Honorary promotions on the initiative of the Department of Defense

Section 1563a of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking the Secretary may make an honorary promotion (whether or not posthumous) of a former and inserting the Secretary of a military department is authorized to make an honorary promotion, including a posthumous honorary promotion, for a former; and (ii) by striking if the Secretary determines that the promotion is merited; and (B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: (2) The honorary grade given to a member described in paragraph (1) shall be commensurate with such member’s contributions to the armed forces or the national defense. (3) The authority shall not be used to award an honorary promotion solely on the basis that an individual described in paragraph (1) was recommended for such promotion prior to separating from service. (4) The Secretaries of the military departments are only authorized to make an honorary promotion under paragraph (1) upon receipt of a favorable recommendation by a board of at least three independent officers convened specifically for the purpose of reviewing the proposed honorary promotion.; (2) in subsection (b), by striking The Secretary and inserting The Secretaries of the military departments; and (3) in subsection (c), by striking Secretary and inserting Secretaries of the military departments.