At least once a year and at such other times as the Secretary determines necessary, the Secretary shall convene a personnel board. A personnel board shall consist of not less than five officers on the lineal list in the permanent grade of commander or above.
Each personnel board shall-
(1) recommend to the Secretary such changes in the lineal list as the board may determine; and
(2) make selections and recommendations to the Secretary and President for the appointment, promotion, separation, continuation, and retirement of officers as prescribed in this subchapter and subchapter III.
In a case in which any recommendation by a board convened under subsection (a) is not accepted by the Secretary or the President, the board shall make such further recommendations as are acceptable.
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Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 853r of this title prior to repeal by