherapist, counselor, social worker, medical assistant, radiology assistant, pharmacist, pharmacy assistant, nutritionist, dietitian, any administrative personnel associated with a Coast Guard medical program (including a clinic), personnel who works in a medical laboratory, physical therapist, physical therapist aide, occupational therapist, or occupational therapist aide;

(B)a dentist, dental assistant, oral surgeon, or any other dental-related personnel; or

(C)a member of a category designated by the Secretary under section 2154(c)(3).

(e)For purposes of this section, “active duty” does not include active duty for training, duty on a board, or duty of a limited or temporary nature if assigned to active duty from an inactive duty status.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2025—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 119–60 added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e). 2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 742 of this title as this section. 2016—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–120 substituted “subsections” for “subsection”. 2004—Pub. L. 108–293 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “(a) A Reserve officer, if qualified, shall be transferred to the Retired Reserve on the day the officer becomes sixty-two years of age. “(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may authorize the retention of a Reserve rear admiral or rear admiral (lower half) in an active status not longer than the day on which the officer concerned becomes sixty-four years of age. “(c) Except as provided for in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, a Reserve officer shall be discharged effective upon the day the officer becomes sixty-two years of age.” 1985—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–145 substituted “rear admiral (lower half)” for “commodore”. 1983—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–417 inserted “or commodore” after “rear admiral”.

§3753 Maximum ages for retention in an active status

Summary

Title 14, §3753

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata