---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 3025"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "3025"
heading: "Length of service for promotion purposes"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/3025"
units:
  - "Chapter 43 — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps"
  - "Subchapter II — Appointment and Promotion of Officers"
---

# §3025. Length of service for promotion purposes

- (a) **General rule—** Each [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) shall be assumed to have, for promotion purposes, at least the same length of service as any other [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) below that [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) on the lineal list.
- (b) **Exception—** Notwithstanding [subsection (a)](#a), an [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) who has lost numbers shall be assumed to have, for promotion purposes, no greater service than the [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) next above such [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) in such [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3)’s new position on the lineal list.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 225, Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3085.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 853f of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 107–372.