1. U.S. Code
  2. title 14
  3. subtitle II
  4. chapter 21
  5. subchapter I
  6. § 2109

Collapse to view only § 2109. Selection boards; oath of members

§ 2101. Original appointment of permanent commissioned officers
(a)
(1) The President may appoint permanent commissioned officers in the Regular Coast Guard in grades appropriate to their qualification, experience, and length of service, as the needs of the Coast Guard may require, from among the following categories:
(A) Graduates of the Coast Guard Academy.
(B) Commissioned warrant officers, warrant officers, and enlisted members of the Regular Coast Guard.
(C) Members of the Coast Guard Reserve who have served at least 2 years as such.
(D) Licensed officers of the United States merchant marine who have served 2 or more years aboard a vessel of the United States in the capacity of a licensed officer.
(2) Original appointments under this section in the grades of lieutenant commander and above shall be made by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(3) Original appointments under this section in the grades of ensign through lieutenant shall be made by the President alone.
(b) No individual shall be appointed a commissioned officer under this section until his mental, moral, physical, and professional fitness to perform the duties of a commissioned officer has been established under such regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe.
(c) Appointees under this section shall take precedence in the grade to which appointed in accordance with the dates of their commissions as commissioned officers in such grade. Appointees whose dates of commission are the same shall take precedence with each other as the Secretary shall determine.
(d) For the purposes of this section, the term “original”, with respect to the appointment of a member of the Coast Guard, refers to that member’s most recent appointment in the Coast Guard that is neither a promotion nor a demotion.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177, § 211; amended Pub. L. 89–444, § 1(11), June 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 196; Pub. L. 98–557, § 15(a)(3)(B), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865; Pub. L. 109–241, title II, § 217(a), July 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 525; Pub. L. 112–213, title II, § 206, Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1546; renumbered § 2101, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8505(a)(13), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4748.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2101

§ 2102. Active duty promotion list
(a) The Secretary shall maintain a single active duty promotion list of officers of the Coast Guard on active duty in the grades of ensign and above. Reserve officers on active duty, other than pursuant to an active duty agreement executed under section 12311 of title 10, retired officers, and officers of the permanent commissioned teaching staff of the Coast Guard Academy shall not be included on the active duty promotion list.
(b) Officers shall be carried on the active duty promotion list in the order of seniority of the grades in which they are serving. Officers serving in the same grade shall be carried in the order of their seniority in that grade. The Secretary may correct any erroneous position on the active duty promotion list that was caused by administrative error.
(c) An individual appointed in the grade of ensign or above in the Regular Coast Guard shall be placed on the active duty promotion list in the order of his date of rank and seniority.
(d) A Reserve officer, other than one excluded by subsection (a), shall, when he enters on active duty, be placed on the active duty promotion list in accordance with his grade and seniority. The position of such a Reserve officer among other officers of the Coast Guard on active duty who have the same date of rank shall be determined by the Secretary.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(1), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 174, § 41a; amended Pub. L. 91–278, § 1(2), June 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 304; Pub. L. 93–174, § 1(1), Dec. 5, 1973, 87 Stat. 692; Pub. L. 97–136, § 6(a), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1706; Pub. L. 103–206, title II, § 205(a), Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2422; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1677(b)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3019; renumbered § 2102, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8505(a)(14), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4748.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2102

§ 2103. Number and distribution of commissioned officers on active duty promotion list
(a)Maximum Total Number.—
(1)In general.—The total number of Coast Guard commissioned officers on the active duty promotion list, excluding warrant officers, shall not exceed—
(A) 7,100 in fiscal year 2022;
(B) 7,200 in fiscal year 2023;
(C) 7,300 in fiscal year 2024; and
(D) 7,400 in fiscal year 2025 and each subsequent fiscal year.
(2)Temporary increase.—Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Commandant may temporarily increase the total number of commissioned officers permitted under such paragraph by up to 4 percent for not more than 60 days after the date of the commissioning of a Coast Guard Academy class.
(3)Notification.—Not later than 30 days after exceeding the total number of commissioned officers permitted under paragraphs (1) and (2), and each 30 days thereafter until the total number of commissioned officers no longer exceeds the number of such officers permitted under paragraphs (1) and (2), the Commandant shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of the number of officers on the active duty promotion list on the last day of the preceding 30-day period.
(b)Distribution Percentages by Grade.—
(1)Required.—The total number of commissioned officers authorized by this section shall be distributed in grade in the following percentages: 0.375 percent for rear admiral; 0.375 percent for rear admiral (lower half); 6.0 percent for captain; 15.0 percent for commander; and 22.0 percent for lieutenant commander.
(2)Discretionary.—The Secretary shall prescribe the percentages applicable to the grades of lieutenant, lieutenant (junior grade), and ensign.
(3)Authority of secretary to reduce percentage.—The Secretary—
(A) may reduce, as the needs of the Coast Guard require, any of the percentages set forth in paragraph (1); and
(B) shall apply that total percentage reduction to any other lower grade or combination of lower grades.
(c)Computations.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary shall compute, at least once each year, the total number of commissioned officers authorized to serve in each grade by applying the grade distribution percentages established by or under this section to the total number of commissioned officers listed on the current active duty promotion list.
(2)Rounding fractions.—Subject to subsection (a), in making the computations under paragraph (1), any fraction shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.
(3)Treatment of officers serving outside coast guard.—The number of commissioned officers on the active duty promotion list below the rank of vice admiral serving with other Federal departments or agencies on a reimbursable basis or excluded under section 324(d) of title 49 shall not be counted against the total number of commissioned officers authorized to serve in each grade.
(d)Use of Numbers; Temporary Increases.—The numbers resulting from computations under subsection (c) shall be, for all purposes, the authorized number in each grade; except that the authorized number for a grade is temporarily increased during the period between one computation and the next by the number of officers originally appointed in that grade during that period and the number of officers of that grade for whom vacancies exist in the next higher grade but whose promotion has been delayed for any reason.
(e)Officers Serving Coast Guard Academy and Reserve.—The number of officers authorized to be serving on active duty in each grade of the permanent commissioned teaching staff of the Coast Guard Academy and of the Reserve serving in connection with organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the reserve components shall be prescribed by the Secretary.
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 497, § 42; July 20, 1956, ch. 647, § 2, 70 Stat. 588; Pub. L. 86–474, § 1(2), May 14, 1960, 74 Stat. 144; Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(2), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 174; Pub. L. 89–444, § 1(2), June 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 195; Pub. L. 90–385, July 5, 1968, 82 Stat. 293; Pub. L. 92–451, § 1(2), Oct. 2, 1972, 86 Stat. 755; Pub. L. 93–174, § 1(2), Dec. 5, 1973, 87 Stat. 692; Pub. L. 96–23, § 4, June 13, 1979, 93 Stat. 68; Pub. L. 97–417, § 2(2), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2085; Pub. L. 97–449, § 5(b), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2442; Pub. L. 98–557, § 25(a)(1), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2872; Pub. L. 99–145, title V, § 514(c)(1), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 629; Pub. L. 103–206, title II, § 201, Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2420; Pub. L. 108–293, title II, § 214, Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1037; Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 204(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2910; Pub. L. 113–281, title II, § 201, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3024; renumbered § 2103, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXII [LXXXII], § 8217, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4653; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, § 11236(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4035.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2103

