((a)) ** .—** The Secretary of the military department concerned may discharge any reserve officer who—
((1)) has less than six years of service in an active status as a commissioned officer; or
((2)) is serving in the grade of second lieutenant or ensign and has been found not qualified for promotion to the grade of first lieutenant or lieutenant (junior grade).
((b)) ** .—**
((1)) An officer described in subsection (a)(2)—
((A)) may be discharged at any time after being found not qualified for promotion; and
((B)) if not sooner discharged, shall be discharged at the end of the 18-month period beginning on the date on which the officer is first found not qualified for promotion.
((2)) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the officer is sooner promoted.
((c)) ** .—** Discharges under this section shall be made under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense and may be made without regard to .