Section 20238 - Establishment of promotion zones(a) IN GENERAL.-Before convening a selection board under section 20211 of this title to consider officers for promotion to any grade above first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade), the Secretary of the Air Force shall establish a promotion zone for officers serving in each grade and competitive category to be considered by the board.(b) DETERMINATION OF NUMBER.-The Secretary of the Air Force shall determine the number of officers in the promotion zone for officers serving in any grade and competitive category from among officers who are eligible for promotion in that grade and competitive category. Such determination shall be made on the basis of an estimate of-(1) the number of officers needed in that competitive category in the next higher grade in each of the next five years;(2) the number of officers to be serving in that competitive category in the next higher grade in each of the next five years;(3) in the case of a promotion zone for officers to be promoted to a grade to which section 523 of this title is applicable, the number of officers authorized for such grade under such section to be on sustained duty on the last day of each of the next five fiscal years; and(4) the number of officers that should be placed in that promotion zone in each of the next five years to provide to officers in those years relatively similar opportunity for promotion.Added Pub. L. 118-31, div. A, title XVII, §1716(c), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 645. - grade
- The term "grade" means a step or degree, in a graduated scale of office or military rank, that is established and designated as a grade by law or regulation.
- sustained duty
- The term "sustained duty" means full-time duty by a member of the Space Force ordered to such duty by an authority designated by the Secretary of the Air Force-(A) in the case of an officer-(i) to fulfill the terms of an active-duty service commitment incurred by the officer under any provision of law; or(ii) with the consent of the officer; and(B) in the case of an enlisted member, with the consent of the enlisted member as specified in the terms of the member's enlistment or reenlistment agreement.