Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 1215.17
January 29, 2014
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Educational Requirements for Appointment to a Grade Above First Lieutenant or
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in a Reserve Component
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive 5124.02 (Reference (a)), this
instruction reissues DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1215.17 (Reference (b)) to establish policy and
assign responsibilities for determining which educational institutions’ baccalaureate degrees
satisfy the educational requirement for appointment of Reserve Component officers and other
persons to a grade above First Lieutenant or Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in a Reserve Component.
2. APPLICABILITY. This instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD.
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. Pursuant to section 12205 of Title 10, United States Code (Reference (c)), Reserve
Component officers and other persons are required to have at least a baccalaureate degree from a
qualifying educational institution before being federally recognized in or appointed to:
(1) A grade above First Lieutenant in the Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve, or Marine
Corps Reserve.
(2) A grade above Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in the Navy Reserve.
(3) A grade above First Lieutenant as a member of the Army National Guard or Air
National Guard.
b. Exempt from this policy is any officer or other person who is appointed to or
recognized in:
