(a) Authorized Discharges.—The Secretary of the military department concerned may discharge any reserve officer who—(1) has less than six years of service in an active status as a commissioned officer; or
(2) is serving in the grade of second lieutenant or ensign and has been found not qualified for promotion to the grade of first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade).
(b) Time for Discharge.—(1) An officer described in subsection (a)(2)—(A) may be discharged at any time after being found not qualified for promotion; and
(B) if not sooner discharged, shall be discharged at the end of the 18-month period beginning on the date on which the officer is first found not qualified for promotion.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the officer is sooner promoted.
(c) Regulations.—Discharges under this section shall be made under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense and may be made without regard to section 12645 of this title.
Structure US Code
Subtitle E— Reserve Components
PART III— PROMOTION AND RETENTION OF OFFICERS ON THE RESERVE ACTIVE-STATUS LIST
CHAPTER 1407— FAILURE OF SELECTION FOR PROMOTION AND INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION
§ 14501. Failure of selection for promotion
§ 14502. Special selection boards: correction of errors
§ 14502a. Special selection review boards
§ 14510. Separation at age 62: brigadier generals and rear admirals (lower half)
§ 14511. Separation at age 64: officers in grade of major general or rear admiral and above
§ 14512. Separation at age 66: officers holding certain offices
§ 14513. Failure of selection for promotion: transfer, retirement, or discharge
§ 14514. Discharge or retirement for years of service or after selection for early removal
§ 14515. Discharge or retirement for age
§ 14516. Separation to be considered involuntary
§ 14517. Entitlement of officers discharged under this chapter to separation pay
§ 14518. Continuation of officers to complete disciplinary action
§ 14519. Deferment of retirement or separation for medical reasons