§ 305. Vice admirals

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1. 1972

   Pub. L. 92–451 § 1(5) · 86 Stat. 755

   Enacted · 14 U.S.C. § 305

   Added Pub. L. 92–451, § 1(5), Oct. 2, 1972, 86 Stat. 755, § 50

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Added Pub. L. 92–451, § 1(5), Oct. 2, 1972, 86 Stat. 755, § 50

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (1) The first sentence of section 41 is amended by striking out “a 70A Stat. 620. vice admiral” and inserting in lieu thereof “vice admirals”.

2. 1993

   Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1993

   Pub. L. 103–206 title II § 204(c) · 107 Stat. 2419

   Substituted · 14 U.S.C. § 305(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.”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   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.”

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (c) Section 50(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the last sentence and inserting “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.”.

3. 2010

   Coast Guard Modernization Act of 2010

   Pub. L. 111–281 § 511(a) · 124 Stat. 2905

   1. Amended · 14 U.S.C. § 305

      Pub. L. 111–281, § 511(a), as amended by Pub. L. 111–330

   2. Amended · 14 U.S.C. § 305

      Pub. L. 111–281, § 511(a), as 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

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   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.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) Vice Admirals.— Section 50 of such title is amended to read as follows: “§ 50. Vice admirals “(a) (1) 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. “(2) The President may appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and reappoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to any such position an officer of the Coast Guard who is serving on active duty above the grade of captain. The Commandant shall make recommendations for such appointments. “(3) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), one of the vice admirals designated under paragraph (1) must have at least 10 years experience in vessel inspection, marine casualty investigations, mariner licensing, or an equivalent technical expertise in the design and construction of commercial vessels, with at least 4 years of leadership experience at a staff or unit carrying out marine safety functions and shall serve as the principal advisor to the Commandant on these issues. “(B) The requirements of subparagraph (A) do not apply to such vice admiral if the subordinate officer serving in the grade of rear admiral with responsibilities for marine safety, security, and stewrdship possesses that experience. “(b) (1) The Effective date. Termination date. appointment and the grade of vice admiral shall be effective on the date the officer assumes that duty and, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection or in section 51(d) of this title, shall terminate on the date the officer is detached from that duty. “(2) An officer who is appointed to a position designated under subsection (a) shall continue to hold the grade of vice admiral— “(A) while under orders transferring the officer to another position designated under subsection (a), beginning on the date the officer is detached from that duty and terminating on the date before the day the officer assumes the subsequent duty, but not for more than 60 days; “(B) while hospitalized, beginning on the day of the hospitalization and ending on the day the officer is discharged from the hospital, but not for more than 180 days; and “(C) while awaiting retirement, beginning on the date the officer is detached from duty and ending on the day before the officer’s retirement, but not for more than 60 days. “(c) (1) An appointment of an officer under subsection (a) does not vacate the permanent grade held by the officer. “(2) An officer serving in a grade above rear admiral who holds the permanent grade of rear admiral (lower half) shall be considered for promotion to the permanent grade of rear admiral as if the officer was serving in the officer’s permanent grade. “(d) Whenever a vacancy occurs in a position designated under subsection (a), the Commandant shall inform the President of the qualifications needed by an officer serving in that position or office to carry out effectively the duties and responsibilities of that position or office.” .

   Effective date note
   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.

4. 2016

   Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015

   Pub. L. 114–120 § 202(1)(A) · 130 Stat. 27

   1. Added · 14 U.S.C. § 305(a)(1)

      Pub. L. 114–120, § 202(1)(A), added par. (1)

   2. Struck · 14 U.S.C. § 305(a)(1)

      Pub. L. 114–120, § 202(1)(A), 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—

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   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.”

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: “(1) President. The President may— “(A) designate, within the Coast Guard, no more than five positions of importance and responsibility that shall be held by officers who, while so serving— “(i) shall have the grade of vice admiral, with the pay and allowances of that grade; and “(ii) shall perform such duties as the Commandant may prescribe, except that if the President designates five such positions, one position shall be the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard; and “(B) designate, within the executive branch, other than within the Coast Guard or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, positions of importance and responsibility that shall be held by officers who, while so serving, shall have the grade of vice admiral, with the pay and allowances of that grade.” ; and

5. 2016

   Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015

   Pub. L. 114–120 § 202(1)(B) · 130 Stat. 27

   Substituted · 14 U.S.C. § 305(a)(3)(A)

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

   Source evidence

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

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (B) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking “under paragraph (1)” and inserting “under paragraph (1)(A)”; and

6. 2016

   Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015

   Pub. L. 114–120 § 202(2) · 130 Stat. 27

   1. Added · 14 U.S.C. § 305(b)(2)(C); 14 U.S.C. § 305(b)(2)(D)

      Pub. L. 114–120, § 202(2), added subpar. (C)

   2. Redesignated · 14 U.S.C. § 305(b)(2)(C); 14 U.S.C. § 305(b)(2)(D)

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

   Source evidence

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

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) in subsection (b)(2)— (A) in subparagraph (B) by striking “and” at the end; (B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following: “(C) at the discretion of the Secretary, while awaiting orders after being relieved from the position, beginning on the day the officer is relieved from the position, but not for more than 60 days; and” .

