by the Secretary of the military department concerned, recommend officers of particular merit, from among those officers selected for promotion, to be placed at the top of the promotion list promulgated by the Secretary under section 624(a)(1) of this title. (2) The number of such officers placed at the top of the promotion list may not exceed the number equal to 20 percent of the maximum number of officers that the board is authorized to recommend for promotion in such competitive category. If the number determined under this subsection is less than one, the board may recommend one such officer. (3) No officer may be recommended to be placed at the top of the promotion list unless the officer receives the recommendation of at least a majority of the members of a board for such placement. (4) For the officers recommended to be placed at the top of the promotion list, the board shall recommend the order in which these officers should be promoted. . (b) Officers of particular merit appearing at top of promotion list Section 624(a)(1) of such title is amended by inserting , except such officers of particular merit who were approved by the President and recommended by the board to be placed at the top of the promotion list under section 616(g) of this title as these officers shall be placed at the top of the promotion list in the order recommended by the board after officers on the active-duty list . 503. Clarification to exception for removal of officers from list of officers recommended for promotion after 18 months without appointment Section 629(c)(3) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking the Senate is not able to obtain the information necessary and inserting the military department concerned is not able to obtain and provide to the Senate the information the Senate requires . 504. Flexibility in promotion of officers to positions of Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy (a) Staff Judge Advocate to Commandant of the Marine