10 U.S.C. § 615 (ARMED FORCES)
§ 615. Information furnished to selection boards
(a)
(1) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations governing information furnished to selection boards convened under section 611(a) or 20211 of this title. Those regulations shall apply uniformly among the military departments. Any regulations prescribed by the Secretary of a military department to supplement those regulations may not take effect without the approval of the Secretary of Defense in writing.
(2) No information concerning a particular eligible officer may be furnished to a selection board except for the following:
(A) Information that is in the officer’s official military personnel file and that is provided to the selection board in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to paragraph (1).
(B) Other information that is determined by the Secretary of the military department concerned, after review by that Secretary in accordance with standards and procedures set out in the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to paragraph (1), to be substantiated, relevant information that could reasonably and materially affect the deliberations of the selection board.
(C) Subject to such limitations as may be prescribed in those regulations, information communicated to the board by the officer in accordance with this section, section 614(b) of this title (including any comment on information referred to in subparagraph (A) regarding that officer), or other applicable law.
(D) A factual summary of the information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) that, in accordance with the regulations prescribed pursuant to paragraph (1), is prepared by administrative personnel for the purpose of facilitating the work of the selection board.
(3)
(A) In the case of an eligible officer considered for promotion to a grade specified in subparagraph (B), any credible information of an adverse nature, including any substantiated adverse finding or conclusion from an officially documented investigation or inquiry, shall be furnished to the selection board in accordance with standards and procedures set out in the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to paragraph (1).
(B) A grade specified in this subparagraph is as follows:
(i) In the case of a regular officer or an officer in the Space Force, a grade above captain or, in the case of the Navy, lieutenant.
(ii) In the case of a reserve officer, a grade above lieutenant colonel or, in the case of the Navy, commander.
(C) The standards and procedures referred to in subparagraph (A) shall require the furnishing to the selection board, and to each individual member of the board, the information described in that subparagraph with regard to an officer in a grade specified in subparagraph (B) at each stage or phase of the selection board, concurrent with the screening, rating, assessment, evaluation, discussion, or other consideration by the board or member of the official military personnel file of the officer, or of the officer.
(D) With respect to the consideration of an officer for promotion to a grade at or below major general or in the case of the Navy, rear admiral, the requirements in subparagraphs (A) and (C) may be met through the convening and actions of a special selection review board with respect to the officer under section 628a of this title.
(4) Information provided to a selection board in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be made available to all members of the board and shall be made a part of the record of the board. Communication of such information shall be in a written form or in the form of an audio or video recording. If a communication is in the form of an audio or video recording, a written transcription of the recording shall also be made a part of the record of the selection board.
(5) Paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) do not apply to the furnishing of appropriate administrative processing information to the selection board by administrative staff designated to assist the board, but only to the extent that oral communications are necessary to facilitate the work of the board.
(6) Information furnished to a selection board that is described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (2), or in paragraph (3), may not be furnished to a later selection board unless—
(A) the information has been properly placed in the official military personnel file of the officer concerned; or
(B) the information is provided to the later selection board in accordance with paragraph (2) or (3), as applicable.
(7)
(A) Before information described in paragraph (2)(B) or (3) regarding an eligible officer is furnished to a selection board, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall ensure—
(i) that such information is made available to such officer; and
(ii) that the officer is afforded a reasonable opportunity to submit comments on that information to the selection board.
(B) If an officer cannot be given access to the information referred to in subparagraph (A) because of its classification status, the officer shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be furnished with an appropriate summary of the information.
(b) The Secretary of the military department concerned shall furnish each selection board convened under section 611(a) of this title with—
(1) the maximum number, as determined in accordance with section 622 of this title, of officers in each competitive category under consideration that the board may recommend for promotion to the next higher grade;
(2) the names of all officers in each competitive category to be considered by the board for promotion;
(3) the pertinent records (as determined by the Secretary) of each officer whose name is furnished to the board;
(4) information or guidelines relating to the needs of the armed force concerned for officers having particular skills, including guidelines or information relating to the need for either a minimum number or a maximum number of officers with particular skills within a competitive category;
(5) guidelines, based upon guidelines received by the Secretary from the Secretary of Defense under subsection (c), for the purpose of ensuring that the board gives appropriate consideration to the performance of officers who are serving on, or have served on, the Joint Staff or are joint qualified officers; and
(6) such other information and guidelines as may be necessary to enable the board to properly perform its functions.
(c) The Secretary of Defense, with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shall furnish to the Secretaries of the military departments guidelines for the purpose of ensuring that each selection board convened under section 611(a) of this title gives appropriate consideration to the performance of officers who are serving on, or have served on, the Joint Staff or are joint qualified officers.
