
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 10USC523]

 
                         TITLE 10--ARMED FORCES
 
                    Subtitle A--General Military Law
 
                           PART II--PERSONNEL
 
         CHAPTER 32--OFFICER STRENGTH AND DISTRIBUTION IN GRADE
 
Sec. 523. Authorized strengths: commissioned officers on active 
        duty in grades of major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel and 
        Navy grades of lieutenant commander, commander, and captain
        
    (a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (c), of the total number of 
commissioned officers serving on active duty in the Army, Air Force, or 
Marine Corps at the end of any fiscal year (excluding officers in 
categories specified in subsection (b)), the number of officers who may 
be serving on active duty in each of the grades of major, lieutenant 
colonel, and colonel may not, as of the end of such fiscal year, exceed 
a number determined in accordance with the following table:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
                                                                     Number of 
officers who may be serving on
                                                                           acti
ve duty in the grade of:
  Total number of commissioned officers (excluding officers in   --------------
---------------------------------
     categories specified in subsection (b)) on active duty:                   
     Lieutenant
                                                                       Major   
       Colonel         Colonel
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
Army:
  20,000........................................................           6,84
8           5,253        1,613
  25,000........................................................           7,53
9           5,642        1,796
  30,000........................................................           8,23
1           6,030        1,980
  35,000........................................................           8,92
2           6,419        2,163
  40,000........................................................           9,61
4           6,807        2,347
  45,000........................................................          10,30
5           7,196        2,530
  50,000........................................................          10,99
7           7,584        2,713
  55,000........................................................          11,68
8           7,973        2,897
  60,000........................................................          12,38
0           8,361        3,080
  65,000........................................................          13,07
1           8,750        3,264
  70,000........................................................          13,76
3           9,138        3,447
  75,000........................................................          14,45
4           9,527        3,631
  80,000........................................................          15,14
6           9,915        3,814
  85,000........................................................          15,83
7          10,304        3,997
  90,000........................................................          16,52
9          10,692        4,181
  95,000........................................................          17,22
0          11,081        4,364
  100,000.......................................................          17,91
2          11,469        4,548
  110,000.......................................................          19,29
5          12,246        4,915
  120,000.......................................................          20,67
8          13,023        5,281
  130,000.......................................................          22,06
1          13,800        5,648
  170,000.......................................................          27,59
3          16,908        7,116
Air Force:
  35,000........................................................           9,21
6           7,090        2,125
  40,000........................................................          10,02
5           7,478        2,306
  45,000........................................................          10,83
5           7,866        2,487
  50,000........................................................          11,64
5           8,253        2,668
  55,000........................................................          12,45
4           8,641        2,849
  60,000........................................................          13,26
4           9,029        3,030
  65,000........................................................          14,07
3           9,417        3,211
  70,000........................................................          14,88
3           9,805        3,392
  75,000........................................................          15,69
3          10,193        3,573
  80,000........................................................          16,50
2          10,582        3,754
  85,000........................................................          17,31
2          10,971        3,935
  90,000........................................................          18,12
1          11,360        4,115
  95,000........................................................          18,93
1          11,749        4,296
  100,000.......................................................          19,74
1          12,138        4,477
  105,000.......................................................          20,55
0          12,527        4,658
  110,000.......................................................          21,36
0          12,915        4,838
  115,000.......................................................          22,16
9          13,304        5,019
  120,000.......................................................          22,97
9          13,692        5,200
  125,000.......................................................          23,78
9          14,081        5,381
Marine Corps:
  10,000........................................................           2,52
5           1,480          571
  12,500........................................................           2,90
0           1,600          592
  15,000........................................................           3,27
5           1,720          613
  17,500........................................................           3,65
0           1,840          633
  20,000........................................................           4,02
5           1,960          654
  22,500........................................................           4,40
0           2,080          675
  25,000........................................................           4,77
5           2,200          695.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    (2) Except as provided in subsection (c), of the total number of 
commissioned officers serving on active duty in the Navy at the end of 
any fiscal year (excluding officers in categories specified in 
subsection (b)), the number of officers who may be serving on active 
duty in each of the grades of lieutenant commander, commander, and 
captain may not, as of the end of such fiscal year, exceed a number 
determined in accordance with the following table:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
                                                                     Number of 
officers who may be serving on
                                                                             ac
tive duty in grade of:
  Total number of commissioned officers (excluding officers in   --------------
---------------------------------
     categories specified in subsection (b)) on active duty:        Lieutenant
                                                                     commander 
      Commander        Captain
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
Navy:
  30,000........................................................           7,33
1           5,018        2,116
  33,000........................................................           7,79
9           5,239        2,223
  36,000........................................................           8,26
7           5,460        2,330
  39,000........................................................           8,73
5           5,681        2,437
  42,000........................................................           9,20
3           5,902        2,544
  45,000........................................................           9,67
1           6,123        2,651
  48,000........................................................          10,13
9           6,343        2,758
  51,000........................................................          10,60
6           6,561        2,864
  54,000........................................................          11,07
4           6,782        2,971
  57,000........................................................          11,54
1           7,002        3,078
  60,000........................................................          12,00
9           7,222        3,185
  63,000........................................................          12,47
6           7,441        3,292
  66,000........................................................          12,94
4           7,661        3,398
  70,000........................................................          13,56
7           7,954        3,541
  90,000........................................................          16,68
3           9,419        4,254.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    (3) If the total number of commissioned officers serving on active 
duty in an armed force (excluding officers in categories specified in 
subsection (b)) is between any two consecutive figures listed in the 
first column of the appropriate table in paragraph (1) or (2), the 
corresponding authorized strengths for each of the grades shown in that 
table for that armed force are determined by mathematical interpolation 
between the respective numbers of the two strengths. If the total number 
of commissioned officers serving on active duty in an armed force 
(excluding officers in categories specified in subsection (b)) is 
greater or less than the figures listed in the first column of the 
appropriate table in paragraph (1) or (2), the Secretary concerned shall 
fix the corresponding strengths for the grades shown in that table in 
the same proportion as reflected in the nearest limit shown in the 
table.
    (b) Officers in the following categories shall be excluded in 
computing and determining authorized strengths under this section:
        (1) Reserve officers--
            (A) on active duty for training;
            (B) on active duty under section 10211, 10302 through 10305, 
        or 12402 of this title or under section 708 of title 32;
            (C) on active duty under section 12301(d) of this title in 
        connection with organizing, administering, recruiting, 
        instructing, or training the reserve components;
            (D) on active duty to pursue special work;
            (E) ordered to active duty under section 12304 of this 
        title; or
            (F) on full-time National Guard duty.

