1. U.S. Code
  2. title 50
  3. chapter 49
  4. § 3806

Collapse to view only § 3806. Deferments and exemptions from training and service

§ 3801. Short title; Congressional declaration of policy
(a) This Act may be cited as the “Military Selective Service Act”.
(b) The Congress declares that an adequate armed strength must be achieved and maintained to insure the security of this Nation.
(c) The Congress further declares that in a free society the obligations and privileges of serving in the armed forces and the reserve components thereof should be shared generally, in accordance with a system of selection which is fair and just, and which is consistent with the maintenance of an effective national economy.
(d) The Congress further declares, in accordance with our traditional military policy as expressed in the National Defense Act of 1916, as amended, that it is essential that the strength and organization of the National Guard, both Ground and Air, as an integral part of the first line defenses of this Nation, be at all times maintained and assured.

To this end, it is the intent of the Congress that whenever Congress shall determine that units and organizations are needed for the national security in excess of those of the Regular components of the Ground Forces and the Air Forces, and those in active service under this chapter, the National Guard of the United States, both Ground and Air, or such part thereof as may be necessary, together with such units of the Reserve components as are necessary for a balanced force, shall be ordered to active Federal service and continued therein so long as such necessity exists.

(e) The Congress further declares that adequate provision for national security requires maximum effort in the fields of scientific research and development, and the fullest possible utilization of the Nation’s technological, scientific, and other critical manpower resources.
(f) The Congress further declares that the Selective Service System should remain administratively independent of any other agency, including the Department of Defense.
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 1, 62 Stat. 604; June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(a), 65 Stat. 75; Pub. L. 90–40, § 1(1), June 30, 1967, 81 Stat. 100; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(1), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 348; Pub. L. 96–107, title VIII, § 812, Nov. 9, 1979, 93 Stat. 816.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3801

§ 3802. Registration
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter it shall be the duty of every male citizen of the United States, and every other male person residing in the United States, who, on the day or days fixed for the first or any subsequent registration, is between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, to present himself for and submit to registration at such time or times and place or places, and in such manner, as shall be determined by proclamation of the President and by rules and regulations prescribed hereunder. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to any alien lawfully admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant under section 1101(a)(15) of title 8, for so long as he continues to maintain a lawful nonimmigrant status in the United States.
(b) Regulations prescribed pursuant to subsection (a) may require that persons presenting themselves for and submitting to registration under this section provide, as part of such registration, such identifying information (including date of birth, address, and social security account number) as such regulations may prescribe.
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 3, 62 Stat. 605; June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(c), 65 Stat. 76; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(2), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 348; Pub. L. 97–86, title IX, § 916(a), Dec. 1, 1981, 95 Stat. 1129.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3802

