Section 10
SECTION 10. Effective six (6) years after the approval of this Decree, officers in the permanent grades of Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel, or their equivalent, shall be separated in accordance with the provisions of existing laws upon completing five (5), six (6) and seven (7) years of active commissioned service-in-grade, respectively, or upon attaining thirty-three (33), thirty-nine (39) and forty-six (46) years of age, respectively, whichever is later: Provided, That the President may lengthen such active service-in-grade when necessary to maintain the desirable officer rank structure and/or enhance a progressive professional development of the officer corps: Provided, further, That an officer with at least twenty (20) years of active service shall be retired in the grade next higher than the permanent grade he holds.