        (2) General and flag officers.
        (3) Medical officers.
        (4) Dental officers.
        (5) Warrant officers.
        (6) Retired officers on active duty under a call or order to 
    active duty for 180 days or less.
        (7) Reserve or retired officers on active duty under section 
    10(b)(2) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 
    460(b)(2)) for the administration of the Selective Service System.

    (c) Whenever the number of officers serving in any grade is less 
than the number authorized for that grade under this section, the 
difference between the two numbers may be applied to increase the number 
authorized under this section for any lower grade.
    (d) An officer may not be reduced in grade, or have his pay or 
allowances reduced, because of a reduction in the number of commissioned 
officers authorized for his grade under this section.

(Added Pub. L. 96-513, title I, Sec. 103, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2842; 
amended Pub. L. 98-525, title IV, Sec. 414(a)(3), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 
Stat. 2518; Pub. L. 99-145, title V, Sec. 511(a), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 
623; Pub. L. 99-433, title V, Sec. 531(a)(1), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 
1063; Pub. L. 102-190, div. A, title IV, Sec. 431, Dec. 5, 1991, 105 
Stat. 1354; Pub. L. 103-337, div. A, title XVI, Sec. 1673(c)(3), Oct. 5, 
1994, 108 Stat. 3014; Pub. L. 104-201, div. A, title IV, Sec. 403(a), 
(b), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2504, 2505.)


                               Amendments

    1996--Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 104-201, Sec. 403(a), amended table 
generally, expanding the range of numbers of commissioned officers 
covered and extensively revising the numbers in each grade covered.
    Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 104-201, Sec. 403(b), amended table 
generally, expanding the range of numbers of commissioned officers 
covered and extensively revising the numbers in each grade covered.
    1994--Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 103-337, Sec. 1671(c)(3)(A), 
substituted ``10211, 10302 through 10305, or 12402'' for ``265, 3021, 
3496, 5251, 5252, 8021, or 8496''.
    Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 103-337, Sec. 1671(c)(3)(B), substituted 
``12301(d)'' for ``672(d)''.
    Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 103-337, Sec. 1671(c)(3)(C), substituted 
``12304'' for ``673b''.
    1991--Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 102-190, in table, decreased numbers 
of officers authorized to serve on active duty in the Air Force in the 
grade of Colonel to 3,392, 3,573, 3,754, 3,935, 4,115, 4,296, 4,477, 
4,658, 4,838, 5,019, 5,200, and 5,381 from 3,642, 3,823, 4,004, 4,185, 
4,365, 4,546, 4,727, 4,908, 5,088, 5,269, 5,450, and 5,631, 
respectively.
    1986--Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 99-433 substituted ``3021'' and 
``8021'' for ``3033'' and ``8033'', respectively.
    1985--Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99-145 increased fiscal year 
limitation on authorized number of Marine Corps majors to 2,766, 3,085, 
3,404, 3,723, and 4,042 from 2,717, 2,936, 3,154, 3,373, and 3,591, 
respectively.
    1984--Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 98-525, Sec. 414(a)(3)(A), struck 
out ``or section 502 or 503 of title 32'' after ``section 672(d) of this 
title''.
    Subsec. (b)(1)(F). Pub. L. 98-525, Sec. 414(a)(3)(B)-(D), added 
subpar. (F).