§ 3803. Persons liable for training and service
(a) Age limits; training in National Security Training Corps; physical and mental fitness; adequate training facilities; assignment to stations and units; training period; medical specialist categories
(b) Length of service; release of individuals accepted into Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and other Reserve components
(c) Opportunity to enlist in Regular Army; voluntary induction; volunteers under 18 years old
(1) Under the provisions of applicable laws and regulations any person between the ages of eighteen years and six months and twenty-six years shall be offered an opportunity to enlist in the regular army for a period of service equal to that prescribed in subsection (b) of this section: Provided, That, notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other Act, any person so enlisting shall not have his enlistment extended without his consent until after a declaration of war or national emergency by the Congress after June 19, 1951.
(2) Any enlisted member of any reserve component of the Armed Forces may, during the effective period of this Act, apply for a period of service equal to that prescribed in subsection (b) of this section and his application shall be accepted: Provided, That his services can be effectively utilized and that his physical and mental fitness for such service meet the standards prescribed by the head of the department concerned: Provided further, That active service performed pursuant to this section shall not prejudice his status as such member of such reserve component: And provided further, That any person who was a member of a reserve component on June 25, 1950, and who thereafter continued to serve satisfactorily in such reserve component, shall, if his application for active duty made pursuant to this paragraph is denied, be deferred from induction under this chapter until such time as he is ordered to active duty or ceases to serve satisfactorily in such reserve component.
(3) Within the limits of the quota determined under section 3805(b) of this title for the subdivision in which he resides, any person, between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, shall be afforded an opportunity to volunteer for induction into the Armed Forces of the United States for the training and service prescribed in subsection (b), but no person who so volunteers shall be inducted for such training and service so long as he is deferred after classification.
(4) Within the limits of the quota determined under section 3805(b) of this title for the subdivision in which he resides, any person after attaining the age of seventeen shall with the written consent of his parents or guardian be afforded an opportunity to volunteer for induction into the Armed Forces of the United States for the training and service prescribed in subsection (b).
(5) Within the limits of the quota determined under section 3805(b) of this title for the subdivision in which he resides, at such time as induction into the National Security Training Corps is authorized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, any person after attaining the age of seventeen shall with the written consent of his parents or guardian be afforded an opportunity to volunteer for induction into the National Security Training Corps for the training prescribed in subsection (k).
(d) Transfer to Reserve component; period of service
(1) Each person who hereafter and prior to June 19, 1951, is inducted, enlisted, or appointed and serves for a period of less than three years in one of the armed forces and meets the qualifications for enlistment or appointment in a reserve component of the armed force in which he serves, shall be transferred to a reserve component of such armed force, and until the expiration of a period of five years after such transfer, or until he is discharged from such reserve component, whichever occurs first, shall be deemed to be a member of such reserve component and shall be subject to such additional training and service as may now or hereafter be prescribed by law for such reserve component: Provided, That any such person who completes at least twenty-one months of service in the armed forces and who thereafter serves satisfactorily (1) on active duty in the armed forces under a voluntary extension for a period of at least one year, which extension is authorized, or (2) in an organized unit of any reserve component of any of the armed forces for a period of at least thirty-six consecutive months, shall, except in time of war or national emergency declared by the Congress, be relieved from any further liability under this subsection to serve in any reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, but nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent any such person, while in a reserve component of such forces, from being ordered or called to active duty in such forces.
(2) Each person who hereafter and prior to June 19, 1951, is enlisted under the provisions of subsection (g) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this section and who meets the qualifications for enlistment or appointment in a reserve component of the armed forces shall, upon discharge from such enlistment under honorable conditions, be transferred to a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and shall serve therein for a period of six years or until sooner discharged. Each such person shall, so long as he is a member of such reserve component, be liable to be ordered to active duty, but except in time of war or national emergency declared by the Congress no such person shall be ordered to active duty, without his consent and except as hereinafter provided, for more than one month in any year. In case the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, or the Secretary of the Air Force determines that enlistment, enrollment, or appointment in, or assignment to, an organized unit of a reserve component or an officers’ training program of the armed force in which he served is available to, and can without undue hardship be filled by, any such person, it shall be the duty of such person to enlist, enroll, or accept appointment in, or accept assignment to, such organized unit or officers’ training program and to serve satisfactorily therein for a period of four years. Any such person who fails or refuses to perform such duty may be ordered to active duty, without his consent, for an additional period of not more than twelve consecutive months. Any such person who enlists or accepts appointment in any such organized unit and serves satisfactorily therein for a period of four years shall, except in time of war or national emergency declared by the Congress, be relieved from any further liability under this subsection to serve in any reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, but nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent any such person, while in a reserve component of such forces, from being ordered or called to active duty in such forces. The Secretary of Defense is authorized to prescribe regulations governing the transfer of such persons within and between reserve components of the armed forces and determining, for the purpose of the requirements of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, the credit to be allowed any person so transferring for his previous service in one or more reserve components.
(3) Each person who, subsequent to June 19, 1951, and on or before August 9, 1955, is inducted, enlisted, or appointed, under any provision of law, in the Armed Forces, including the reserve components thereof, or in the National Security Training Corps prior to attaining the twenty-sixth anniversary of his birth, shall be required to serve on active training and service in the Armed Forces or in training in the National Security Training Corps, and in a reserve component, for a total period of eight years, unless sooner discharged on grounds of personal hardship, in accordance with regulations and standards prescribed by the Secretary of Defense (or the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the United States Coast Guard). Each such person, on release from active training and service in the Armed Forces or from training in the National Security Training Corps, shall, if physically and mentally qualified, be transferred to a reserve component of the Armed Forces, and shall serve therein for the remainder of the period which he is required to serve under this paragraph and shall be deemed to be a member of the reserve component during that period. If the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, or the Secretary of the Air Force, or the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the United States Coast Guard, determines that enlistment, enrollment, or appointment in, or assignment to, an organized unit of a reserve component or an officers’ training program of the armed force in which he served is available to, and can, without undue personal hardship, be filled by such a person, that person shall enlist, enroll, or accept appointment in, or accept assignment to, the organized unit or officers’ training program, and serve satisfactorily therein.
(e) Pay and allowances
(f) Additional compensation from civilian sources
(g) Occupational deferment recommendations by National Security Council
(h) Repealed. June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(h), 65 Stat. 80
(i), (j) Omitted
(k) Reduction of periods of service; establishment of National Security Training Corps; composition; service; pay
(1) Upon a finding by him that such action is justified by the strength of the Armed Forces in the light of international conditions, the President, upon recommendation of the Secretary of Defense, is authorized, by Executive order, which shall be uniform in its application to all persons inducted under this chapter but which may vary as to age groups, to provide for (A) decreasing periods of service under this chapter but in no case to a lesser period of time than can be economically utilized, or (B) eliminating periods of service required under this chapter.
(2) Whenever the Congress shall by concurrent resolution declare—
(A) that the period of active service required of any age group or groups of persons inducted under this chapter should be decreased to any period less than twenty-four months which may be designated in such resolution; or
(B) that the period of active service required of any age group or groups of persons inducted under this chapter should be eliminated,
the period of active service in the Armed Forces of the age group or groups designated in any such resolution shall be so decreased or eliminated, as the case may be. Whenever the period of active service required under this chapter of persons who have not attained the nineteenth anniversary of the day of their birth has been reduced or eliminated by the President or as a result of the adoption of a concurrent resolution of the Congress in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section, all individuals then or thereafter liable for registration under this chapter who on that date have not attained the nineteenth anniversary of the day of their birth and have not been inducted into the Armed Forces shall be liable, effective on such date, for induction into the National Security Training Corps as hereinafter established for initial military training for a period of six months.
(3), (4) Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, § 8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 656.
(5) The Commission shall, subject to the direction of the President, exercise general supervision over the training of the National Security Training Corps, which training shall be basic military training. The Commission shall establish such policies and standards with respect to the conduct of the training of members of the National Security Training Corps as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. The Commission shall make adequate provisions for the moral and spiritual welfare of members of the National Security Training Corps. The Secretary of Defense shall designate the military departments to carry out such training. Each military department so designated shall carry out such military training in accordance with the policies and standards of the Commission. The military department or departments so designated to carry out such military training shall, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense, and subject to the policies and standards established by the Commission, determine the type or types of basic military training to be given to members of the National Security Training Corps.
(6) Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, § 8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 656.
(7) Not later than four months following confirmation of the members of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the Congress legislative recommendations which shall include, but not be limited to—
(A) a broad outline for a program deemed by the Commission and approved by the Secretary of Defense to be appropriate to assure that the training carried out under the provisions of this Act shall be of a military nature, but nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed to grant to the Commission the authority to prescribe the basic type or types of military training to be given members of the National Security Training Corps;
(B) measures for the personal safety, health, welfare and morals of members of the National Security Training Corps;
(C) a code of conduct, together with penalties for violation thereof;
(D) measures deemed necessary to implement the policies and standards established under the provisions of paragraph (5) of this subsection; and
(E) disability and death benefits and other benefits, and the obligations, duties, liabilities and responsibilities, to be granted to or imposed upon members of the National Security Training Corps.
All legislative recommendations submitted under this paragraph shall be referred to the Committees on Armed Services of the two Houses, and each of such committees shall, not later than the expiration of the first period of 45 calendar days of continuous sessions of the Congress, following the date on which the recommendations provided for in this paragraph are transmitted to the Congress, report thereon to its House: Provided, That any bill or resolution reported with respect to such recommendations shall be privileged and may be called up by any member of either House but shall be subject to amendment as if it were not so privileged.
(8) No person shall be inducted into the National Security Training Corps until after—
(A) a code of conduct, together with penalties for violation thereof, and measures providing for disability and death benefits have been enacted into law; and
(B) such other legislative recommendations as are provided for in paragraph (7) shall have been considered and such recommendations or any portion thereof shall have been enacted with or without amendments into law; and
(C) the period of service required under this chapter of persons who have not attained the nineteenth anniversary of the day of their birth has been reduced or eliminated by the President or as a result of the adoption of a concurrent resolution of the Congress in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(9) Six months following the commencement of induction of persons into the National Security Training Corps, and semiannually thereafter, the Commission shall submit to the Congress a comprehensive report describing in detail the operation of the National Security Training Corps, including the number of persons inducted therein, a list of camps and stations at which training is being conducted, a report on the number of deaths and injuries occurring during such training and the causes thereof, an estimate of the performance of the persons inducted therein, including an analysis of the disciplinary problems encountered during the preceding six months, the number of civilian employees of the Commission and the administrative costs of the Commission. Simultaneously, there shall be submitted to the Congress by the Secretary of Defense a report setting forth an estimate of the value of the training conducted during the preceding six months, the cost of the training program chargeable to the appropriations made to the Department of Defense, and the number of personnel of the Armed Forces directly engaged in the conduct of such training.
(10) Each person inducted into the National Security Training Corps shall be compensated at the monthly rate of $30: Provided, however, That each such person, having a dependent or dependents shall be entitled to receive a dependency allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing provided for persons in pay grade E–1 under section 403 of title 37 plus $40 so long as such person has in effect an allotment equal to the amount of such dependency allowance for the support of the dependent or dependents on whose account the allowance is claimed.
(11) No person inducted into the National Security Training Corps shall be assigned for training at an installation located on land outside the continental United States, except that residents of Territories and possessions of the United States may be trained in the Territory or possession from which they were inducted.
(l) Terminated
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 4, 62 Stat. 605; Sept. 9, 1950, ch. 939, § 1, 64 Stat. 826; Sept. 27, 1950, ch. 1059, §§ 1(1)–(5), 3(a), 64 Stat. 1073; June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(d)–(j), 65 Stat. 76; July 9, 1952, ch. 608, pt. VIII, § 813, 66 Stat. 509; June 29, 1953, ch. 158, §§ 1, 2, 6, 67 Stat. 86, 89; June 30, 1955, ch. 250, title II, § 202, 69 Stat. 224; Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 665, § 3(a), 69 Stat. 602; Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §§ 22(a)–(c), 53, 70A Stat. 630, 641; Pub. L. 85–62, §§ 1–3, June 27, 1957, 71 Stat. 206, 207; Pub. L. 85–564, July 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 424; Pub. L. 85–861, §§ 9, 36A, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1556, 1569; Pub. L. 87–651, title III, § 301, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 524; Pub. L. 89–554, § 8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 656; Pub. L. 90–40, § 1(2), June 30, 1967, 81 Stat. 100; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(3)–(7), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 348, 349; Pub. L. 94–106, title VIII, § 802(c), Oct. 7, 1975, 89 Stat. 537; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title VI, § 603(d)(5), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1783; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(e)(11)(A), (B), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2315.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3803

