Title 10, Armed ForcesRelease 119-110

§15104 Opportunities for Consideration for Promotion

Title 10 › Subtitle E — Reserve Components › PART III — PROMOTION AND RETENTION OF OFFICERS ON THE RESERVE ACTIVE-STATUS LIST › CHAPTER 1413 — ALTERNATIVE PROMOTION AUTHORITY FOR OFFICERS IN DESIGNATED COMPETITIVE CATEGORIES › § 15104

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

When a military department sets a competitive promotion group, the Secretary must say how many times officers in that group can be considered for promotion to each rank above first lieutenant (or lieutenant junior grade). The department Secretary can change those numbers, but no more than once every five years. The Secretary of Defense can change them at any time. No officer can be given more than five chances to be considered for the same rank. If a cut in the number of chances would take away chances an officer already had, the officer gets one extra chance after the cut.

Full Legal Text

Title 10, §15104

Armed Forces, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(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.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

10 U.S.C. § 15104

Title 10, Armed Forces

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110