Pub. L. 83-773, tit. VI, sec. 603

Sec. 603. (a) The authorized number of officers in the Coast Guard Reserve in active status shall be six thousand. The actual number of Reserve officers in active status at any time shall not exceed these authorized numbers unless the Secretary shall determine that a greater number is necessary for planned mobilization requirements, or unless such excess shall result directly from the operation of mandatory provisions of this or other laws. (b) The authorized number of officers of the Coast Guard Reserve in active status in each of the grades below the grade of rear admiral shall be a percentage of the total number of such officers in active status below the grade of rear admiral, and shall be 0.6 per centum in the grade of captain, 3.5 per centum in the grade of commander, 25 per centum in the grade of lieutenant commander, 37 per centum in the grade of lieutenant, and 33.9 per centum in the combined grades of lieutenant (junior grade) and ensign, except that when the actual number of Coast Guard Reserve officers in active status in any grade is less than the number which is so authorized, the difference may be applied to increase the authorized number in any lower grade or grades. No Reserve officer shall be reduced in rank or grade solely because of a reduction in an authorized number provided in this subsection. The authorized number of Coast Guard Reserve officers in active status in the grade of rear admiral shall be two. (c) The Secretary may determine the number of Reserve officers in each grade who may be promoted annually under the provisions of this title. The number which shall be so determined for each grade shall be the number deemed to be necessary to provide equitable opportunity for promotion among succeeding groups of Reserve officers and an adequate continuing strength of Reserve officers in an active status, and shall not cause the number of Reserve officers in active status in any grade to exceed the number authorized in this section for that grade.