14 U.S.C. § 256 : US Code - Section 256: Promotion zones

Search 14 U.S.C. § 256 : US Code - Section 256: 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 six-tenths.
(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.