Regular Navy: Nurse Corps

§ 5580. Regular Navy: Nurse Corps (a) Original appointments to the active list of the Navy in the Nurse Corps may be made from female persons who are at least 21 years of age on July 1 of the calendar year in which appointed and who have physical, mental, moral, educational, and professional qualifications satisfactory to the Secretary of the Navy. (b) A person appointed under this section shall be appointed in the grade of— (1) ensign, if she has not passed her twenty-seventh birthday on the date of nomination by the President and is not qualified for appointment as a lieutenant (junior grade) under clause (2); or (2) lieutenant (junior grade), if she is qualified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary and has not passed her thirtieth birthday on the date of nomination by the President. (c) The maximum ages specified in subsection (b) are increased by the period of active commissioned service performed after December 31, 1947. However, a maximum age is not so increased by more than five years.