A prior section 305, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 518, provided for voluntary retirement after twenty years’ service, with retired pay of grade with which retired, prior to repeal by act May 29, 1954, ch. 249, § 20(o), 68 Stat. 167, and by Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

2021—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 116–283 added par. (4).

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, § 104(b), renumbered section 50 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–282, § 123(b)(2), substituted “section 306(d)” for “section 51(d)”.

2016—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–120, § 202(1)(A), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “The President may designate no more than 4 positions of importance and responsibility that shall be held by officers who—

“(A) while so serving, shall have the grade of vice admiral, with the pay and allowances of that grade; and

“(B) shall perform such duties as the Commandant may prescribe.”

Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 114–120, § 202(1)(B), substituted “under paragraph (1)(A)” for “under paragraph (1)”.

Subsec. (b)(2)(C), (D). Pub. L. 114–120, § 202(2), added subpar. (C) and redesignated former subpar. (C) as (D).

2010—Pub. L. 111–281, § 511(a), as amended by Pub. L. 111–330, amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section provided for the appointment of a Commander, Atlantic Area, and a Commander, Pacific Area, each having the grade of vice admiral with pay and allowances of that grade.

1993—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–206 substituted “The appointment and grade of an area commander shall be effective on the date the officer assumes that duty, and shall terminate on the date the officer is detached from that duty, except as provided in subsection 51(d) of this title.” for “The appointment of an area commander is effective on the date the officer assumes that duty, and terminates on the date he is detached from that duty.”

Pub. L. 111–330, § 1, Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3569, provided that the amendment made by section 1(5) is effective with the enactment of Pub. L. 111–281.

Section effective Oct. 2, 1972, except that continuation boards may not be held until one year there­after, see section 3 of Pub. L. 92–451, set out as an Effective Date of 1972 Amendment note under section 2151 of this title.

Pub. L. 111–281, title V, § 511(h)(1), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2953, provided that:

“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an officer who, on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 15, 2010], is serving as Chief of Staff, Commander, Atlantic Area, or Commander, Pacific Area—