The 1947 NSA has been amended several times since then. I had thought that they’d eliminated the requirement altogether, but I was wrong. It’s seven years after active duty now, not the ten of the original bill. That be sometime in August 2018. And, of course, congress can always pass a bill exempting a candidate if they would like. In general, it’s probably harder to move a nominee then it would be to amend a statute.
The 1947 NSA has been amended several times since then. I had thought that they’d eliminated the requirement altogether, but I was wrong. It’s seven years after active duty now, not the ten of the original bill. That be sometime in August 2018. And, of course, congress can always pass a bill exempting a candidate if they would like. In general, it’s probably harder to move a nominee then it would be to amend a statute.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-110publ181/html/PLAW-110publ181.htm
SEC. 903. CHANGE IN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.
(a) Secretary of Defense.—Section 113(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``10’’ and inserting ``seven’’.
(b) Deputy Secretary of Defense.—Section 132(a) of such title is amended by striking ``ten’’ and inserting ``seven’’.
(c) Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.—Section 134(a) of such title is amended by striking ``10’’ and inserting ``seven’’.