AUTHORITY TO DEFER UNTIL AGE 68 MANDATORY RETIREMENT FOR AGE OF A GENERAL OR FLAG OFFICER SERVING AS CHIEF OR DEPUTY CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS OF THE ARMY, NAVY, OR AIR FORCE.

SEC. 504. AUTHORITY TO DEFER UNTIL AGE 68 MANDATORY RETIREMENT FOR AGE OF A GENERAL OR FLAG OFFICER SERVING AS CHIEF OR DEPUTY CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS OF THE ARMY, NAVY, OR AIR FORCE. (a) Deferral Authority.—Section 1253 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: “(c) Deferred Retirement of Chaplains.—(1) The Secretary of the military department concerned may defer the retirement under subsection (a) of an officer serving in a general or flag officer grade who is the Chief of Chaplains or Deputy Chief of Chaplains of that officer’s armed force. “(2) A deferment of the retirement of an officer referred to in paragraph (1) may not extend beyond the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 68 years of age. “(3) The authority to defer the retirement of an officer referred to in paragraph (1) expires December 31, 2020. Subject to paragraph (2), a deferment granted before that date may continue on and after that date.” . (b) Clerical Amendments.— (1) Section heading.—The heading of section 1253 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “SEC. 1253. Age 64: regular commissioned officers in general and flag officer grades; exceptions” . (2) [10 U.S.C. 1251] Table of sections.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 63 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 1253 and inserting the following new item: “1253. Age 64: regular commissioned officers in general and flag officer grades; exceptions.” .