When on active duty, retired enlisted members of the Navy or the Marine Corps are eligible for promotion to higher enlisted grades or ratings. When released from active duty, they shall, unless entitled to a higher grade under another provision of law, retain the grades or ratings they hold at the time of their release.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 417, § 6484, renumbered § 8384, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(b)(17), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1836.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
648434 U.S.C. 434.July 1, 1918, ch. 114, 40 Stat. 719 (1st 9 lines of 2d par.).
The words “who has been ordered into active service since April 6, 1917” are omitted as executed. The words “to higher enlisted grades or ratings” are inserted for clarity. The eligibility of retired enlisted men for appointments to warrant and commissioned grades is covered by chapter 539 of this title where the requirements for these appointments are set forth. The words “unless entitled to a higher grade under another provision of law” are inserted to make it clear that retired enlisted members are not precluded by this section from obtaining the benefits of other provisions of law that may give a higher grade to them on their release from active duty.
The provision relating to pay, allowances, and benefits is omitted because it was superseded by §§ 514 and 516 of the Career Compensation Act of 1949 (37 U.S.C. 314 and 316).
Editorial Notes
Amendments2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 6484 of this title as this section.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.