7. 2018

   Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018

   Pub. L. 115–282 § 104(b) · 132 Stat. 4192

   Changed · 14 U.S.C. § 305

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

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Pub. L. 115–282, § 104(b), renumbered section 50 of this title as this section.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (b) Redesignations and Transfers.— (1) Requirement.— The sections of title 14, United States Code, identified in the table provided in paragraph (2) are amended— (A) by redesignating the sections as described in the table; and (B) by transferring the sections, as necessary, so that the sections appear after the table of sections for chapter 3 of such title (as added by subsection (a)), in the order in which the sections are presented in the table. (2) Table.— The table referred to in paragraph (1) is the following: Title 14 section number before redesignationSection heading (provided for identification purposes only-not amended)Title 14 section number after redesignation 41Grades and ratings301 44Commandant; appointment302 46Retirement of Commandant or Vice Commandant303 47Vice Commandant; appointment304 50Vice admirals305 51Retirement306 52Vice admirals and admiral, continuity of grade307 56Chief Acquisition Officer308 53Office of the Coast Guard Reserve; Director309 54Chief of Staff to President: appointment310 57Prevention and response workforces312 58Centers of expertise for Coast Guard prevention and response313 59Marine industry training program314 60Training course on workings of Congress315 98National Coast Guard Museum316 336United States Coast Guard Band; composition; director317

8. 2018

   Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018

   Pub. L. 115–282 § 123(b)(2) · 132 Stat. 4192

   Substituted · 14 U.S.C. § 305(b)(1)

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

   Source evidence

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

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) Title 14.— In title 14, United States Code, each reference in the text of such title to a source 49 USC 303–305, 308, 313, 317, 504, 528, 543, 717, 908, 1106, 1107, 1110, 1133, 1171, 1904, 1945, 2107–2110, 2113, 2115–2125, 2142–2146, 2148–2151, 2159–2164, 2307, 2311, 2315, 2734, 2922, 2945, 2946, 3711, 3731, 3734, 3735, 3737, 3740, 3742, 3743, 3747, 3749, 3752, 3901, 3902, 3908, 3909, 3911, 5101, 5103, 5104, 5107. section is amended by striking such reference and inserting a reference to the appropriate, as determined using the tables located in this title, redesignated section.

9. 2021

   William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

   Pub. L. 116–283 div. A title V § 551(b)(2) · 134 Stat. 3388

   Added · 14 U.S.C. § 305(a)(4)

   Pub. L. 116–283 added par. (4)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 116–283 added par. (4).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) Coast guard.— Section 305(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: “(4) Prior to making a recommendation to the President for the nomination of an officer for appointment to a position of importance and responsibility under this section, which appointment would result in the initial appointment of the officer concerned in the grade of vice admiral, the Commandant shall consider all officers determined to be among the best qualified for such position.” .

10. 2025

    Pub. L. 119–60 § 7201(b) · 139 Stat. 1675

    Changed · 14 U.S.C. § 305

    Pub. L. 119–60, § 7201(b), renumbered section 305 of this title as this section, resulting in no change

    Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–60 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 119–60, § 7201(b), renumbered section 305 of this title as this section, resulting in no change.

11. 2025

    Pub. L. 119–60 § 7201(e)(3)(A) · 139 Stat. 1675

    Substituted · 14 U.S.C. § 305(a)(1)

    Pub. L. 119–60, § 7201(e)(3)(A), substituted “shall” for “may” in introductory provisions

    Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–60 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 119–60, § 7201(e)(3)(A), substituted “shall” for “may” in introductory provisions.

12. 2025

    Pub. L. 119–60 § 7201(e)(3)(B) · 139 Stat. 1675

    Substituted · 14 U.S.C. § 305(a)(1)(A)(ii)

    Pub. L. 119–60, § 7201(e)(3)(B), which directed substitution of “oversee personnel management, workforce, and dependent support, training, and related matters” for “be the chief of staff of the Coast Guard”, was executed by making the substitution for “be the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress

    Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–60 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 119–60, § 7201(e)(3)(B), which directed substitution of “oversee personnel management, workforce, and dependent support, training, and related matters” for “be the chief of staff of the Coast Guard”, was executed by making the substitution for “be the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

12 of 15 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 3 unresolved