§ 3804. Volunteer service of physicians and dentists; minimum period

Any physician or dentist who meets the qualifications for a reserve commission in the respective military departments shall, so long as there is a need for the services of such a physician or dentist, be afforded an opportunity to volunteer for a period of active duty of not less than twenty-four months. Any physician or dentist who so volunteers his service, and meets the qualifications for a reserve commission shall be ordered to active duty for not less than twenty-four months, notwithstanding the grade or rank to which such physician or dentist is entitled under the provisions of the Act of September 9, 1950, as amended.

(June 29, 1953, ch. 158, § 7, 67 Stat. 89.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3804

§ 3805. Manner of selection of men for training and service; quotas
(a) Manner of selection
(1) The selection of persons for training and service under section 3803 of this title shall be made in an impartial manner, under such rules and regulations as the President may prescribe, from the persons who are liable for such training and service and who at the time of selection are registered and classified, but not deferred or exempted: Provided, That in the selection of persons for training and service under this chapter, and in the interpretation and execution of the provisions of this chapter, there shall be no discrimination against any person on account of race or color: Provided further, That in the classification of registrants within the jurisdiction of any local board, the registrants of any particular registration may be classified, in the manner prescribed by and in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the President, before, together with, or after the registrants of any prior registration or registrations; and in the selection for induction of persons within the jurisdiction of any local board and within any particular classification, persons who were registered at any particular registration may be selected, in the manner prescribed by and in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the President, before, together with, or after persons who were registered at any prior registration or registrations: And provided further, That nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the selection or induction of persons by age group or groups under rules and regulations prescribed by the President: And provided further, That—
(1) no local board shall order for induction for training and service in the Armed Forces of the United States any person who has not attained the age of nineteen unless there is not within the jurisdiction of such local board a sufficient number of persons who are deemed by such local board to be available for induction and who have attained the age of nineteen to enable such local board to meet a call for men which it has been ordered to furnish for induction;
(2) no local board shall order for induction for training and service in the Armed Forces of the United States any person who has not attained the age of nineteen, if there is any person within the jurisdiction of such local board who (i) is as much as ninety days older, (ii) has not attained the age of nineteen, and (iii) is deemed by the local board to be available for induction; and
(3) no local board shall order for induction for training and service in the Armed Forces of the United States an alien unless such alien shall have resided in the United States for one year.
(2) Repealed. Pub. L. 91–124, § 2, Nov. 26, 1969, 83 Stat. 220.
(b) Basis for determination of quotas
(c) Terminated
(d) Rules and regulations
(e) Number of inductees
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 5, 62 Stat. 608; June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(k), 65 Stat. 83; Pub. L. 85–62, §§ 4, 5, June 27, 1957, 71 Stat. 207; Pub. L. 90–40, § 1(3), June 30, 1967, 81 Stat. 100; Pub. L. 91–124, § 2, Nov. 26, 1969, 83 Stat. 220; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(8), (9), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 349.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3805

