---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 14301"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "14301"
heading: "Eligibility for consideration for promotion: general rules"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/14301"
units:
  - "Subtitle E — Reserve Components"
  - "Part III — Promotion and Retention of Officers on the Reserve Active-Status List"
  - "Chapter 1405 — Promotions"
---

# §14301. Eligibility for consideration for promotion: general rules

- (a) **One-Year Rule.—** An [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) is eligible under this chapter for consideration for promotion by a promotion board convened under [section 14101(a) of this title](/usc/10/14101.md?p=a) only if—
  - (1) the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) is on the [reserve active-status list](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-7) of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps; and
  - (2) during the one-year period ending on the date of the convening of the promotion board the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) has continuously performed service on either the [reserve active-status list](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-7) or the [active-duty list](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-13) (or on a combination of both lists).
- (b) **Requirement for Consideration of All Officers In and Above the Zone.—** Whenever a promotion board (other than a vacancy promotion board) is convened under [section 14101(a) of this title](/usc/10/14101.md?p=a) for consideration of [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) in a competitive category who are eligible under this chapter for consideration for promotion to the next higher [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7), each [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) in the promotion zone, and each [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) above the promotion zone, for that [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) and competitive category shall be considered for promotion.
- (c) **Certain Officers Not To Be Considered.—** A promotion board convened under [section 14101(a) of this title](/usc/10/14101.md?p=a) may not consider for promotion to the next higher [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) any of the following [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1):
  - (1) An [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) whose name is on a promotion list for that [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) as a result of recommendation for promotion to that [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) by an earlier selection board convened under that section or [section 14502 of this title](/usc/10/14502.md) or under [chapter 36](/usc/10/chstA/ptII/ch36.md) of this title.
  - (2) An [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) who is recommended for promotion to that [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) in the report of an earlier selection board convened under a provision referred to in [paragraph (1)](#c-1), in the case of such a report that has not yet been approved by the President.
  - (3) An [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) who has been approved for Federal recognition by a board convened under [section 307 of title 32](/usc/32/307.md) and nominated by the President for promotion to that [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) as a [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) of the Army or of the Air Force as the case may be, if that nomination is pending before the Senate.
  - (4) An [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) who has been nominated by the President for promotion to that [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) under any other provision of law, if that nomination is pending before the Senate.
  - (5) An [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) in the [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) of first lieutenant or, in the case of the Navy, lieutenant (junior [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7)) who is on an approved all-fully-qualified-[officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) list under [section 14308(b)(4) of this title](/usc/10/14308.md?p=b-4).
  - (6) An [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) excluded under [subsection (j)](#j).
- (d) **Officers Below the Zone.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4) of the military [department](/usc/10/12521.md?p=5) concerned may, by regulation, prescribe procedures to limit the [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) to be considered by a selection board from below the promotion zone to those [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) who are determined to be exceptionally well qualified for promotion. The regulations shall include criteria for determining which [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) below the promotion zone are exceptionally well qualified for promotion.
- (e) **Certain Reserve Officers of the Air Force.—** A [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) of the Air Force who (1) is in the [Air National Guard of the United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-5) and holds the [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) of lieutenant colonel, colonel, or brigadier general, or (2) is in the Air Force [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) and holds the [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) of colonel or brigadier general, is not eligible for consideration for promotion by a mandatory promotion board convened under [section 14101(a) of this title](/usc/10/14101.md?p=a).
- (f) **Nonconsideration of Officers Scheduled for Removal From Reserve Active-status List.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4) of the military [department](/usc/10/12521.md?p=5) concerned may, by regulation, preclude from consideration by a selection board by which an [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) would otherwise be eligible to be considered, an [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) who has an established separation date that is within 90 days after the date the board is convened or an approved retirement date.
- (g) **Brigadier Generals.—**
  - (1) An [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) who is a [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) component brigadier general of the Army or the Air Force who is not eligible for consideration for promotion under [subsection (a)](#a) because the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) is not on the [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) [active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-4) list (as required by [paragraph (1)](#g-1) of that subsection for such eligibility) is nevertheless eligible for consideration for promotion to the [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) of major general by a promotion board convened under [section 14101(a) of this title](/usc/10/14101.md?p=a) if—
    - (A) as of the date of the convening of the promotion board, the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) has been in an inactive status for less than one year; and
    - (B) immediately before the date of the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1)’s most recent transfer to an inactive status, the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) had continuously served on the [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) [active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-4) list or the [active-duty list](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-13) (or a combination of the [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) [active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-4) list and the [active-duty list](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-13)) for at least one year.