§ 2104. Appointment of temporary officers
(a) The president may appoint temporary commissioned officers—
(1) in the Regular Coast Guard in a grade, not above lieutenant, appropriate to their qualifications, experience, and length of service, as the needs of the Coast Guard may require, from among the commissioned warrant officers, warrant officers, and enlisted members of the Coast Guard, and from holders of licenses issued under chapter 71 of title 46; and
(2) in the Coast Guard Reserve in a grade, not above lieutenant, appropriate to their qualifications, experience, and length of service, as the needs of the Coast Guard may require, from among the commissioned warrant officers of the Coast Guard Reserve.
(b) Temporary appointments under this section do not change the permanent, probationary, or acting status of individuals so appointed, prejudice them in regard to promotion or appointment, or abridge their rights or benefits. An individual who is appointed under this section may not suffer any reduction in the rate of pay and allowances to which he would have been entitled had he remained in his former grade and continued to receive the increases in pay and allowances authorized for that grade.
(c) An appointment under this section, or a subsequent promotion appointment of a temporary officer, may be vacated by the appointing officer at any time. Each officer whose appointment is so vacated shall revert to his permanent status.
(d) Appointees under this section shall take precedence in the grade to which appointed in accordance with the dates of their appointments as officers in such grade. Appointees whose dates of appointment are the same shall take precedence with each other as the Secretary shall determine.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 178, § 214; amended Pub. L. 89–444, § 1(12)–(14), June 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 196; Pub. L. 93–283, § 1(5), May 14, 1974, 88 Stat. 140; Pub. L. 96–376, § 6, Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1509; Pub. L. 98–557, § 15(a)(3)(B), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title V, § 541(f)(6), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2767; Pub. L. 104–324, title II, § 211(a), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3915; Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 211, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2914; renumbered § 2104, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8505(a)(15), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4748.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2104

§ 2105. Rank of warrant officers
(a) Among warrant officer grades, warrant officers of a higher numerical designation are senior to warrant officer grades of a lower numerical designation.
(b) Warrant officers shall take precedence in the grade to which appointed in accordance with the dates of their commissions as commissioned officers in the Coast Guard in such grade. Precedence among warrant officers of the same grade who have the same date of commission shall be determined by regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title V, § 541(e)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2766, § 215; renumbered § 2105, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2105

§ 2106. Selection boards; convening of boards

At least once a year and at such other times as the needs of the service require, the Secretary shall convene selection boards to recommend for promotion to the next higher grade officers on the active duty promotion list in each grade from lieutenant (junior grade) through captain, with separate boards for each grade. However, the Secretary is not required to convene a board to recommend officers for promotion to a grade when no vacancies exist in the grade concerned, and he estimates that none will occur in the next twelve months.

(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 178, § 251; renumbered § 2106, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2106

§ 2107. Selection boards; composition of boards

A board convened under section 2106 of this title shall consist of five or more officers on the active duty promotion list who are serving in or above the grade to which the board may recommend officers for promotion. No officer may be a member of two successive boards convened to consider officers of the same grade for promotion.

(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 179, § 252; renumbered § 2107 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2107

§ 2108. Selection boards; notice of convening; communication with board
(a) Before a board is convened under section 2106 of this title, notice of the convening date, the promotion zone to be considered, and the officers eligible for consideration shall be given to the service at large.
(b) Each officer eligible for consideration by a selection board convened under section 2106 of this title may send a communication through official channels to the board, to arrive not later than the date the board convenes, inviting attention to any matter of record in the armed forces concerning such officer. A communication sent under this section may not criticize any officer or reflect upon the character, conduct, or motive of any officer.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 179, § 253; amended Pub. L. 89–444, § 1(15), June 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 196; Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 212(1), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2914; renumbered § 2108 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8506(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4752.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2108

§ 2109. Selection boards; oath of members
Each member of a selection board shall swear—
(1) that the member will, without prejudice or partiality, and having in view both the special fitness of officers and the efficiency of the Coast Guard, perform the duties imposed upon the member; and
(2) an oath in accordance with section 931.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 179, § 254; amended Pub. L. 112–213, title II, § 207, Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1546; renumbered § 2109 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2109

§ 2110. Number of officers to be selected for promotion

Before convening a board under section 2106 of this title to recommend officers for promotion to any grade, the Secretary shall determine the total number of officers to be selected for promotion to that grade. This number shall be equal to the number of vacancies existing in the grade, plus the number of additional vacancies estimated for the next twelve months, less the number of officers on the selection list for the grade.

