Originally Posted by
blastoff
USAF time in grade policy says majors can go to 20 years commissioned service.
Almost all O4's in all the services are allowed to by policy.
However comma...Title 10 sets O4 HYT at 20 years, but that's a ceiling, it does NOT guarantee sanctuary to get there.
Title 10 guarantees two O5 looks, and guarantees sanctuary at 18 years but there is usually an air gap between those and only service policy bridges that gap.
But there have been in the recent past shenanigans related to passed over O4's getting shown the door short of 18 years.