(a) The President may appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Commander, Atlantic Area, and a Commander, Pacific Area, each of whom shall be an intermediate commander between the Commandant and the district commanders in his respective area and shall perform such duties as the Commandant may prescribe.

The area commanders shall be appointed from officers on the active duty promotion list serving above the grade of captain.

The Commandant shall make recommendations for such appointments. (b) An area commander shall, while so serving, have the grade of vice admiral with pay and allowances of that grade.

The appointment and grade of an area commander shall be effective on the date the officer assumes that duty, and shall terminate on the date the officer is detached from that duty, except as provided in subsection (!1) 51(d) of this title.