US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 12643

Boards for appointment, promotion, and certain other purposes: composition

(a)
section 612(a)(3) of this title Except as provided in and except for boards that may be convened to select Reserves for appointment in the Regular Army, Regular Navy, Regular Air Force, or Regular Marine Corps, each board convened for the appointment, promotion, demotion, involuntary release from active duty, discharge, or retirement of Reserves shall include at least one member of the Reserves, with the exact number of Reserves determined by the Secretary concerned in his discretion.
(b)
Each member of a board convened for the selection for promotion, or for the demotion or discharge, of Reserves must be senior in rank to the persons under consideration by that board. However, a member serving in a legal advisory capacity may be junior in rank to any person, other than a judge advocate or law specialist, being considered by that board; and a member serving in a medical advisory capacity may be junior in rank to any person, other than a medical officer, being considered by that board.

Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 104170A Stat. 11Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 501(4)94 Stat. 2907Pub. L. 97–22, § 2(c)95 Stat. 124Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1662(h)(2)108 Stat. 2996(, , § 266; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 12643, , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

266(a)

266(b)

50:1005(a).

50:1005(b).

July 9, 1952, ch. 608, § 254, 66 Stat. 496.

In subsection (a), the words “under * * * prescribed” are substituted for the words “in accordance * * * established”.

In subsection (b), the words “in rank” and “by that board” are inserted for clarity.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 103–337section 266 of this title1994— renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 97–22section 612(a)(3) of this titlesection 612(a)(3) of this title1981—Subsec. (a). substituted “Except as provided in and except for Boards that may be convened to select Reserves for appointment in the Regular Army, Regular Navy, Regular Air Force, or Regular Marine Corps, each board convened for the appointment, promotion, demotion, involuntary release from active duty, discharge, or retirement of Reserves shall include at least one member of the Reserves, with the exact number of Reserves determined by the Secretary concerned in his discretion” for “Except as provided in , each board convened for the appointment, promotion, demotion, involuntary release from active duty, discharge, or retirement of Reserves shall include an appropriate number of Reserves, as prescribed by the Secretary concerned under standards and policies prescribed by the Secretary of Defense”.

Pub. L. 96–513section 612(a)(3) of this title1980—Subsec. (a). substituted “Except as provided in , each” for “Each”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–513section 701 of Pub. L. 96–513section 101 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .