Title 10, Armed ForcesRelease 119-110

§20238 Establishment of Promotion Zones

Title 10 › Subtitle F — Alternative Military Personnel Systems › PART I — SPACE FORCE › CHAPTER 2005 — OFFICERS › SUBCHAPTER III — PROMOTIONS › § 20238

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Before a promotion board (under section 20211) meets to consider officers for ranks above first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade), the Secretary of the Air Force must set up a promotion zone for officers in each grade and competitive category to be reviewed. To pick how many officers go into each promotion zone, the Secretary must choose from eligible officers and base the number on estimates for each of the next five years: how many officers will be needed in the next higher grade; how many will be serving in that higher grade; if section 523 applies, how many are authorized for that grade to be on sustained duty on the last day of each of the next five fiscal years; and how many should be placed in the zone each year so officers have similar promotion opportunities.

Full Legal Text

Title 10, §20238

Armed Forces, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In General.—

Before convening a selection board under section 20211 of this title to consider officers for promotion to any grade above first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade), the Secretary of the Air Force shall establish a promotion zone for officers serving in each grade and competitive category to be considered by the board.

(b)Determination of Number.—

The Secretary of the Air Force shall determine the number of officers in the promotion zone for officers serving in any grade and competitive category from among officers who are eligible for promotion in that grade and competitive category. Such determination shall be made on the basis of an estimate of— (1)

(2)the number of officers to be serving in that competitive category in the next higher grade in each of the next five years;

(3)in the case of a promotion zone for officers to be promoted to a grade to which section 523 of this title is applicable, the number of officers authorized for such grade under such section to be on sustained duty on the last day of each of the next five fiscal years; and

(4)the number of officers that should be placed in that promotion zone in each of the next five years to provide to officers in those years relatively similar opportunity for promotion.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

10 U.S.C. § 20238

Title 10, Armed Forces

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110