((a)) ** .—** Unless retired, transferred to the Retired Reserve, or discharged at an earlier date, each reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps in the grade of major general or above and each reserve officer of the Navy in the grade of rear admiral or above shall be separated in accordance with on the last day of the month in which the officer becomes 64 years of age.

((b)) ** O–9 O–10 .—** The retirement of a reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps in the grade of lieutenant general or general, or a reserve officer of the Navy in the grade of vice admiral or admiral, under subsection (a) may be deferred—

((1)) by the President, but such a deferment may not extend beyond the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 68 years of age; or

((2)) by the Secretary of Defense, but such a deferment may not extend beyond the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 66 years of age.

((c)) ** .—** This section does not apply to an officer covered by .