unit vacancy—promotion to captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel—special promotion of second lieutenants and first lieutenants

unit vacancy—promotion to captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel—special promotion of second lieutenants and first lieutenants Sec. 317. (a) The Secretary may appoint and convene a selection board to consider and recommend officers of a unit of the Army Reserve for promotion to fill a vacancy in that unit within the numbers authorized for that unit pursuant to section 307 (a) in the grade of captain, major, lieutenant colonel, or colonel. (b) The convening officer under subsection (a) shall place the name of each officer assigned to the unit who is eligible under sections 303 (c) and 306 (b) and by reason of geographical availability for consideration for promotion to fill the vacancy, on a zone of consideration list and refer it to the selection board for consideration. The convening officer may also place on such list for consideration for promotion to the next higher grade the name of any officer in the grade of second lieutenant or first lieutenant who has served creditably in a unit vacancy prescribed for a captain for twelve months or more, without regard to the requirements of section 306, provided the officer has not previously been promoted under this provision. The selection board shall recommend the officer deemed best qualified to fill the vacancy. An officer recommended by the board may be immediately promoted to fill the unit vacancy for which considered.