In the case of a covered general or flag officer who first became a member of a uniformed service before
September 8, 1980, and who is retired after
December 31, 2014, under any provision of law other than chapter 1223 of this title or is transferred to the Retired Reserve after
December 31, 2014, the retired pay base applicable to the computation of the retired pay of that officer shall be determined as provided in paragraph (2) if determination of such retired pay base as provided in that paragraph results in a higher retired pay base than determination of such retired pay base as otherwise provided by law (including the application of
section 203(a)(2) of title 37).