  - (2) An [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) who is a [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) component brigadier general of the Army or the Air Force who is on the [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) [active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-4) list but who is not eligible for consideration for promotion under [subsection (a)](#a) because the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1)’s service does not meet the one-year-of-continuous-service requirement under [paragraph (2)](#g-2) of that subsection is nevertheless eligible for consideration for promotion to the [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) of major general by a promotion board convened under [section 14101(a) of this title](/usc/10/14101.md?p=a) if—
    - (A) the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) was transferred from an inactive status to the [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) [active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-4) list during the one-year period preceding the date of the convening of the promotion board;
    - (B) immediately before the date of the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1)’s most recent transfer to an [active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-4), the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) had been in an inactive status for less than one year; and
    - (C) immediately before the date of the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1)’s most recent transfer to an inactive status, the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) had continuously served for at least one year on the [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) [active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-4) list or the [active-duty list](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-13) (or a combination of the [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) [active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-4) list and the [active-duty list](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-13)).
- (h) **Officers on Educational Delay.—** An [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) on the [reserve active-status list](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-7) is ineligible for consideration for promotion, but shall remain on the [reserve active-status list](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-7), while the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1)—
  - (1) is pursuing a program of graduate level education in an educational delay status approved by the [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-9); and
  - (2) is receiving from the [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4) financial assistance in connection with the pursuit of that program of education while in that status.
- (i) **Reserve Officers Employed as Military Technician (dual Status).—** A [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) of the Army or Air Force employed as a military technician (dual status) under [section 10216 of this title](/usc/10/10216.md) who has been retained beyond the mandatory removal date for years of service pursuant to [subsection (f)](/usc/10/10216.md?p=f) of such section or [section 14702(a)(2) of this title](/usc/10/14702.md?p=a-2) is not eligible for consideration for promotion by a mandatory promotion board convened under [section 14101(a) of this title](/usc/10/14101.md?p=a).
- (j) **Authority To Allow Officers To Opt Out of Selection Board Consideration.—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4) of a military [department](/usc/10/12521.md?p=5) may provide that an [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) under the jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4) may, upon the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1)’s request and with the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4), be excluded from consideration by a selection board convened under [section 14101(a) of this title](/usc/10/14101.md?p=a) to consider [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) for promotion to the next higher [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7).
  - (2) The [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-9) may only approve a request under [paragraph (1)](#j-1) if—
    - (A) the basis for the request is to allow an [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) to complete a broadening assignment, advanced education, another assignment of significant value to the [Department](/usc/10/12521.md?p=5), training, or a career progression requirement delayed by the assignment, education, or training;
    - (B) the [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4) determines the exclusion from consideration is in the best interest of the military [department](/usc/10/12521.md?p=5) concerned; and
    - (C) the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) has not previously failed of selection for promotion to the [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) for which the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) requests the exclusion from consideration.
- (k) **Certain Officers Not to Be Considered for Selection for Promotion.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4) of the military [department](/usc/10/12521.md?p=5) concerned may provide that an [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) who is in an [active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-4), but is in a duty status in which the only points the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) accrues under [section 12732(a)(2) of this title](/usc/10/12732.md?p=a-2) are pursuant to [subparagraph (C)(i)](/usc/10/12732.md?p=a-2-C-i) of that section (relating to membership in a [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) component), shall not be considered for selection for promotion until completion of two years of service in such duty status. Any such [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) may remain on the [reserve active-status list](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-7).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1611, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2931; amended Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title V, §§ 503(b), (c), 514(b), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1724, 1725, 1732; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title V, § 514, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2008; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, § 513(a), title X, § 1066(a)(32), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 593, 772; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, § 505(c)(1)(B), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1087; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title V, § 521, Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2540; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, § 517, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1397; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §§ 505(b), 513, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1743, 1752; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title V, §§ 503(c), 505(a)(2), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1868, 1869.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2024—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 118–159, § 503(c), amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary of the military department concerned may, by regulation, provide for the exclusion from consideration for promotion by a promotion board of any officer otherwise eligible to be considered by the board who has an established date for removal from the reserve active-status list that is not more than 90 days after the date on which the selection board for which the officer would otherwise be eligible is to be convened.”

