---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 20211"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "20211"
heading: "Convening of selection boards"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/20211"
units:
  - "Subtitle F — Alternative Military Personnel Systems"
  - "Part I — Space Force"
  - "Chapter 2005 — Officers"
  - "Subchapter II — Selection Boards"
---

# §20211. Convening of selection boards

- (a) **In General.—** Whenever the needs of the service require, the Secretary of the Air Force shall convene selection boards to recommend for promotion to the next higher permanent [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) of the Space Force in each permanent [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) from first lieutenant through brigadier general.
- (b) **Exception for Officers in Grade of First Lieutenant.—** [Subsection (a)](#a) does not require the convening of a selection board in the case of Space Force [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) in the permanent [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) of first lieutenant when the Secretary of the Air Force recommends for promotion to the [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) of captain under [section 20239(c)(4)(A) of this title](/usc/10/20239.md?p=c-4-A) all such [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) whom the Secretary finds to be fully qualified for promotion.
- (c) **Selection Boards for Early Retirement or Discharge.—** The Secretary of the Air Force may convene selection boards to recommend [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) for early retirement under [section 20404(a) of this title](/usc/10/20404.md?p=a) or for discharge under [section 20404(b) of this title](/usc/10/20404.md?p=b).
- (d) **Regulations.—** The convening of selection boards under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Defense.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, § 1716(c), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 634; amended Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title V, § 521(n), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1882.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2024—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 118–159 substituted “20239(c)(4)(A)” for “20238(a)(4)(A)”.