10 USC § 8384 - Promotion of retired members to higher enlisted grades: retention of grade upon release from active duty

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t10/s8384"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "10 USC § 8384 - Promotion of retired members to higher enlisted grades: retention of grade upon release from active duty"
title_number: 10
title_name: "ARMED FORCES"
section_number: "8384"
section_name: "Promotion of retired members to higher enlisted grades: retention of grade upon release from active duty"
chapter_number: 845
chapter_name: "RECALL TO ACTIVE DUTY"
part_number: "II"
part_name: "PERSONNEL"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 417, § 6484, renumbered § 8384, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(b)(17), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1836.)"
---


# § 8384. Promotion of retired members to higher enlisted grades: retention of grade upon release from active duty

When on active duty, retired enlisted members of the Navy or the Marine Corps are eligible for promotion to higher enlisted grades or ratings. When released from active duty, they shall, unless entitled to a higher grade under another provision of law, retain the grades or ratings they hold at the time of their release.

---

**Source Credit**: (Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 417, § 6484, renumbered § 8384, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(b)(17), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1836.)

| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 6484 | 34 U.S.C. 434. | July 1, 1918, ch. 114, 40 Stat. 719 (1st 9 lines of 2d par.). |

The words “who has been ordered into active service since ” are omitted as executed. The words “to higher enlisted grades or ratings” are inserted for clarity. The eligibility of retired enlisted men for appointments to warrant and commissioned grades is covered by chapter 539 of this title where the requirements for these appointments are set forth. The words “unless entitled to a higher grade under another provision of law” are inserted to make it clear that retired enlisted members are not precluded by this section from obtaining the benefits of other provisions of law that may give a higher grade to them on their release from active duty.

The provision relating to pay, allowances, and benefits is omitted because it was superseded by §§ 514 and 516 of the Career Compensation Act of 1949 ( and 316).

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2018— renumbered  as this section.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by  effective , with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see , set out as a note preceding .