US Code

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

10 U.S.C. § 981

Limitation on number of enlisted aides

(a)
Subject to subsection (b), the total number of enlisted members that may be assigned or otherwise detailed to duty as enlisted aides on the personal staffs of officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard (when operating as a service of the Navy) during a fiscal year is the number equal to the sum of (1) four times the number of officers serving on active duty at the end of the preceding fiscal year in the grade of general or admiral, and (2) two times the number of officers serving on active duty at the end of the preceding fiscal year in the grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral.
(b)
Not more than 300 enlisted members may be assigned to duty at any time as enlisted aides for officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force.
(c)
Not later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report—
(1)
specifying the number of enlisted aides authorized and allocated for general officers and flag officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and joint pool as of September 30 of the previous year; and
(2)
justifying, on a billet-by-billet basis, the authorization and assignment of each enlisted aide to each general officer and flag officer position.

Pub. L. 98–525, title XIV, § 1401(c)(1)98 Stat. 2615Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title V, § 504(a)128 Stat. 3355Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, § 1741(b)(4)137 Stat. 680(Added , , ; amended , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 94–106, title VIII, § 820(a)89 Stat. 544Pub. L. 98–525Provisions similar to those in subsec. (a) of this section were contained in , , , prior to repeal by , §§ 1403(c), 1404, eff. .

Provisions similar to those in subsec. (b) of this section were contained in the following appropriation acts:

Pub. L. 98–473, title I, § 101(h)98 Stat. 1904 [title VIII, § 8034], , , 1930.

Pub. L. 98–212, title VII, § 74297 Stat. 1446, , .

Pub. L. 97–377, title I, § 101(c)96 Stat. 1833 [title VII, § 745], , , 1858.

Pub. L. 97–114, title VII, § 74695 Stat. 1586, , .

Pub. L. 96–527, title VII, § 74794 Stat. 3089, , .

Pub. L. 96–154, title VII, § 74893 Stat. 1160, , .

Pub. L. 95–457, title VIII, § 84892 Stat. 1252, , .

Pub. L. 95–111, title VIII, § 84991 Stat. 908, , .

Pub. L. 94–419, title VII, § 74890 Stat. 1299, , .

Pub. L. 94–212, title VII, § 74590 Stat. 175, , .

Pub. L. 93–437, title VIII, § 84888 Stat. 1232, , .

Amendments

Pub. L. 118–31, § 1741(b)(4)(A)2023—Subsec. (a). , substituted “Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force,” for “Marine Corps, Air Force,”.

Pub. L. 118–31, § 1741(b)(4)(B)Subsec. (b). , substituted “Marine Corps, and Space Force” for “and Marine Corps”.

Pub. L. 118–31, § 1741(b)(4)(C)Subsec. (c)(1). , inserted “Space Force,” after “Marine Corps,”.

Pub. L. 113–2912014—Subsec. (c). added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

section 1404 of Pub. L. 98–525section 520b of this titleSection effective , see , set out as a note under .

Termination of Reporting Requirements

section 1061 of Pub. L. 114–328section 111 of this titleFor termination, effective , of provisions in subsec. (c) of this section requiring submittal of annual report to Congress, see , set out as a note under .

Transfer of Functions

section 542 of Title 6For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of , as modified, set out as a note under .