(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 179, § 255; renumbered § 2110 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2110

§ 2111. Promotion zones
(a) Before convening a selection board to recommend officers for promotion to any grade above lieutenant (junior grade) and below rear admiral (lower half), the Secretary shall establish a promotion zone for the grade to be considered. The promotion zone for each grade shall consist of the most senior officers of that grade on the active duty promotion list who are eligible for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade and who have not previously been placed in a promotion zone for selection for promotion to the next higher grade. The number of officers in each zone shall be determined after considering—
(1) the needs of the service;
(2) the estimated numbers of vacancies available in future years to provide comparable opportunity for promotion of officers in successive year groups; and
(3) the extent to which current terms of service in that grade conform to a desirable career promotion pattern.
However, such number of officers shall not exceed the number to be selected for promotion divided by one-half.
(b) Promotion zones from which officers will be selected for promotion to the grade of rear admiral (lower half) shall be established by the Secretary as the needs of the service require.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 179, § 256; amended Pub. L. 89–444, § 1(16), June 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 196; Pub. L. 97–417, § 2(3), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2085; Pub. L. 99–145, title V, § 514(c)(1), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 629; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, § 1343(c), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3995; renumbered § 2111 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), title III, § 312, Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4249.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2111

§ 2112. Promotion year; defined

For the purposes of this chapter, “promotion year” means the period which commences on July 1 of each year and ends on June 30 of the following year.

(Added Pub. L. 94–546, § 1(17), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2520, § 256a; renumbered § 2112, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2112

§ 2113. Eligibility of officers for consideration for promotion
(a) An officer on the active duty promotion list becomes eligible for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade at the beginning of the promotion year in which he completes the following amount of service computed from his date of rank in the grade in which he is serving:
(1) two years in the grade of lieutenant (junior grade);
(2) three years in the grade of lieutenant;
(3) four years in the grade of lieutenant commander;
(4) four years in the grade of commander; and
(5) three years in the grade of captain.
(b) For the purpose of this section, service in a grade includes all qualifying service in that grade or a higher grade, under either a temporary or permanent appointment. However, service in a grade under a temporary service appointment under section 2125 of this title is considered as service only in the grade that the officer concerned would have held had he not been so appointed.
(c) No officer may become eligible for consideration for promotion until all officers of his grade senior to him are so eligible.
(d) Except when his name is on a list of selectees, each officer who becomes eligible for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade remains eligible so long as he—
(1) continues on active duty; and
(2) is not promoted to that grade.
(e) An officer whose involuntary retirement or separation is deferred under section 2156 of this title is not eligible for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade during the period of that deferment.
(f) The Secretary may waive subsection (a) to the extent necessary to allow officers described therein to have at least two opportunities for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade as officers below the promotion zone.
(g)
(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Commandant may provide that an officer may, upon the officer’s request and with the approval of the Commandant, be excluded from consideration by a selection board convened under section 2106.
(2) The Commandant shall approve a request under paragraph (1) only if—
(A) the basis for the request is to allow the officer to complete a broadening assignment, advanced education, another assignment of significant value to the Coast Guard, a career progression requirement delayed by the assignment or education, or a qualifying personal or professional circumstance, as determined by the Commandant;
(B) the Commandant determines the exclusion from consideration is in the best interest of the Coast Guard; and
(C) the officer has not previously failed of selection for promotion to the grade for which the officer requests the exclusion from consideration.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 179, § 257; amended Pub. L. 94–546, § 1(19), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2520; Pub. L. 98–557, § 17(b)(1), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2867; Pub. L. 109–241, title II, § 203, July 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 520; renumbered § 2113 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXII [LXXXII], § 8202(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4642.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2113

§ 2114. United States Deputy Marshals in Alaska

Commissioned officers may be appointed as United States Deputy Marshals in Alaska.

(Added Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(c)(3), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4221.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2114

§ 2115. Selection boards; information to be furnished boards
(a)In General.—The Secretary shall furnish the appropriate selection board convened under section 2106 of this title with—
(1) the number of officers that the board may recommend for promotion to the next higher grade;
(2) the names and records of all officers who are eligible for consideration for promotion to the grade to which the board will recommend officers for promotion; and
(3) in the case of an eligible officer considered for promotion to a rank above lieutenant, any credible information of an adverse nature, including any substantiated adverse finding or conclusion from an officially documented investigation or inquiry and any information placed in the personnel service record of the officer under section 1745(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 10 U.S.C. 1561 note), shall be furnished to the selection board in accordance with standards and procedures set out in the regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(b)Provision of Direction and Guidance.—
(1) In addition to the information provided pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary may furnish the selection board—
(A) specific direction relating to the needs of the Coast Guard for officers having particular skills, including direction relating to the need for a minimum number of officers with particular skills within a specialty; and
(B) any other guidance that the Secretary believes may be necessary to enable the board to properly perform its functions.
(2) Selections made based on the direction and guidance provided under this subsection shall not exceed the maximum percentage of officers who may be selected from below the announced promotion zone at any given selection board convened under section 2106 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 180, § 258; amended Pub. L. 89–444, § 1(17), June 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 196; Pub. L. 104–324, title II, § 212, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3915; Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 212(2), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2914; renumbered § 2115 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, § 11245(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4043.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2115

