Section 9. Maximum Tenure in Rank. —

The maximum tenure of officers in the ranks of Captain and Flag Officer in the PCG are hereby prescribed as follows:

Rank	Maximum Tenure in Rank
Coast Guard Admiral	three (3) years
Coast Guard Vice Admiral	three (3) years
Coast Guard Rear Admiral	three (3) years
Coast Guard Commodore	five (5) years
Coast Guard Captain	seven (7) years

Unless earlier separated, retired or promoted to the next higher rank or occupying a position calling for the higher rank in the PCG table of organization, Captains and Flag Officers shall be compulsorily retired upon the attainment of the maximum tenure in rank herein prescribed, or upon reaching the age of compulsory retirement whichever comes earlier: Provided, That officers already holding these ranks upon the approval of this Act may be allowed one (1) year more of tenure in rank before the maximum tenure provided in this section shall be applied to them, unless they shall have already reached the compulsory retirement age under existing laws, in which case the compulsory retirement age shall prevail.