In time of peace, no one can be promoted to the rank of lieutenant, captain, or major, (_chef-d'escadron_ and _chef-de-bataillon_,) till he has served two years in the next lower grade; no one can be made lieutenant-colonel till he has served four years, nor be made colonel till he has served three years, in the next lower grade; no one can be made _marechal-de-camp_, lieutenant-general, or marshal of France, till he has served two years in the next lower grade.

These numbers are all diminished one half in time of war.

For the grades of first-lieutenant and captain, two-thirds of the promotions are by seniority, and one-third by selection; for the _chef-de-bataillon_ and _chef-d'escadron_, one-half by seniority and one-half by selection; for all the other grades by selection only.

In time of war, one-half of the promotions to the grades of first-lieutenant and captain are filled by selection, and all the promotions to other grades in this way.

For promotion by selection, a list of the authorized candidates for each grade is made out every year by inspectors, and boards of examiners appointed _ad hoc_, and the name, qualifications, and particular claim are given of each officer admitted to the _concours_.