(1) An officer of the rank of Lieutenant. Lieutenant-Commander or Commander may be promoted with the approval of the Government to the next higher rank for gallantry in action or specially meritorious service in war, provided that:
(a) in the case of an officer of the rank of Lieutenant or Lieutenant-Commander, he has completed 2 years’ service in that rank, of which one year shall have been at sea; and
(b) in the case of an officer of the rank of Commander, he has completed one year’s service at sea in that rank.
An officer of the rank of Lieutenant on promotion to the next higher rank on the active list shall be entitled to the pay of such rank from the date of promotion. Officers of the rank of Lieutenant-Commander or Commander on promotion to the next higher rank shall not, however, be entitled to the full pay of the higher rank until they are re-appointed in such rank.
If not re-appointed on promotion, they shall continue on the full pay of their former rank.
(2) Recommendations for the special promotion of commissioned officers shall be made through normal channels, to the Chief of the Naval Staff for obtaining the approval of the Government.
153. The Government may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, relax in any case the condition of sea service prescribed for promotion to the ranks of Commander and Captain in all Branches.
SECTION II – EXECUTIVE BRANCH - PROMOTION