§ 2116. Officers to be recommended for promotion
(a) A selection board convened to recommend officers for promotion shall recommend those eligible officers whom the board, giving due consideration to the needs of the Coast Guard for officers with particular skills so noted in specific direction furnished to the board by the Secretary under section 2115 of this title, considers best qualified of the officers under consideration for promotion. No officer may be recommended for promotion unless he receives the recommendation of at least a majority of the members of a board composed of five members, or at least two-thirds of the members of a board composed of more than five members.
(b) The number of officers that a board convened under section 2106 of this title may recommend for promotion to a grade below rear admiral (lower half) from among eligible officers junior in rank to the junior officer in the appropriate promotion zone may not exceed—
(1) 5 percent of the total number of officers that the board is authorized to recommend for promotion to the grade of lieutenant or lieutenant commander;
(2) 7½ percent of the total number of officers that the board is authorized to recommend for promotion to the grade of commander; and
(3) 10 percent of the total number of officers that the board is authorized to recommend for promotion to the grade of captain;
unless such percentage is a number less than one, in which case the board may recommend one such officer for promotion.
(c)
(1) In selecting the officers to be recommended for promotion, a selection board may recommend officers of particular merit, from among those officers chosen for promotion, to be placed at the top of the list of selectees promulgated by the Secretary under section 2121(a) of this title. The number of officers that a board may recommend to be placed at the top of the list of selectees may not exceed three times the percentages set forth in subsection (b) unless such a percentage is a number less than one, in which case the board may recommend one officer for such placement. No officer may be recommended to be placed at the top of the list of selectees unless he or she receives the recommendation of at least a majority of the members of a board composed of five members, or at least two-thirds of the members of a board composed of more than five members.
(2) The Secretary shall conduct a survey of the Coast Guard officer corps to determine if implementation of this subsection will improve Coast Guard officer retention. A selection board may not make any recommendation under this subsection before the date on which the Secretary publishes a finding, based upon the results of the survey, that implementation of this subsection will improve Coast Guard officer retention.
(3) The Secretary shall submit any finding made by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (2) to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 180, § 259; amended Pub. L. 97–417, § 2(4), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2085; Pub. L. 99–145, title V, § 514(c)(1), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 629; Pub. L. 107–295, title III, § 313(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2102; Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 212(3), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2915; Pub. L. 112–213, title II, § 217(3), Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1557; renumbered § 2116 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, § 11238, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4037.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2116

§ 2117. Selection boards; reports
(a) Each board convened under section 2106 of this title shall submit a report in writing, signed by all the members thereof, containing the names of the officers recommended for promotion and the names of those officers recommended to be advanced to the top of the list of selectees established by the Secretary under section 2121(a) of this title.
(b) A board convened under section 2106 of this title shall certify that, in the opinion of at least a majority of the members if the board has five members, or in the opinion of at least two-thirds of the members if the board has more than five members, the officers recommended for promotion are the best qualified for promotion to meet the needs of the service (as noted in specific direction furnished the board by the Secretary under section 2115 of this title) of those officers whose names have been furnished to the board.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 180, § 260; amended Pub. L. 107–295, title III, § 313(2), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2103; Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 212(4), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2915; renumbered § 2117 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2117

§ 2118. Selection boards; submission of reports
(a) A board convened under section 2106 of this title shall submit its report to the Secretary. If the board has acted contrary to law or regulation, the Secretary may return the report for proceedings in revision and resubmission to the Secretary. After his final review, the Secretary shall submit the report of the board to the President for his approval, modification, or disapproval.
(b) If any officer recommended for promotion is not acceptable to the President, the President may remove the name of that officer from the report of the board.
(c) Upon approval by the President the names of officers selected for promotion by a board convened under section 2106 of this title shall be promptly disseminated to the service at large.
(d) Except as required by this section, the proceedings of a selection board, including a special selection board convened under section 2120, shall not be disclosed to any individual who is not a member of the board.
(e) If the Secretary makes a recommendation under this section that the name of an officer be removed from a report of a selection board and the recommendation is accompanied by information that was not presented to that selection board, that information shall be made available to that officer. The officer shall then be afforded a reasonable opportunity to submit comments on that information to the officials making the recommendation and the officials reviewing the recommendation. If an eligible officer cannot be given access to such information because of its classification status, the officer shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be provided with an appropriate summary of the information.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 181, § 261; amended Pub. L. 112–213, title II, § 208(b), Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1549; renumbered § 2118 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8505(a)(16), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4748; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, § 11245(c), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4045.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2118

§ 2119. Failure of selection for promotion

An officer, other than an officer serving in the grade of captain, who is, or is senior to, the junior officer in the promotion zone established for his grade under section 2111 of this title, fails of selection if he is not selected for promotion by the selection board which considered him, or if having been recommended for promotion by the board, his name is thereafter removed from the report of the board by the President.

(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 181, § 262; amended Pub. L. 112–213, title II, § 208(c), Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1549; renumbered § 2119 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2119

§ 2120. Special selection boards; correction of errors
(a)Officers Not Considered Due to Administrative Error.—
(1)In general.—If the Secretary determines that as the result of an administrative error—
(A) an officer or former officer was not considered for selection for promotion by a selection board convened under section 2106; or
(B) the name of an officer or former officer was not placed on an all-fully-qualified-officers list;
the Secretary shall convene a special selection board to determine whether such officer or former officer should be recommended for promotion and such officer or former officer shall not be considered to have failed of selection for promotion prior to the consideration of the special selection board.
(2)Effect of failure to recommend for promotion.—If a special selection board convened under paragraph (1) does not recommend for promotion an officer or former officer, whose grade is below the grade of captain and whose name was referred to that board for consideration, the officer or former officer shall be considered to have failed of selection for promotion.
(b)Officers Considered But Not Selected; Material Error.—
(1)In general.—In the case of an officer or former officer who was eligible for promotion, was considered for selection for promotion by a selection board convened under section 2106, and was not selected for promotion by that board, the Secretary may convene a special selection board to determine whether the officer or former officer should be recommended for promotion, if the Secretary determines that—
(A) an action of the selection board that considered the officer or former officer—
(i) was contrary to law in a matter material to the decision of the board; or
(ii) involved material error of fact or material administrative error; or
(B) the selection board that considered the officer or former officer did not have before it for consideration material information.
(2)Effect of failure to recommend for promotion.—If a special selection board convened under paragraph (1) does not recommend for promotion an officer or former officer, whose grade is that of commander or below and whose name was referred to that board for consideration, the officer or former officer shall be considered—
(A) to have failed of selection for promotion with respect to the board that considered the officer or former officer prior to the consideration of the special selection board; and
(B) to incur no additional failure of selection for promotion as a result of the action of the special selection board.
(c)Requirements for Special Selection Boards.—Each special selection board convened under this section shall—
(1) be composed in accordance with section 2107 and the members of the board shall be required to swear the oaths described in section 2109;
(2) consider the record of an applicable officer or former officer as that record, if corrected, would have appeared to the selection board that should have considered or did consider the officer or former officer prior to the consideration of the special selection board and that record shall be compared with a sampling of the records of—
(A) those officers of the same grade who were recommended for promotion by such prior selection board; and
(B) those officers of the same grade who were not recommended for promotion by such prior selection board; and
(3) submit to the Secretary a written report in a manner consistent with sections 2117 and 2118.
(d)Appointment of Officers Recommended for Promotion.—
(1)In general.—An officer or former officer whose name is placed on a promotion list as a result of the recommendation of a special selection board convened under this section shall be appointed, as soon as practicable, to the next higher grade in accordance with the law and policies that would have been applicable to the officer or former officer had the officer or former officer been recommended for promotion by the selection board that should have considered or did consider the officer or former officer prior to the consideration of the special selection board.
(2)Effect.—An officer or former officer who is promoted to the next higher grade as a result of the recommendation of a special selection board convened under this section shall have, upon such promotion, the same date of rank, the same effective date for the pay and allowances of that grade, and the same position on the active duty promotion list as the officer or former officer would have had if the officer or former officer had been recommended for promotion to that grade by the selection board that should have considered or did consider the officer or former officer prior to the consideration of the special selection board.
(3)Record correction.—If the report of a special selection board convened under this section, as approved by the President, recommends for promotion to the next higher grade an officer not eligible for promotion or a former officer whose name was referred to the board for consideration, the Secretary may act under section 1552 of title 10 to correct the military record of the officer or former officer to correct an error or remove an injustice resulting from the officer or former officer not being selected for promotion by the selection board that should have considered or did consider the officer or former officer prior to the consideration of the special selection board.
(e)Application Process and Time Limits.—The Secretary shall issue regulations regarding the process by which an officer or former officer may apply to have a matter considered by a special selection board convened under this section, including time limits related to such applications.
(f)Limitation of Other Jurisdiction.—No official or court of the United States shall have authority or jurisdiction over any claim based in any way on the failure of an officer or former officer to be selected for promotion by a selection board convened under section 2106, until—
(1) the claim has been referred to a special selection board convened under this section and acted upon by that board; or
(2) the claim has been rejected by the Secretary without consideration by a special selection board convened under this section.
(g)Judicial Review.—
(1)In general.—A court of the United States may review—
(A) a decision of the Secretary not to convene a special selection board under this section to determine if the court finds that the decision of the Secretary was arbitrary or capricious, not based on substantial evidence, or otherwise contrary to law; and
(B) an action of a special selection board under this section to determine if the court finds that the action of the special selection board was contrary to law or involved material error of fact or material administrative error.
(2)Remand and reconsideration.—If, with respect to a review under paragraph (1), a court makes a finding described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of that paragraph, the court shall remand the case to the Secretary and the Secretary shall provide the applicable officer or former officer consideration by a new special selection board convened under this section.
(h)Designation of Boards.—The Secretary may designate a selection board convened under section 2106 as a special selection board convened under this section. A selection board so designated may function in the capacity of a selection board convened under section 2106 and a special selection board convened under this section.
(Added Pub. L. 112–213, title II, § 208(a), Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1546, § 263; renumbered § 2120 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2120

