§ 1253. Age 64: regular commissioned officers in general and flag officer grades; exception

(a)General Rule.— Unless retired or separated earlier, each regular commissioned officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps serving in a general or flag officer grade shall be retired on the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 64 years of age.

(b)Exception for Officers Serving in O–9 and O–10 Positions.— In the case of an officer serving in a position that carries a grade above major general or rear admiral, the retirement under subsection (a) of that officer may be deferred—

(1) by the President, but such a deferment may not extend beyond the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 68 years of age; or

(2) by the Secretary of Defense, but such a deferment may not extend beyond the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 66 years of age.

(Added Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, § 502(a), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2176.)