---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 3044"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "3044"
heading: "Retirement for length of service"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/3044"
units:
  - "Chapter 43 — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps"
  - "Subchapter III — Separation and Retirement of Officers"
---

# §3044. Retirement for length of service


An [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) who has completed 20 years of service, of which at least 10 years was service as a commissioned [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3), may at any time thereafter, upon application by such [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) and in the discretion of the President, be placed on the retired list.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 244, Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3089.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

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

### Executive Documents

### Delegation of Functions

Functions of President under this section delegated to Secretary of Commerce by section 1(f) of Ex. Ord. No. 11023, May 28, 1962, 27 F.R. 5131, as amended, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.