((a)) ** Officers below grade of rear admiral (lower half)** Unless retired or separated earlier, each officer on the lineal list of the commissioned corps who is serving in a grade below the grade of rear admiral (lower half) shall be retired or separated (as specified in ) on the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 62 years of age.section 1251(e) of title 10

((b)) ** Flag officers** Notwithstanding subsection (a), the President may defer the retirement of an officer serving in a position that carries a grade above captain for such period as the President considers advisable, but such a deferment may not extend beyond the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 64 years of age.