Title 14, Coast GuardRelease 119-110

§3753 Maximum Ages for Retention in an Active Status

Title 14 › SUBTITLE III — COAST GUARD RESERVE AND AUXILIARY › CHAPTER 37 — COAST GUARD RESERVE › SUBCHAPTER II — PERSONNEL › § 3753

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Reserve officers must be moved to the Retired Reserve or be discharged when they reach set ages. A Reserve officer not on active duty who is eligible for retirement must be placed in the Retired Reserve on the day they turn 60. If they are not eligible for retirement, they must be discharged that day. A Reserve officer who is on active duty must be retired on the day they turn 62 if eligible, or discharged that day if not eligible. The Secretary may let a Reserve rear admiral or a rear admiral (lower half) stay on active status until the day they turn 64. The Secretary may also let a Reserve health professions officer stay on active status until the first day of the month after the month they turn 68. A health professions officer includes medical and dental staff, nurses, therapists, lab and pharmacy workers, and any health categories the Secretary names. This does not change rules about mandatory separations or disciplinary action. For this rule, “active duty” does not mean active duty for training, duty on a board, or limited or temporary duty assigned from inactive status.

Full Legal Text

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)Retention of Health Professions Officers.—
(1)In general.—
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)Rule of construction.—
Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit or modify the application of any provision relating to mandatory separation or disciplinary action.
(3)Health professions officer defined.—
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.

Legislative History

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”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

14 U.S.C. § 3753

Title 14, Coast Guard

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110