PRIA Logo™
Title 14 — Coast GuardRelease 119-73not60

§3741 Selection Boards; Appointment

Title 14 › Subtitle SUBTITLE III— COAST GUARD RESERVE AND AUXILIARY › Chapter 37— COAST GUARD RESERVE › Subchapter II— PERSONNEL › § 3741

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must appoint and call selection boards. Boards must be at least 50% Reserve officers; flag officer boards should try to meet that. Members must be higher in rank than the officers they review. Each board needs at least five members. Terms are set by the Secretary but cannot be longer than one year. An officer may not serve on two back-to-back boards for the same grade if the second will consider someone the first did not recommend. Board members must swear to be fair and to consider an officer’s fitness and the Coast Guard’s efficiency. At least a majority must agree on every recommendation. An officer up for promotion may send a written, non‑attacking statement through official channels for the board’s attention, as long as it arrives before the board meets.

Full Legal Text

Title 14, §3741

Coast Guard — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)A selection board shall (1) be appointed and convened by the Secretary; (2) consist of at least 50 per centum Reserve officer membership, except in the case of a flag officer selection board where, to the extent practicable, it shall consist of at least 50 per centum Reserve officer membership; (3) consist only of members, Reserve or Regular, senior in grade to any officer being considered by that board; and (4) be composed of not less than five members, which number constitutes a quorum.
(b)A selection board serves for the length of time prescribed by the Secretary, but no board may serve longer than one year. No officer may serve on two consecutive selection boards for the same grade when the second of those boards considers an officer who was considered, but not recommended for promotion, by the first selection board.
(c)Each member of a selection board shall swear that he will, without prejudice or partiality, and having in view both the special fitness required of officers and the efficiency of the Coast Guard, perform the duties imposed upon him. Not less than a majority of the total membership of a selection board shall concur in each recommendation made by the board.
(d)An officer eligible for consideration for promotion by a selection board may forward, through official channels, a written communication inviting the attention of the board to any matter in the officer’s record in the armed forces that, in the opinion of the officer concerned, is important to the board’s consideration. A communication forwarded under this subsection shall arrive in time to allow delivery to the board prior to its convening, and may not criticize or reflect upon the character, conduct, or motive of any officer.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 775 of this title prior to the complete revision of former chapter 21 of this chapter by Pub. L. 96–322.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 730 of this title as this section.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

14 U.S.C. § 3741

Title 14 — Coast Guard

Last Updated

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60