§ 3806. Deferments and exemptions from training and service
(a) In general
(1) Commissioned officers, warrant officers, pay clerks, enlisted men, and aviation cadets of the Regular Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, and the Environmental Science Services Administration; 1
1 See Transfer of Functions note below.
cadets, United States Military Academy; midshipmen, United States Naval Academy; cadets, United States Air Force Academy; cadets, United States Coast Guard Academy; midshipmen, Merchant Marine Reserve, members of the United States Navy Reserve; students enrolled in an officer procurement program at military colleges the curriculum of which is approved by the Secretary of Defense; members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard, while on active duty; and foreign diplomatic representatives, technical attachés of foreign embassies and legations, consuls general, consuls, vice consuls and other consular agents of foreign countries who are not citizens of the United States, and members of their families, and persons in other categories to be specified by the President who are not citizens of the United States, shall not be required to be registered under section 3802 of this title and shall be relieved from liability for training and service under section 3803 of this title, except that aliens admitted for permanent residence in the United States shall not be so exempted: Provided, That any alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence as defined in paragraph (20) of section 1101(a) of title 8 and who by reason of occupational status is subject to adjustment to nonimmigrant status under paragraph (15)(A), (15)(E), or (15)(G) of such section 1101(a) but who executes a waiver in accordance with section 1257(b) of title 8 of all rights, privileges, exemptions, and immunities which would otherwise accrue to him as a result of that occupational status, shall be subject to registration under section 3802 of this title, but shall be deferred from induction for training and service for so long as such occupational status continues. Any person who subsequent to June 24, 1948, serves on active duty for a period of not less than twelve months in the armed forces of a nation with which the United States is associated in mutual defense activities as defined by the President, may be exempted from training and service, but not from registration, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the President, except that no such exemption shall be granted to any person who is a national of a country which does not grant reciprocal privileges to citizens of the United States: Provided, That any active duty performed prior to June 24, 1948, by a person in the armed forces of a country allied with the United States during World War II and with which the United States is associated in such mutual defense activities, shall be credited in the computation of such twelve-month period: Provided further, That any person who is in a medical, dental, or allied specialist category not otherwise deferred or exempted under this subsection shall be liable for registration and training and service until the thirty-fifth anniversary of the date of his birth.
(2) Commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and members of the Reserve of the Public Health Service while on active duty and assigned to staff the various offices and bureaus of the Public Health Service, including the National Institutes of Health, or assigned to the Coast Guard, the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency, or the Environmental Science Services Administration 1 or who are assigned to assist Indian tribes, groups, bands, or communities pursuant to the Act of August 5, 1954 (68 Stat. 674), as amended [42 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.], shall not be required to be registered under section 3802 of this title and shall be relieved from liability for training and service under section 3803 of this title. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and members of the Reserve of the Public Health Service who, prior to June 30, 1967, had been detailed or assigned to duty other than that specified in the preceding sentence shall not be required to be registered under section 3802 of this title and shall be relieved from liability for training and service under section 3803 of this title.
(b) Persons who served during World War II
(1) No person who served honorably on active duty between September 16, 1940, and June 24, 1948, for a period of twelve months or more, or between December 7, 1941, and September 2, 1945, for a period in excess of ninety days, in the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, the Public Health Service, or the armed forces of any country allied with the United States in World War II prior to September 2, 1945, shall be liable for induction for training and service under this chapter, except after a declaration of war or national emergency made by the Congress subsequent to June 24, 1948.
(2) No person who served honorably on active duty between September 16, 1940, and June 24, 1948, for a period of ninety days or more but less than twelve months in the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, the Public Health Service, or the armed forces of any country allied with the United States in World War II prior to September 2, 1945, shall be liable for induction for training and service under this chapter, except after a declaration of war or national emergency made by the Congress subsequent to June 24, 1948, if—
(A) the local board determines that he is regularly enlisted or commissioned in any organized unit of a reserve component of the armed force in which he served, provided such unit is reasonably accessible to such person without unduly interrupting his normal pursuits and activities (including attendance at a college or university in which he is regularly enrolled), or in a reserve component (other than in an organized unit) of such armed force in any case in which enlistment or commission in an organized unit of a reserve component of such armed force is not available to him; or
(B) the local board determines that enlistment or commission in a reserve component of such armed force is not available to him or that he has voluntarily enlisted or accepted appointment in an organized unit of a reserve component of an armed force other than the armed force in which he served.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to be applicable to any person to whom paragraph (1) of this subsection is applicable.
(3) Except as provided in section 3805(a) of this title, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no person who (A) has served honorably on active duty after September 16, 1940, for a period of not less than one year in the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, the Marine Corps, or the Coast Guard, or (B) subsequent to September 16, 1940, was discharged for the convenience of the Government after having served honorably on active duty for a period of not less than six months in the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, the Marine Corps, or the Coast Guard, or (C) has served for a period of not less than twenty-four months (i) as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service or (ii) as a commissioned officer in the Coast and Geodetic Survey, shall be liable for induction for training and service under this Act, except after a declaration of war or national emergency made by the Congress subsequent to June 24, 1948.
(4) No person who is honorably discharged upon the completion of an enlistment pursuant to section 3803(c) of this title shall be liable for induction for training and service under this chapter, except after a declaration of war or national emergency made by the Congress subsequent to June 24, 1948.
(5) For the purposes of computation of the periods of active duty referred to in paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection, no credit shall be allowed for—
(A) periods of active duty training performed as a member of a reserve component pursuant to an order or call to active duty solely for training purposes;
(B) periods of active duty in which the service consisted solely of training under the Army specialized training program, the Army Air Force college training program, or any similar program under the jurisdiction of the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard;
(C) periods of active duty as a cadet at the United States Military Academy or United States Coast Guard Academy, or as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, or in a preparatory school after nomination as a principal, alternate, or candidate for admission to any of such academies; or
(D) periods of active duty in any of the armed forces while being processed for entry into or separation from any educational program or institution referred to in paragraphs (B) or (C);