                    Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

    Section 403(d) of Pub. L. 104-201 provided that: ``The amendments 
made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) [amending this section and 
repealing provisions set out as notes below] shall take effect on 
September 1, 1997.''


                    Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

    Amendment by Pub. L. 103-337 effective Dec. 1, 1994, except as 
otherwise provided, see section 1691 of Pub. L. 103-337, set out as an 
Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title.


                    Effective Date of 1985 Amendment

    Section 511(b) of Pub. L. 99-145 provided that: ``The amendments 
made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on 
October 1, 1985.''


  Temporary Variation in DOPMA Authorized End Strength Limitations for 
        Active Duty Air Force and Navy Officers in Certain Grades

    Pub. L. 104-106, div. A, title IV, Sec. 402, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 
Stat. 286, provided that the numbers of officers of the Air Force 
authorized under subsec. (a)(1) of this section to be serving on active 
duty in the grades of major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel for fiscal 
years 1996 and 1997 and the numbers of officers in the Navy authorized 
under subsec. (a)(2) of this section to be serving on active duty in the 
grades of lieutenant commander, commander, and captain for fiscal years 
1996 and 1997 were limited to numbers in tables, prior to repeal by Pub. 
L. 104-201, div. A, title IV, Sec. 403(c)(3), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 
2506.


  Temporary Variation of End Strength Limitations for Army Majors and 
                           Lieutenant Colonels

    Section 402 of Pub. L. 103-337 provided that number of officers of 
the Army authorized under subsec. (a)(1) of this section to be serving 
on active duty in grades of major and lieutenant colonel for fiscal 
years 1995 through 1997 was limited to numbers set forth in table prior 
to repeal by Pub. L. 104-201, div. A, title IV, Sec. 403(c)(2), Sept. 
23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2506.


Temporary Variation of End Strength Limitations for Marine Corps Majors 
                         and Lieutenant Colonels

    Pub. L. 103-160, div. A, title IV, Sec. 402, Nov. 30, 1993, 107 
Stat. 1639, as amended by Pub. L. 103-337, div. A, title IV, Sec. 403, 
Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2743, provided that number of officers of the 
Marine Corps authorized under subsec. (a)(1) of this section to be 
serving on active duty in grades of major and lieutenant colonel for 
fiscal years 1994 through 1997 was limited to numbers set forth in table 
prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104-201, div. A, title IV, Sec. 403(c)(1), 
Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2505.


             Temporary Increase in Officer Grade Limitations

    Pub. L. 101-189, div. A, title IV, Sec. 403, Nov. 29, 1989, 103 
Stat. 1431, authorized the Secretary of Defense, until Sept. 30, 1991, 
to increase the strength-in-grade limitations specified in subsec. (a) 
of this section by a total of 250 positions, to be distributed among 
grades and services as the Secretary considers appropriate and directed 
the Secretary to submit to Congress a comprehensive report on the 
adequacy of the strength-in-grade limitations prescribed in subsec. (a) 
of this section.


           Temporary Reduction in Number of Air Force Colonels

    Pub. L. 101-189, div. A, title IV, Sec. 402, Nov. 29, 1989, 103 
Stat. 1431, as amended by Pub. L. 101-510, div. A, title IV, Sec. 404, 
Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1545, provided that the number of officers 
authorized under subsec. (a) of this section to be serving on active 
duty in the Air Force in the grade of colonel during fiscal year 1992 
was reduced by 250.
    Pub. L. 100-456, div. A, title IV, Sec. 403, Sept. 29, 1988, 102 
Stat. 1963, provided that the number of officers authorized under this 
section to be serving on active duty in the Air Force in the grade of 
colonel during fiscal year 1989 was reduced by 125, and the number of 
such officers authorized to be serving on active duty during fiscal year 
1990 was reduced by 250.


            Ceilings on Commissioned Officers on Active Duty

    Pub. L. 95-79, title VIII, Sec. 811(a), July 30, 1977, 91 Stat. 335, 
as amended by Pub. L. 96-107, title VIII, Sec. 817, Nov. 9, 1979, 93 
Stat. 818; Pub. L. 96-342, title X, Sec. 1003, Sept. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 
1120; Pub. L. 97-86, title VI, Sec. 602, Dec. 1, 1981, 95 Stat. 1110, 
which provided that after Oct. 1, 1981, the total number of commissioned 
officers on active duty in the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps above 
the grade of colonel, and on active duty in the Navy above the grade of 
captain, could not exceed 1,073, and that in time of war, or of national 
emergency declared by Congress, the President could suspend the 
operation of this provision, was repealed and restated in section 526 of 
this title by Pub. L. 100-370, Sec. 1(b)(1)(B), (4).


  Transition Provisions Under Defense Officer Personnel Management Act

    For provisions increasing for the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30, 
1981, the maximum number of officers authorized by this section to be 
serving on active duty, see section 627 of Pub. L. 96-513, set out as a 
note under section 611 of this title.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 168, 517, 527, 623, 777, 
5721, 12011, 12012 of this title.