(d) Information or guidelines furnished to a selection board under subsection (b) may not be modified, withdrawn, or supplemented after the board submits the report to the Secretary of the military department concerned pursuant to section 617(a) of this title, except that, in the case of a report returned to a board pursuant to section 618(a)(2) of this title for further proceedings because of a determination by the Secretary of the military department concerned that the board acted contrary to law, regulation, or guidelines, the Secretary may modify, withdraw, or supplement such information or guidelines as part of a written explanation to the board as provided in that section.
(e) The Secretary of each military department, under uniform regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, shall include in guidelines furnished to a selection board convened under section 611(a) of this title that is considering officers in a health-professions competitive category for promotion to a grade below colonel or, in the case of the Navy, captain, a direction that the board give consideration to an officer’s clinical proficiency and skill as a health professional to at least as great an extent as the board gives to the officer’s administrative and management skills.
(Added Pub. L. 96–513, title I, § 105, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2852; amended Pub. L. 99–433, title IV, § 402(b), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1030; Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title V, § 501(a), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 1965; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title V, § 519, Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1444; Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title V, § 504(a)(1), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1355; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title X, § 1052(7), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2499; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, § 506(a), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3227; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title V, § 522(b), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4215; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, § 502(a), (b), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1344; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, § 505(c)(1), (2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3572; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, § 1722(b)(2), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 668.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2023—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1722(b)(2)(A), inserted “or 20211” after “section 611(a)”.
Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1722(b)(2)(B)(i), which directed amendment of subpar. (B) by substituting “regular officer or an officer in the Space Force, a grade above captain or, in the case of the Navy, lieutenant.” for “ ‘regular officer’ and all that follows”, was executed only through the end of cl. (i) of subpar. (B) by making the substitution for “regular officer, a grade above captain, in the case of the Navy, lieutenant, or in the case of the Space Force, the equivalent grade.” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (a)(3)(D). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1722(b)(2)(B)(ii), substituted “major general or” for “major general,” and struck out “or, in the case of the Space Force, the equivalent grade,” after “rear admiral,”.
2021—Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 116–283, § 505(c)(1), substituted “, in the case of the Navy, lieutenant, or in the case of the Space Force, the equivalent grade” for “or, in the case of the Navy, lieutenant”.
Subsec. (a)(3)(D). Pub. L. 116–283, § 505(c)(2), added subpar. (D).
2019—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 116–92 designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), substituted “a grade specified in subparagraph (B)” for “a grade above colonel or, in the case of the Navy, captain”, and added subpars. (B) and (C).
2011—Subsecs. (b)(5), (c). Pub. L. 111–383 substituted “of officers who are serving on, or have served on, the Joint Staff or are joint qualified officers” for “in joint duty assignments of officers who are serving, or have served, in such assignments”.
2006—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–163, § 506(a)(1)(B), added par. (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 109–163, § 506(a)(2)(A), substituted “paragraphs (2) and (3)” for “paragraph (2)”.
Pub. L. 109–163, § 506(a)(1)(A), redesignated par. (3) as (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 109–163, § 506(a)(2)(B), substituted “, (3), and (4)” for “and (3)”.
Pub. L. 109–163, § 506(a)(1)(A), redesignated par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 109–163, § 506(a)(2)(C)(i), inserted “, or in paragraph (3),” after “paragraph (2)” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 109–163, § 506(a)(1)(A), redesignated par. (5) as (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (7).
Subsec. (a)(6)(B). Pub. L. 109–163, § 506(a)(2)(C)(ii), inserted “or (3), as applicable” before period at end.
Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 109–163, § 506(a)(1)(A), redesignated par. (6) as (7).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A). Pub. L. 109–163, § 506(a)(2)(D), inserted “or (3)” after “paragraph (2)(B)” in introductory provisions.
1992—Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 102–484, § 1052(7)(A), substituted “subsection (c)” for “subsection (b)”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–484, § 1052(7)(B), substituted “subsection (b)” for “subsection (a)”.
1991—Pub. L. 102–190 added subsec. (a) and redesignated former subsecs. (a) to (d) as (b) to (e), respectively.
1989—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–189 added subsec. (d).
1988—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 100–456, § 501(a)(1), added cl. (4) and struck out former cl. (4) which read as follows: “information relating to the needs of the armed force concerned for officers having particular skills;”.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–456, § 501(a)(2), added subsec. (c).
1986—Pub. L. 99–433 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), added par. (5), redesignated former par. (5) as (6), and added subsec. (b).