(c) Persons who were members of Ready Reserve of any Reserve component of the Armed Forces, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard on February 1, 1951, and persons who enlist in Ready Reserve of any Reserve component of the Armed Forces, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard
(1) Persons who, on February 1, 1951, were members of organized units of the federally recognized National Guard, the federally recognized Air National Guard, the Officers’ Reserve Corps, the Regular Army Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, the Enlisted Reserve Corps, the Naval Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Coast Guard Reserve, or the Public Health Service Reserve, shall, so long as they continue to be such members and satisfactorily participate in scheduled drills and training periods as prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, be exempt from training and service by induction under the provisions of this chapter, but shall not be exempt from registration unless on active duty.
(2)
(A) Any person, other than a person referred to in subsection (d) of this section, who—
(i) prior to the issuance of orders for him to report for induction; or
(ii) prior to the date scheduled for his induction and pursuant to a proclamation by the Governor of a State to the effect that the authorized strength of any organized unit of the National Guard of that State cannot be maintained by the enlistment or appointment of persons who have not been issued orders to report for induction under this chapter; or
(iii) prior to the date scheduled for his induction and pursuant to a determination by the President that the strength of the Ready Reserve of the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve cannot be maintained by the enlistment or appointment of persons who have not been issued orders to report for induction under this chapter;
enlists or accepts appointment, before attaining the age of 26 years, in the Ready Reserve of any Reserve component of the Armed Forces, the Army National Guard, or the Air National Guard, shall be deferred from training and service under this chapter so long as he serves satisfactorily as a member of an organized unit of such Reserve or National Guard in accordance with section 10147 of title 10 or section 502 of title 32, as the case may be, or satisfactorily performs such other Ready Reserve service as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. Enlistments or appointments under subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of this clause may be accepted notwithstanding the provisions of section 3813(d) of this title. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (h) of this section, no person deferred under this clause who has completed six years of such satisfactory service as a member of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, and who during such service has performed active duty for training with an armed force for not less than twelve consecutive weeks, shall be liable for induction for training and service under this Act, except after a declaration of war or national emergency made by the Congress after August 9, 1955. In no event shall the number of enlistments or appointments made under authority of this paragraph in any fiscal year in any Reserve component of the Armed Forces or in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard cause the personnel strength of such Reserve component or the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be, to exceed the personnel strength for which funds have been made available by the Congress for such fiscal year.
(B) A person who, under any provision of law, is exempt or deferred from training and service under this Act by reason of membership in a reserve component, the Army National Guard, or the Air National Guard, as the case may be, shall, if he becomes a member of another reserve component, the Army National Guard, or the Air National Guard, as the case may be, continue to be exempt or deferred to the same extent as if he had not become a member of another reserve component, the Army National Guard, or the Air National Guard, as the case may be, so long as he continues to serve satisfactorily.
(C) Except as provided in subsection (b) and the provisions of this subsection, no person who becomes a member of a reserve component after February 1, 1951, shall thereby be exempt from registration or training and service by induction under the provisions of this Act.
(D) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the President, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, may provide that any person enlisted or appointed after October 4, 1961, in the Ready Reserve of any reserve component of the Armed Forces (other than under section 12103 of title 10), the Army National Guard, or the Air National Guard, prior to attaining age of twenty-six years, or any person enlisted or appointed in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard or enlisted in the Ready Reserve of any reserve component prior to attaining the age of eighteen years and six months and deferred under the prior provisions of this paragraph as amended by the Act of October 4, 1961, Public Law 87–378 (75 Stat. 807), or under section 1013 of this title, who fails to serve satisfactorily during his obligated period of service as a member of such Ready Reserve or National Guard or the Ready Reserve of another reserve component or the National Guard of which he becomes a member, may be selected for training and service and inducted into the armed force of which such reserve component is a part, prior to the selection and induction of other persons liable therefor.
(d) Persons who enroll in Armed Forces Officers’ Candidate Schools
(1) Within such numbers as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, any person who (A) has been or may hereafter be selected for enrollment or continuance in the senior division, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or the Air Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or the naval and Marine Corps officer candidate training program established by the Act of August 13, 1946 (60 Stat. 1057), as amended, or the Reserve officers’ candidate program of the Navy, or the platoon leaders’ class of the Marine Corps, or the officer procurement programs of the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Reserve, or appointed an ensign, United States Navy Reserve, while undergoing professional training; (B) agrees, in writing, to accept a commission, if tendered, and to serve, subject to order of the Secretary of the military department having jurisdiction over him (or the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the United States Coast Guard), not less than two years on active duty after receipt of a commission; and (C) agrees to remain a member of a regular or reserve component until the eighth anniversary of the receipt of a commission in accordance with his obligation under the first sentence of section 651 of title 10, or until the sixth anniversary of the receipt of a commission in accordance with his obligation under the second sentence of section 651 of title 10, shall be deferred from induction under this chapter until after completion or termination of the course of instruction and so long as he continues in a regular or reserve status upon being commissioned, but shall not be exempt from registration. Such persons, except those persons who have previously completed an initial period of military training or an equivalent period of active military training and service, shall be required while enrolled in such programs to complete a period of training equal (as determined under regulations approved by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the United States Coast Guard) in duration and type of training to an initial period of military training. There shall be added to the obligated active commissioned service of any person who has agreed to perform such obligatory service in return for financial assistance while attending a civilian college under any such training program a period of not to exceed one year. Except as provided in paragraph (5), upon the successful completion by any person of the required course of instruction under any program listed in clause (A) of the first sentence of this paragraph, such person shall be tendered a commission in the appropriate reserve component of the Armed Forces if he is otherwise qualified for such appointment. If, at the time of, or subsequent to, such appointment, the armed force in which such person is commissioned does not require his service on active duty in fulfillment of the obligation undertaken by him in compliance with clause (B) of the first sentence of this paragraph, such person shall be ordered to active duty for training with such armed force in the grade in which he was commissioned for a period of active duty for training of not more than six months (not including duty performed under section 10147 of title 10), as determined by the Secretary of the military department concerned to be necessary to qualify such person for a mobilization assignment. Upon being commissioned and assigned to a reserve component, such person shall be required to serve therein, or in a reserve component of any other armed force in which he is later appointed, until the eighth anniversary of the receipt of such commission pursuant to the provisions of this section. So long as such person performs satisfactory service, as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, he shall be deferred from training and service under the provisions of this Act. If such person fails to perform satisfactory service, and such failure is not excused under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, his commission may be revoked by the Secretary of the military department concerned.
(2) In addition to the training programs enumerated in paragraph (1) of this subsection, and under such regulations as the Secretary of Defense (or the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to the United States Coast Guard) may approve, the Secretaries of the military departments and the Secretary of the Treasury are authorized to establish officer candidate programs leading to the commissioning of persons on active duty. Any person heretofore or hereafter enlisted in the Army Reserve, the Navy Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, or the Coast Guard Reserve who thereafter has been or may be commissioned therein upon graduation from an Officers’ Candidate School of such Armed Force shall, if not ordered to active duty as a commissioned officer, be deferred from training and service under the provisions of this Act so long as he performs satisfactory service as a commissioned officer in an appropriate unit of the Ready Reserve, as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the department concerned. If such person fails to perform satisfactory service in such unit, and such failure is not excused under such regulations, his commission may be revoked by such Secretary.
(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to preclude the President from providing, by regulations prescribed under subsection (h) of this section, for the deferment from training and service of any category or categories of students for such periods of time as he may deem appropriate.
(4) Omitted
(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), upon the successful completion by any person of the required course of instruction under any Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program listed in clause (A) of the first sentence of paragraph (1) and subject to the approval of the Secretary of the military department having jurisdiction over him, such person may, without being relieved of his obligation under that sentence, be tendered, and accept, a commission in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration instead of a commission in the appropriate reserve component of the Armed Forces. If he does not serve on active duty as a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for at least six years, he shall, upon discharge therefrom, be tendered a commission in the appropriate reserve component of the Armed Forces, if he is otherwise qualified for such appointment, and, in fulfillment of his obligation under the first sentence of paragraph (1), remain a member of a reserve component until the sixth anniversary of the receipt of his commission in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. While a member of a reserve component he may, in addition to as otherwise provided by law, be ordered to active duty for such period that, when added to the period he served on active duty as a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, equals two years.
(e) Aviation cadet applicants
(f) Elected officials
(g) Ministers of religion and students preparing for ministry
(1) Regular or duly ordained ministers of religion, as defined in this chapter, shall be exempt from training and service, but not from registration, under this chapter.
(2) Students preparing for the ministry under the direction of recognized churches or religious organizations, who are satisfactorily pursuing full-time courses of instruction in recognized theological or divinity schools, or who are satisfactorily pursuing full-time courses of instruction leading to their entrance into recognized theological or divinity schools in which they have been preenrolled, shall be deferred from training and service, but not from registration, under this chapter. Persons who are or may be deferred under the provisions of this subsection shall remain liable for training and service in the Armed Forces under the provisions of section 3803(a) of this title until the thirty-fifth anniversary of the date of their birth. The foregoing sentence shall not be construed to prevent the exemption or continued deferment of such persons if otherwise exempted or deferrable under any other provision of this Act.
(h) Persons employed in occupations necessary to national health, safety, or interest
(i) High school students
(1) Any person who is satisfactorily pursuing a full-time course of instruction at a high school or similar institution of learning and is issued an order for induction shall, upon the facts being presented to the local board, have his induction postponed (A) until the time of his graduation therefrom, or (B) until he attains the twentieth anniversary of his birth, or (C) until he ceases satisfactorily to pursue such course of instruction, whichever is the earliest. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any person who attains the twentieth anniversary of his birth after beginning his last academic year of high school shall have his induction postponed until the end of that academic year if and so long as he continues to pursue satisfactorily a full-time course of instruction.
(2) Any person who while satisfactorily pursuing a full-time course of instruction at a college, university, or similar institution is ordered to report for induction under this chapter, shall, upon the appropriate facts being presented to the local board, have his induction postponed (A) until the end of the semester or term, or academic year in the case of his last academic year, or (B) until he ceases satisfactorily to pursue such course of instruction, whichever is the earlier.
(j) Persons conscientiously opposed to war
(k) Cessation of cause for exemption or deferment
(l) Absence of parental consent
(m) Conviction of a criminal offense
(n) Review of occupational deferment
(o) Person with father, mother, brother, or sister killed or in missing status while servingExcept during the period of a war or a national emergency declared by Congress, no person may be inducted for training and service under this chapter unless he volunteers for such induction—
(1) if the father or the mother or a brother or a sister of such person was killed in action or died in line of duty while serving in the Armed Forces after December 31, 1959, or died subsequent to such date as a result of injuries received or disease incurred in line of duty during such service, or
(2) during any period of time in which the father or the mother or a brother or a sister of such person is in a captured or missing status as a result of such service.
As used in this subsection, the term “brother” or “sister” means a brother of the whole blood or a sister of the whole blood, as the case may be.
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 6, 62 Stat. 609; Sept. 27, 1950, ch. 1059, § 1(6), 64 Stat. 1074; June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(l)–(q), 65 Stat. 83; June 30, 1955, ch. 250, title I, § 101, 69 Stat. 223; Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 665, § 3(b)–(d), 69 Stat. 603, 604; Pub. L. 85–62, §§ 6, 7, June 27, 1957, 71 Stat. 208; Pub. L. 85–722, Aug. 21, 1958, 72 Stat. 711; Pub. L. 87–378, § 1, Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 87–536, July 18, 1962, 76 Stat. 167; Pub. L. 88–110, § 2, Sept. 3, 1963, 77 Stat. 134; Pub. L. 88–360, July 7, 1964, 78 Stat. 296; Pub. L. 90–40, § 1(4)–(7), June 30, 1967, 81 Stat. 100–102, 104; Pub. L. 91–604, § 15(b)(8)(B), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1712; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(10)–(22), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 349–351; Pub. L. 93–638, title I, § 104(c), formerly § 105(c), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2208, renumbered § 104(c), Pub. L. 100–472, title II, § 203(a), Oct. 5, 1988, 102 Stat. 2290; Pub. L. 94–106, title VIII, § 802(d), Oct. 7, 1975, 89 Stat. 537; Pub. L. 96–584, § 3(a), Dec. 23, 1980, 94 Stat. 3377; Pub. L. 98–525, title XV, § 1531, Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2631; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1677(f), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3020; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(e)(11)(C), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2315; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, § 515(g)(3)(A), (h), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3236, 3237.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3806

