---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 20234"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "20234"
heading: "Opportunities for consideration for promotion"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/20234"
units:
  - "Subtitle F — Alternative Military Personnel Systems"
  - "Part I — Space Force"
  - "Chapter 2005 — Officers"
  - "Subchapter III — Promotions"
---

# §20234. Opportunities for consideration for promotion

- (a) **Specification of Number of Opportunities for Consideration for Promotion.—** The Secretary of the Air Force shall specify the number of opportunities for consideration for promotion to be afforded to Space Force [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) for promotion to each [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) above the [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) of captain.
- (b) **Limited Authority of Secretary of the Air Force to Modify Number of Opportunities.—** The Secretary of the Air Force may modify the number of opportunities for consideration for promotion to be afforded [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) within a competitive category for promotion to a particular [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7), as previously specified by the Secretary pursuant to [subsection (a)](#a), not more frequently than once every five years.
- (c) **Authority of Secretary of Defense to Modify Number of Opportunities.—** The Secretary of Defense may modify the number of opportunities for consideration for promotion to be afforded [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) of the Space Force within a competitive category for promotion to a particular [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7), as previously specified or modified pursuant to any provision of this section, at the discretion of the Secretary.
- (d) **Limitation on Number of Opportunities Specified.—** The number of opportunities for consideration for promotion to be afforded [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) of the Space Force within a competitive category for promotion to a particular [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7), as specified or modified pursuant to any provision of this section, may not exceed five opportunities.
- (e) **Effect of Certain Reduction in Number of Opportunities Specified.—** If, by reason of a reduction in the number of opportunities for consideration for promotion under this section, an [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) would no longer have one or more opportunities for consideration for promotion that were available to the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) before the reduction, the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) shall be afforded one additional opportunity for consideration for promotion after the reduction.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, § 1716(c), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 643; amended Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title V, § 521(r), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1882.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2024—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 118–159 substituted “pursuant to subsection (a)” for “pursuant subsection (a)”.