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2019 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, § 502(c), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1344, as amended by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, § 505(c)(3), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3572, provided that:
“(1) Effective date.—
The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on December 20, 2019, and shall, except as provided in paragraph (2), apply with respect to the proceedings of promotion selection boards convened under section 611(a) of title 10, United States Code, after that date.
“(2) Delayed applicability for boards for promotion to non-general and flag officer grades.—
The amendments made this section shall apply with respect to the proceedings of promotion selection boards convened under section 611(a) of title 10, United States Code, for consideration of officers for promotion to a grade below the grade of brigadier general or, in the case of the Navy, rear admiral (lower half), only if such boards are so convened after January 1, 2021.”
heading: Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, § 506(c), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3228, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 14107 of this title] shall take effect on October 1, 2006, and shall apply with respect to promotion selection boards convened on or after that date.”
heading: Effective Date of 1991 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title V, § 504(e), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1358, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 614, 616, 618, and 619 of this title] shall apply to selection boards convened under section 611(a) of title 10, United States Code, after the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 5, 1991].”
heading: Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title V, § 501(e), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 1966, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 616 to 618 of this title] shall take effect 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 29, 1988] and shall apply with respect to selection boards convened under section 611(a) of title 10, United States Code, on or after that effective date.”
heading: Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 99–433 effective with respect to selection boards convened under section 611(a) of this title after end of 120-day period beginning on Oct. 1, 1986, see section 406(f) of Pub. L. 99–433, set out as a note under section 612 of this title.
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective Sept. 15, 1981, but the authority to prescribe regulations under this section effective on Dec. 12, 1980, see section 701 of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as an Effective Date of 1980 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.
heading: Pilot Program on Peer and Subordinate Assessments of Certain Officers
text: Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title V, § 509F, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1874, provided that:
“(a) Establishment.—
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2024], the Secretary concerned shall implement, in a covered Armed Force, a five-year pilot program, pursuant to which—
“(1) an officer described in subsection (b) shall be assessed by peers and subordinates; and
“(2) the results of such assessments may be available to a command selection or command qualification board concerned; and
“(3) the command selection or command qualification board may consider such results in determining whether to recommend such officer for such selection or qualification.
“(b) Covered Officers.—
An officer described in this subsection is a regular officer—
“(1) eligible for consideration for command;
“(2) in grade O-5 or O-6; and
“(3) in a career field—
“(A) specified in subsection (c); or
“(B) determined by the Secretary concerned.
“(c) Covered Career Fields.—
The career fields specified in this subsection are the following:
“(1) In the Navy, surface warfare, submarine warfare, special warfare, or explosive ordnance disposal.
“(2) In the Marine Corps, infantry, logistics, or field artillery.
“(3) In the Air Force, operations or logistics.
“(4) In the Space Force, space operations.
“(d) Selection of Assessors.—
The Secretary concerned may select an individual to assess an officer under the pilot program if the Secretary determines such individual has worked with the officer closely enough to have an informed opinion regarding the officer’s leadership abilities. An officer may not have any input regarding the selection of an individual who shall assess such officer.
“(e) Report.—
Not later than three months after the termination of a pilot program, a Secretary concerned shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and Senate a report regarding the pilot program. Elements of each such report shall include the following:
“(1) The determination of the Secretary concerned whether the pilot program improved the command selection or command qualification process of the covered Armed Force.
“(2) The rationale and findings of the Secretary concerned in determining whether to use such assessments in the command selection or command qualification process of such covered Armed Force.
“(f) Definitions.—
In this section:
“(1) The term ‘covered Armed Force’ means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force.
“(2) The terms ‘regular’ and ‘Secretary concerned’ have the meanings given such term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.”
heading: Exclusion of Official Photographs of Members From Records Furnished to Promotion Selection Boards
text: Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, § 524(a)–(c), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3599, provided that:
“(a) Active Duty Officers.—
The Secretary of Defense shall include in the regulations prescribed pursuant to section 615(a) of title 10, United States Code, a prohibition on the inclusion of an official photograph of an officer in the information furnished to a selection board pursuant to section 615(b) of such title.
“(b) Reserve Officers.—
The Secretary of Defense shall include in regulations prescribed pursuant to section 14107(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, a prohibition on the inclusion of an official photograph of an officer in the information furnished to a selection board pursuant to section 14107(a)(2) of such title.
“(c) Enlisted Members.—
Each Secretary of a military department shall prescribe regulations that prohibit the inclusion of an official photograph of an enlisted member in the information furnished to a board that considers enlisted members under the jurisdiction of such Secretary for promotion.”