§ 3807. Bounties for induction; substitutes; purchase of release

No bounty may be paid to induce any person to be inducted into an armed force. A clothing allowance authorized by law is not a bounty for the purposes of this section. No person liable for training and service under this Act may furnish a substitute for that training or service. No person may be enlisted, inducted, or appointed in an armed force as a substitute for another. No person liable for training and service under section 3803 of this title may escape that training and service or be discharged before the end of his period of training and service by paying money or any other valuable thing as consideration for his release from that training and service or liability therefor.

(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 8, 62 Stat. 614; Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, § 22(d), 70A Stat. 630.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3807

§ 3808. Separation from service
(a) Certificate recording proficiency and merit; physical examination
(b) Right to vote; manner; poll tax
(c) Reports on separated personnel
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 9, 62 Stat. 614; Sept. 27, 1950, ch. 1059, § 1(7)–(10), 64 Stat. 1074; June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(s), 65 Stat. 86; July 12, 1955, ch. 327, 69 Stat. 295; July 9, 1956, ch. 523, § 1, 70 Stat. 509; Pub. L. 86–632, § 1, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 467; Pub. L. 87–391, Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 821; Pub. L. 90–491, § 1, Aug. 17, 1968, 82 Stat. 790; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(23), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 93–508, title IV, § 405, Dec. 3, 1974, 88 Stat. 1600; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(e)(11)(D), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2315.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3808

