§ 12204. Commissioned officers: original appointment; limitation

• (a) No person may be appointed as a Reserve in a commissioned grade above major or lieutenant commander, unless—
  • (1) he was formerly a commissioned officer of an armed force; or
  • (2) such an appointment is recommended by a board of officers convened by the Secretary concerned.
• (b) This section does not apply to adjutants general and assistant adjutants general of the several States, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.