; (4) an assessment of the available pool of qualified of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, African American, Hispanic, Puerto Rican, Native American, Alaska Native and female candidates for Coast Guard positions in pay grades O–9 and O–10; (5) identification of persistent, group-specific deviations from overall averages and plans to investigate underlying causes; and (6) summaries of progress made on previous actions. . (3) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 51 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 5104 the following new item: 5104a. Quadrennial report on diversity and inclusion. . (d) Consideration of diversity in appointments of officers to O–9 and O–10 grades (1) Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force Section 601 of title 10, United States Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections: (e) The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall consider all Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, African American, Hispanic, Puerto Rican, Native American, Alaska Native and female candidates prior to recommending to the President an initial appointment to the grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral, or an initial appointment to the grade of general or admiral under subsection (a). (f) When seeking the advice and consent of the Senate for the appointment of an officer under subsection (a), the President shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate a certification— (1) that all Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, African American, Hispanic, Puerto Rican, Native American, Alaska Native and female candidates were considered for appointment; and (2) that— (A) none of the candidates under paragraph (1) met the qualifications needed by an officer serving in that position or office to carry out effectively the duties and responsibilities of that position or office