In this chapter, the term “prescribed number” or “number . . . prescribed” as applied to a grade, means the number of officers of a described corps, designation, or other category that shall be maintained in the grade concerned. Except as otherwise specifically provided, the actual number of officers in a grade may not exceed the prescribed number. Vacancies occur whenever, and to the extent that, the actual number falls below the prescribed number.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 299, § 5441; Pub. L. 96–513, title III, § 313(a), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2889; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, § 1622(e)(8), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1605; renumbered § 8101, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(b)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1834.)