§ 2120a. Special selection review boards
(a)In General.—
(1) If the Secretary determines that a person recommended by a promotion board for promotion to a grade at or below the grade of rear admiral is the subject of credible information of an adverse nature, including any substantiated adverse finding or conclusion described in section 2115(a)(3) of this title that was not furnished to the promotion board during its consideration of the person for promotion as otherwise required by such section, the Secretary shall convene a special selection review board under this section to review the person and recommend whether the recommendation for promotion of the person should be sustained.
(2) If a person and the recommendation for promotion of the person is subject to review under this section by a special selection review board convened under this section, the name of the person—
(A) shall not be disseminated or publicly released on the list of officers recommended for promotion by the promotion board recommending the promotion of the person; and
(B) shall not be forwarded to the President or the Senate, as applicable, or included on a promotion list under section 2121 of this title.
(b)Convening.—
(1) Any special selection review board convened under this section shall be convened in accordance with the provisions of section 2120(c) of this title.
(2) Any special selection review board convened under this section may review such number of persons, and recommendations for promotion of such persons, as the Secretary shall specify in convening such special selection review board.
(c)Information Considered.—
(1) In reviewing a person and recommending whether the recommendation for promotion of the person should be sustained under this section, a special selection review board convened under this section shall be furnished and consider the following:
(A) The record and information concerning the person furnished in accordance with section 2115 of this title to the promotion board that recommended the person for promotion.
(B) Any credible information of an adverse nature on the person, including any substantiated adverse finding or conclusion from an officially documented investigation or inquiry described in section 2115(a)(3) of this title.
(2) The furnishing of information to a special selection review board under paragraph (1)(B) shall be governed by the standards and procedures referred to in section 2115 of this title.
(3)
(A) Before information on a person described in paragraph (1)(B) is furnished to a special selection review board for purposes of this section, the Secretary shall ensure that—
(i) such information is made available to the person; and
(ii) subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), the person is afforded a reasonable opportunity to submit comments on such information to the special selection review board before its review of the person and the recommendation for promotion of the person under this section.
(B) If information on a person described in paragraph (1)(B) is not made available to the person as otherwise required by subparagraph (A)(i) due to the classification status of such information, the person shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be furnished a summary of such information appropriate to the person’s authorization for access to classified information.
(C)
(i) An opportunity to submit comments on information is not required for a person under subparagraph (A)(ii) if—(I) such information was made available to the person in connection with the furnishing of such information under section 2115(a) of this title to the promotion board that recommended the promotion of the person subject to review under this section; and(II) the person submitted comments on such information to that promotion board.
(ii) The comments on information of a person described in clause (i)(II) shall be furnished to the special selection review board.
(D) A person may waive either or both of the following:
(i) The right to submit comments to a special selection review board under subparagraph (A)(ii).
(ii) The furnishing of comments to a special selection review board under subparagraph (C)(ii).
(d)Consideration.—
(1) In considering the record and information on a person under this section, the special selection review board shall compare such record and information with an appropriate sampling of the records of those officers who were recommended for promotion by the promotion board that recommended the person for promotion, and an appropriate sampling of the records of those officers who were considered by and not recommended for promotion by that promotion board.
(2) Records and information shall be presented to a special selection review board for purposes of paragraph (1) in a manner that does not indicate or disclose the person or persons for whom the special selection review board was convened.
(3) In considering whether the recommendation for promotion of a person should be sustained under this section, a special selection review board shall, to the greatest extent practicable, apply standards used by the promotion board that recommended the person for promotion.
(4) The recommendation for promotion of a person may be sustained under this section only if the special selection review board determines that the person—
(A) ranks on an order of merit created by the special selection review board as better qualified for promotion than the sample officer highest on the order of merit list who was considered by and not recommended for promotion by the promotion board concerned; and
(B) is comparable in qualification for promotion to those sample officers who were recommended for promotion by that promotion board.
(5) A recommendation for promotion of a person may be sustained under this section only by a vote of a majority of the members of the special selection review board.
(6) If a special selection review board does not sustain a recommendation for promotion of a person under this section, the person shall be considered to have failed of selection for promotion.
(e)Reports.—
(1) Each special selection review board convened under this section shall submit to the Secretary a written report, signed by each member of the board, containing the name of each person whose recommendation for promotion it recommends for sustainment and certifying that the board has carefully considered the record and information of each person whose name was referred to it.
(2) The provisions of sections 2117(a) of this title apply to the report and proceedings of a special selection review board convened under this section in the same manner as they apply to the report and proceedings of a promotion board convened under section 2106 of this title.
(f)Appointment of Persons.—
(1) If the report of a special selection review board convened under this section recommends the sustainment of the recommendation for promotion to the next higher grade of a person whose name was referred to it for review under this section, and the President approves the report, the person shall, as soon as practicable, be appointed to that grade in accordance with section 2121 of this title.
(2) A person who is appointed to the next higher grade as described in paragraph (1) shall, upon that appointment, have the same date of rank, the same effective date for the pay and allowances of that grade, and the same position on the active-duty list as the person would have had pursuant to the original recommendation for promotion of the promotion board concerned.
(g)Regulations.—The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section.
(h)Promotion Board Defined.—In this section, the term “promotion board” means a selection board convened by the Secretary under section 2106 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, § 11245(b)(1), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4043.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2120a

§ 2121. Promotions; appointments
(a) When the report of a board convened to recommend officers for promotion has been approved by the President, the Secretary shall place the names of all officers selected and approved on a list of selectees in the order of their seniority on the active duty promotion list. The names of all officers approved by the President and recommended by the board to be placed at the top of the list of selectees shall be placed at the top of the list of selectees in the order of seniority on the active duty promotion list.
(b) Officers on the list of selectees may be promoted by appointment in the next higher grade to fill vacancies in the authorized active duty strength of the grade as determined under section 2103 of this title after officers on any previous list of selectees for that grade have been promoted. Officers shall be promoted in the order that their names appear on the list of selectees. The date of rank of an officer promoted under this subsection shall be the date of his appointment in that grade.
(c) An officer serving on active duty in the grade of ensign may, if found fully qualified for promotion in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, be promoted to the grade of lieutenant (junior grade) by appointment after he has completed twelve months’ active service in grade. The date of rank of an officer promoted under this subsection shall be the date of his appointment in the grade of lieutenant (junior grade) as specified by the Secretary.
(d) When a vacancy in the grade of rear admiral occurs, the senior rear admiral (lower half) serving on the active duty promotion list shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to fill the vacancy. The appointment shall be effective on the date the vacancy occurred.
(e) Appointments of regular officers under this section shall be made by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate except that advice and consent is not required for appointments under this section in the grade of lieutenant (junior grade) or lieutenant. Appointments of Reserve officers shall be made as prescribed in section 12203 of title 10.
(f)
(1) The promotion of an officer may be delayed without prejudice if any of the following applies:
(A) The officer is under investigation or proceedings of a court-martial or a board of officers are pending against the officer.
(B) A criminal proceeding in a Federal or State court is pending against the officer.
(C) The Secretary determines that credible information of an adverse nature, including a substantiated adverse finding or conclusion described in section 2115(a)(3), with respect to the officer will result in the convening of a special selection review board under section 2120a of this title to review the officer and recommend whether the recommendation for promotion of the officer should be sustained.
(2)
(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), a promotion may be delayed under this subsection until, as applicable—
(i) the completion of the investigation or proceedings described in subparagraph (A);
(ii) a final decision in the proceeding described in subparagraph (B) is issued; or
(iii) the special selection review board convened under section 2120a of this title issues recommendations with respect to the officer.
(B) Unless the Secretary determines that a further delay is necessary in the public interest, a promotion may not be delayed under this subsection for more than one year after the date the officer would otherwise have been promoted.
(3) An officer whose promotion is delayed under this subsection and who is subsequently promoted shall be given the date of rank and position on the active duty promotion list in the grade to which promoted that he would have held had his promotion not been so delayed.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 181, § 271; amended Pub. L. 91–278, § 1(8), June 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 305; Pub. L. 97–417, § 2(5), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2085; Pub. L. 99–145, title V, § 514(c)(1), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 629; Pub. L. 101–225, title II, § 203(2), Dec. 12, 1989, 103 Stat. 1911; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1677(b)(2), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3020; Pub. L. 107–295, title III, § 313(3), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2103; renumbered § 2121 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, § 11245(d), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4046.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2121

