§14304 Eligibility for Consideration for Promotion: Maximum Years of Service in Grade

Summary

Officers in certain reserve ranks must be put into the promotion zone and reviewed by a promotion board early enough so that, if recommended, they can be promoted on or before the maximum time they may serve in that rank. It applies to reserve active-status officers who hold permanent grades of first lieutenant, captain, or major, and to Navy reserve officers in the equivalent Navy grades (lieutenant junior grade, lieutenant, or lieutenant commander), who have not already been considered by a selection board. The maximum years in grade are 5 years for first lieutenant/lieutenant (junior grade), and 7 years for captain/lieutenant and major/lieutenant commander. If an officer is recommended for promotion the first time they are considered while in or above the promotion zone and put on an approved promotion list, they must be promoted on the day they reach the maximum years in grade, even if there is no opening, unless promoted earlier or removed from the list by the President or because they declined. These rules follow other promotion limits. The Secretary of the Navy may waive the time limits for Navy or Marine Corps reserve officers under a running-mate promotion system when needed.