Subsec. (j)(2)(A). Pub. L. 118–159, § 505(a)(2), inserted “training,” after “Department,” and substituted “assignment, education, or training” for “assignment or education”.

2018—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–232, § 505(b)(1)(A), substituted “Certain Officers Not” for “Previously Selected Officers Not Eligible” in heading.

Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 115–232, § 505(b)(1)(B), added par. (6).

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 115–232, § 505(b)(2), added subsec. (j).

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 115–232, § 513, added subsec. (k).

2011—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 112–81 added subsec. (i).

2002—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 107–314 amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “A reserve component brigadier general of the Army or the Air Force who is in an inactive status is eligible (notwithstanding subsection (a)) for consideration for promotion to major general by a promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this title if the officer—

“(1) has been in an inactive status for less than one year as of the date of the convening of the promotion board; and

“(2) had continuously served for at least one year on the reserve active status list or the active duty list (or a combination of both) immediately before the officer’s most recent transfer to an inactive status.”

2001—Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 107–107 added par. (5).

1999—Subsec. (g)(1), (2). Pub. L. 106–65, § 1066(a)(32), substituted “one year” for “1 year”.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 106–65, § 513(a), added subsec. (h).

1998—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–261 added subsec. (g).

1997—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–85, § 503(b)(1), substituted “grade any of the following officers:” for “grade—” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 105–85, § 503(b)(2), (3), substituted “An officer” for “an officer” and “title.” for “title;”.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 105–85, § 503(b)(6), added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Pub. L. 105–85, § 503(b)(2), (4), substituted “An officer” for “an officer” and “be.” for “be; or”.

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 105–85, § 503(c), inserted “, if that nomination is pending before the Senate” before period at end.

Pub. L. 105–85, § 503(b)(5), redesignated par. (2) as (3) and substituted “that grade” for “the next higher grade”. Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Pub. L. 105–85, § 503(b)(2), substituted “An officer” for “an officer”.

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 105–85, § 503(c), inserted “, if that nomination is pending before the Senate” before period at end.

Pub. L. 105–85, § 503(b)(5), redesignated par. (3) as (4) and substituted “that grade” for “the next higher grade”.

Subsecs. (e) to (g). Pub. L. 105–85, § 514(b), redesignated subsecs. (f) and (g) as (e) and (f), respectively, and struck out former subsec. (e) which read as follows:

“(e) Reserve Officers of the Army; Consideration for Brigadier General and Major General.—In the case of officers of the Army, if the Secretary of the Army determines that vacancies are authorized or anticipated in the reserve grades of major general or brigadier general for officers who are on the reserve active-status list and who are not assigned to units organized to serve as a unit and the Secretary convenes a mandatory promotion board under section 14101(a) of this title to consider officers for promotion to fill such vacancies, the Secretary may limit the officers to be considered by that board to those determined to be exceptionally well qualified for promotion under such criteria and procedures as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe.”

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, § 513(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 593, provided that: Subsection (h) of section 14301 of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), shall apply with respect to boards convened under section 14101(a) of such title before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 1999]. The Secretary of the military department concerned, upon receipt of request submitted in a form and manner prescribed by the Secretary, shall expunge from the military records of an officer any indication of a failure of selection of the officer for promotion by a board referred to in paragraph (1) while the officer was ineligible for consideration by that board by reason of section 14301(h) of title 10, United States Code.”

### Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by section 503(b), (c) of Pub. L. 105–85 effective Nov. 18, 1997, and applicable with respect to selection boards that are convened under section 611(a), 14101(a), or 14502 of this title on or after Nov. 18, 1997, see section 503(d) of Pub. L. 105–85, set out as a note under section 619 of this title.

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.