§ 2122. Removal of officer from list of selectees for promotion
(a) The President may remove the name of any officer from a list of selectees established under section 2121 of this title.
(b) If the Senate does not consent to the appointment of an officer whose name is on a list of selectees established under section 2121 of this title, that officer’s name shall be removed from this list.
(c) An officer whose name is removed from a list under subsection (a) or (b) continues to be eligible for consideration for promotion. If he is selected for promotion by the next selection board and promoted, he shall be given the date of rank and position on the active duty promotion list in the grade to which promoted that he would have held if his name had not been removed. However, if the officer is not selected by the next selection board or if his name is again removed from the list of selectees, he shall be considered for all purposes as having twice failed of selection for promotion.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 182, § 272; renumbered § 2122 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2122

§ 2123. Promotions; acceptance; oath of office
(a) An officer who receives an appointment under section 2121 of this title is considered to have accepted his appointment on its effective date, unless he expressly declines the appointment.
(b) An officer who has served continuously since he subscribed to the oath of office prescribed in section 3331 of title 5 is not required to take a new oath upon his appointment in a higher grade.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 182, § 273; amended Pub. L. 94–546, § 1(20), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2520; renumbered § 2123 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2123

§ 2124. Promotions; pay and allowances

An officer who is promoted under section 2121 of this title shall be entitled to the pay and allowances of the grade to which promoted from his date of rank in such grade.

(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 182, § 274; renumbered § 2124 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2124

§ 2125. Wartime temporary service promotions
(a) In time of war, or of national emergency declared by the President or Congress, the President may suspend any section of this chapter relating to the selection, promotion, or involuntary separation of officers. Such a suspension may not continue beyond six months after the termination of the war or national emergency.
(b) When the preceding sections of this chapter relating to selection and promotion of officers are suspended in accordance with subsection (a), and the needs of the service require, the President may, under regulations prescribed by him, promote to a higher grade any officer serving on active duty in the grade of ensign or above in the Coast Guard.
(c) In time of war, or of national emergency declared by the President or Congress, the President may, under regulations to be prescribed by him, promote to the next higher warrant officer grade any warrant officer serving on active duty in a grade below chief warrant officer, W–4.
[(d) Repealed. Pub. L. 97–417, § 2(6), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2085.]
(e) A promotion under this section to a grade above lieutenant may be made only upon the recommendation of a board of officers convened for that purpose.
(f) A promotion under this section shall be made by an appointment for temporary service. Original appointments under this section in the grades of lieutenant commander and above shall be made by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Original appointments under this section in the grades of ensign through lieutenant shall be made by the President alone. Any other appointments under this section shall be made by the President alone.
(g) An appointment under this section, unless expressly declined, is regarded as accepted on the date specified by the Secretary as the date of the appointment, and the officer so promoted is entitled to pay and allowances of the grade to which appointed from that date.
(h) An appointment under this section does not terminate any appointments held by an officer concerned under any other provisions of this title. The President may terminate temporary appointments made under this section at any time. An appointment under this section is effective for such period as the President determines. However, an appointment may not be effective later than six months after the end of the war or national emergency. When his temporary appointment under this section is terminated or expires, the officer shall revert to his former grade.
(i) Not later than six months after the end of the war or national emergency the President shall, under such regulations as he may prescribe, reestablish the active duty promotion list with adjustments and additions appropriate to the conditions of original appointment and wartime service of all officers to be included thereon. The President may, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint officers on the reestablished active duty promotion list to fill vacancies in the authorized active duty strength of each grade. Such appointments shall be considered to have been made under section 2121 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 182, § 275; amended Pub. L. 92–129, title VI, § 605, Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 362; Pub. L. 97–417, § 2(6), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2085; Pub. L. 109–241, title II, § 217(b), July 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 526; renumbered § 2125 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§ 112(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4240.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2125

§ 2126. Promotion of officers not included on active duty promotion list

Officers who are not included on the active duty promotion list may be promoted under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary. These regulations shall, as to officers serving in connection with organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the reserve components, provide as nearly as practicable, that such officers will be selected and promoted in the same manner and will be afforded equal opportunity for promotion as officers of the corresponding grade on the active duty promotion list.

(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 183, § 276; renumbered § 2126, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2126

§ 2127. Recall to active duty during war or national emergency

In time of war or national emergency, the Secretary may order any regular officer on the retired list to active duty.

(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 189, § 331; renumbered § 2127, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2127

§ 2128. Recall to active duty with consent of officer
(a) Any regular officer on the retired list may, with that officer’s consent, be assigned to such duties as that officer may be able to perform.
(b) The number of retired officers on active duty in the grade of lieutenant commander, commander, or captain shall not exceed 2 percent of the authorized number of officers on active duty in each such grade. However, this limitation does not apply to retired officers of these grades recalled to serve as members of courts, boards, panels, surveys, or special projects for periods not to exceed one year.
(Added Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(C), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 189, § 332; amended Pub. L. 89–444, § 1(18), June 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 196; Pub. L. 91–278, § 1(9), June 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 305; Pub. L. 102–241, § 14, Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2213; renumbered § 2128, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2128

§ 2129. Aviation cadets; appointment as Reserve officers
(a) An aviation cadet designated under section 2317 who fulfills the eligibility requirements of section 2003 of title 10 for designation as a naval aviator may be appointed an ensign in the Coast Guard Reserve and designated a Coast Guard aviator.
(b) Aviation cadets who complete their training at approximately the same time are considered for all purposes to have begun their commissioned service on the same date, and the decision of the Secretary in this regard is conclusive.
(Added Pub. L. 89–444, § 1(20), June 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 197, § 373; amended Pub. L. 94–546, § 1(28), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2521; renumbered § 2129 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 112(b), title III, § 313, Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4216, 4249.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2129

