---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 12003"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "12003"
heading: "Authorized strengths: commissioned officers in an active status"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/12003"
units:
  - "Subtitle E — Reserve Components"
  - "Part II — Personnel Generally"
  - "Chapter 1201 — Authorized Strengths and Distribution in Grade"
---

# §12003. Authorized strengths: commissioned officers in an active status

- (a) The [authorized strengths](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-11) of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps in [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) [commissioned officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-2), other than commissioned [warrant officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-3) and [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) on an [active-duty list](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-13), in an [active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-4) are as follows:

  |  |  |
  | --- | --- |
  | Army | 275,000 |
  | Air Force | 200,000 |
  | Navy | 150,000 |
  | Marine Corps | 24,500. |

- (b) The [authorized strengths](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-11) prescribed by [subsection (a)](#a) may not be exceeded unless—
  - (1) the [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-9) determines that a greater number is necessary for planned mobilization requirements; or
  - (2) the excess results directly from the operation of a nondiscretionary provision of law.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1662(a)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2984.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3217, 5414, and 8217 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, § 1662(a)(3).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Dec. 1, 1994, except as otherwise provided, see section 1691 of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.