Selection boards

§ 3297. Selection boards (a) Under such regulations as he may prescribe, the Secretary of the Army shall detail selection boards, to meet at times prescribed by him, to recommend promotion-list officers and brigadier generals of the Regular Army for promotion in the Regular Army. Each board shall be composed of at least five officers of the Regular Army who hold a regular or temporary grade above lieutenant colonel, and who are senior in regular grade to, and who outrank, any officer considered by that board. However, a selection board considering promotion-list officers of the Women’s Army Corps under section 3300 (a) or (b) of this title may include officers of the Regular Army in that corps whose regular or temporary grades are above major. (b) No selection board may serve longer than one year and no member may serve on two consecutive boards for promotions to the same grade, if the second board considers any officer considered but not recommended for promotion by the first. (c) Each member of a selection board must swear that he will perform his duties without prejudice or partiality, having in view the special fitness of officers and the efficiency of the Army. (d) Except as otherwise provided by law, promotion-list officers and brigadier generals of the Regular Army may be promoted to the regular grades of captain through major general only when recommended by a selection board. A recommendation for promotion must be made by the majority of the total membership of the board. (e) Not later than 10 days after a board first meets, any officer eligible for consideration by that board is entitled to send a letter, through official channels, calling attention to matters of record in the Department of the Army concerning himself that he considers important. The letter may not contain any reflection upon the character, conduct, or motives of any officer, or criticism of any officer.