§ 2130. Promotion to certain grades for officers with critical skills: captain, commander, lieutenant commander, lieutenant
(a)In General.—An officer in the grade of lieutenant (junior grade), lieutenant, lieutenant commander, or commander who is described in subsection (b) may be temporarily promoted to the grade of lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, or captain under regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Appointments under this section shall be made by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b)Covered Officers.—An officer described in this subsection is any officer in a grade specified in subsection (a) who—
(1) has a skill in which the Coast Guard has a critical shortage of personnel (as determined by the Secretary); and
(2) is serving in a position (as determined by the Secretary) that—
(A) is designated to be held by a lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, or captain; and
(B) requires that an officer serving in such position have the skill possessed by such officer.
(c)Preservation of Position and Status of Officers Appointed.—
(1) The temporary positions authorized under this section shall not be counted among or included in the list of positions on the active duty promotion list.
(2) An appointment under this section does not change the position on the active duty list or the permanent, probationary, or acting status of the officer so appointed, prejudice the officer in regard to other promotions or appointments, or abridge the rights or benefits of the officer.
(d)Board Recommendation Required.—A temporary promotion under this section may be made only upon the recommendation of a board of officers convened by the Secretary for the purpose of recommending officers for such promotions.
(e)Acceptance and Effective Date of Appointment.—Each appointment under this section, unless expressly declined, is, without formal acceptance, regarded as accepted on the date such appointment is made, and a member so appointed is entitled to the pay and allowances of the grade of the temporary promotion under this section beginning on the date the appointment is made.
(f)Termination of Appointment.—Unless sooner terminated, an appointment under this section terminates—
(1) on the date the officer who received the appointment is promoted to the permanent grade of lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, or captain;
(2) on the date the officer is detached from a position described in subsection (b)(2), unless the officer is on a promotion list to the permanent grade of lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, or captain, in which case the appointment terminates on the date the officer is promoted to that grade;
(3) when the appointment officer determines that the officer who received the appointment has engaged in misconduct or has displayed substandard performance; or
(4) when otherwise determined by the Commandant to be in the best interests of the Coast Guard.
(g)Limitation on Number of Eligible Positions.—An appointment under this section may only be made for service in a position designated by the Secretary for the purposes of this section. The number of positions so designated may not exceed the following percentages of the respective grades:
(1) As lieutenant, 0.5 percent.
(2) As lieutenant commander, 3.0 percent.
(3) As commander, 2.6 percent.
(4) As captain, 2.6 percent.
(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXII [LXXXII], § 8203(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4643.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2130

§ 2131. College student pre-commissioning initiative
(a)In General.—There is authorized within the Coast Guard a college student pre-commissioning initiative program (in this section referred to as the “Program” ) for eligible undergraduate students to enlist and receive a guaranteed commission as an officer in the Coast Guard.
(b)Criteria for Selection.—To be eligible for the Program a student must meet the following requirements upon submitting an application:
(1)Age.—A student must be not less than 19 years old and not more than 27 years old as of September 30 of the fiscal year in which the Program selection panel selecting such student convenes.
(2)Character.—
(A)All applicants.—All applicants must be of outstanding moral character and meet other character requirements as set forth by the Commandant.
(B)Coast guard applicants.—An applicant serving in the Coast Guard may not be commissioned if in the 36 months prior to the first Officer Candidate School class convening date in the selection cycle, such applicant was convicted by a court-martial or awarded nonjudicial punishment, or did not meet performance or character requirements set forth by the Commandant.
(3)Citizenship.—A student must be a United States citizen.
(4)Clearance.—A student must be eligible for a secret clearance.
(5)Dependency.—
(A)In general.—A student may not have more than 2 dependents.
(B)Sole custody.—A student who is single may not have sole or primary custody of dependents.
(6)Education.—
(A)Institution.—A student must be an undergraduate sophomore or junior—
(i) at a historically Black college or university described in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) or an institution of higher education described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)); or
(ii) an undergraduate sophomore or junior enrolled at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that, at the time of application of the sophomore or junior, has had for 3 consecutive years an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students (as defined in section 312(e) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1058(e))) that is a total of at least 50 percent Black American, Hispanic, Asian American (as defined in section 371(c) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c))), Native American Pacific Islander (as defined in such section), or Native American (as defined in such section), among other criteria, as determined by the Commandant.
(B)Location.—The institution at which such student is an undergraduate must be within 100 miles of a Coast guard 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “Guard”.
unit or Coast Guard Recruiting Office unless otherwise approved by the Commandant.
(C)Records.—A student must meet credit and grade point average requirements set forth by the Commandant.
(7)Medical and administrative.—A student must meet other medical and administrative requirements as set forth by the Commandant.
(c)Enlistment and Obligation.—Individuals selected and accept to participate in the Program shall enlist in the Coast Guard in pay grade E–3 with a 4-year duty obligation and 4-year inactive Reserve obligation.
(d)Military Activities Prior to Officer Candidate School.—Individuals enrolled in the Program shall participate in military activities each month, as required by the Commandant, prior to attending Officer Candidate School.
(e)Participation in Officer Candidate School.—Each graduate of the Program shall attend the first enrollment of Officer Candidate School that commences after the date of such graduate’s graduation.
(f)Commissioning.—Upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, Program graduates shall be discharged from enlisted status and commissioned as an O–1 with an initial 3-year duty obligation.
(g)Briefing.—
(1)In general.—Not later than August 15 of each year, the Commandant shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the Program.
(2)Contents.—The briefing required under paragraph (1) shall describe—
(A) outreach and recruitment efforts over the previous year; and
(B) demographic information of enrollees including—
(i) race;
(ii) ethnicity;
(iii) gender;
(iv) geographic origin; and
(v) educational institution.
(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXII [LXXXII], § 8276(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4685.)

CITE AS: 14 USC 2131