for promotion to be afforded officers of an armed force within a competitive category for promotion to a particular grade, as specified or modified pursuant to any provision of this section, may not exceed five opportunities. (e) Effect of certain reduction in number of opportunities specified If, by reason of a reduction in the number of opportunities for consideration for promotion under this section, an officer would no longer have one or more opportunities for consideration for promotion that were available to the officer before the reduction, the officer shall be afforded one additional opportunity for consideration for promotion after the reduction. 649e. Promotions Sections 620 through 626 of this title shall apply in promotions of officers in competitive categories of officers designated for purposes of this subchapter. 649f. Failure of selection for promotion (a) In general Except as provided in this section, sections 627 through 632 of this title shall apply to promotions of officers in competitive categories of officers designated for purposes of this subchapter. (b) Inapplicability of failure of selection for promotion to officers above promotion zone The reference in section 627 of this title to an officer above the promotion zone shall not apply in the promotion of officers described in subsection (a). (c) Special selection board matters The reference in section 628(a)(1) of this title to a person above the promotion zone shall not apply in the promotion of officers described in subsection (a). (d) Effect of failure of selection In the administration of this subchapter pursuant to subsection (a)— (1) an officer described in subsection (a) shall not be deemed to have failed twice of selection for promotion for purposes of section 629(e)(2) of this title until the officer has failed selection of promotion to the next higher grade the maximum number of times specified for opportunities for promotion to such grade within the competitive category concerned pursuant to section 649d of this title