§ 3809. Selective Service System
(a) Establishment; construction; appointment of Director; termination and reestablishment of Office of Selective Service Records
(1) There is established in the executive branch of the Government an agency to be known as the Selective Service System, and a Director of Selective Service who shall be the head thereof.
(2) The Selective Service System shall include a national headquarters, at least one State headquarters in each State, Territory, and possession of the United States, and in the District of Columbia, and the local boards, appeal boards, and other agencies provided for in subsection (b)(3) of this section.
(3) The Director shall be appointed by the President.
(4) The functions of the Office of Selective Service Records (established by the Act of March 31, 1947) and of the Director of the Office of Selective Service Records are transferred to the Selective Service System and the Director of Selective Service, respectively. The personnel, property, records, and unexpended balances (available or to be made available) of appropriations, allocations, and other funds of the Office of Selective Service Records are transferred to the Selective Service System. The Office of Selective Service Records shall cease to exist upon the taking effect of the provisions of this chapter: Provided, That, effective upon the termination of this chapter and notwithstanding such termination in other respects, (A) the said Office of Selective Service Records is reestablished on the same basis and with the same functions as obtained prior to June 24, 1948, (B) said reestablished Office shall be responsible for liquidating any other outstanding affairs of the Selective Service System, and (C) the personnel, property, records, and unexpended balances (available or to be made available) of appropriations, allocations, and other funds of the Selective Service System shall be transferred to such reestablished Office of Selective Service Records.
(b) Administrative provisions
The President is authorized to undertake the following:
(1) To prescribe the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(2) To appoint, upon recommendation of the respective governor or comparable executive official, a State director of the Selective Service System for each headquarters in each State, Territory, and possession of the United States and for the District of Columbia, who shall represent the governor and be in immediate charge of the state headquarters of the Selective Service System: Provided, That no State director shall serve concurrently in an elected or appointed position of a State or local government; to employ such number of civilians, and, subject to subsection (e), to order to active duty with their consent and to assign to the Selective Service System such officers of the selective-service section of the State headquarters and headquarters detachments and such other officers of the federally recognized National Guard of the United States or other armed forces personnel (including personnel of the reserve components thereof), as may be necessary for the administration of the national and of the several State headquarters of the Selective Service System.
(3) To create and establish within the Selective Service System civilian local boards, civilian appeal boards, and such other civilian agencies, including agencies of appeal, as may be necessary to carry out its functions with respect to the registration, examination, classification, selection, assignment, delivery for induction, and maintenance of records of persons registered under this chapter, together with such other duties as may be assigned under this chapter: Provided, That no person shall be disqualified from serving as a counselor to registrants, including service as Government appeal agent, because of his membership in a Reserve component of the Armed Forces. He shall create and establish one or more local boards in each county or political subdivision corresponding thereto of each State, territory, and possession of the United States, and in the District of Columbia. The local board and/or its staff shall perform their official duties only within the county or political subdivision corresponding thereto for which the local board is established, or in the case of an intercounty board, within the area for which such board is established, except that the staffs of local boards in more than one county of a State or comparable jurisdiction may be collocated or one staff may serve local boards in more than one county of a State or comparable jurisdiction when such action is approved by the Governor or comparable executive official or officials. Each local board shall consist of three or more members to be appointed by the President from recommendations made by the respective Governors or comparable executive officials. In making such appointments after September 28, 1971, the President is requested to appoint the membership of each local board so that to the maximum extent practicable it is proportionately representative of the race and national origin of those registrants within its jurisdiction, but no action by any local board shall be declared invalid on the ground that any board failed to conform to any particular quota as to race or national origin. No citizen shall be denied membership on any local board or appeal board on account of sex. After December 31, 1971, no person shall serve on any local board or appeal board who has served on any local board or appeal board for a period of more than 20 years. Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, an intercounty local board consisting of at least one member from each component county or corresponding subdivision may, with the approval of the Governor or comparable executive official or officials, be established for an area not exceeding five counties or political subdivisions corresponding thereto within a State or comparable jurisdiction when the President determines, after considering the public interest involved, that the establishment of such local board area will result in a more efficient and economical operation. Any such intercounty local board shall have within its area the same power and jurisdiction as a local board has in its area. A local board may include among its members any citizen otherwise qualified under Presidential regulations, provided he is at least eighteen years of age. No member of any local board shall be a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, but each member of any local board shall be a civilian who is a citizen of the United States residing in the county or political subdivision corresponding thereto in which such local board has jurisdiction, and each intercounty local board shall have at least one member from each county or political subdivision corresponding thereto included within the intercounty local board area. Such local boards, or separate panels thereof each consisting of three or more members, shall, under rules and regulations prescribed by the President, have the power within the respective jurisdictions of such local boards to hear and determine, subject to the right of appeal to the appeal boards herein authorized, all questions or claims with respect to inclusion for, or exemption or deferment from, training and service under this chapter, of all individuals within the jurisdiction of such local boards. The decisions of such local board shall be final, except where an appeal is authorized and is taken in accordance with such rules and regulations as the President may prescribe. There shall be not less than one appeal board located within the area of each Federal judicial district in the United States and within each Territory and possession of the United States, and such additional separate panels thereof, as may be prescribed by the President. Appeal boards within the Selective Service System shall be composed of civilians who are citizens of the United States and who are not members of the armed forces. The decision of such appeal boards shall be final in cases before them on appeal unless modified or changed by the President. The President, upon appeal or upon his own motion, shall have power to determine all claims or questions with respect to inclusion for, or exemption or deferment from training and service under this chapter, and the determination of the President shall be final. No judicial review shall be made of the classification or processing of any registrant by local boards, appeal boards, or the President, except as a defense to a criminal prosecution instituted under section 3811 of this title, after the registrant has responded either affirmatively or negatively to an order to report for induction or for civilian work in the case of a registrant determined to be opposed to participation in war in any form: Provided, That such review shall go to the question of the jurisdiction herein reserved to local boards, appeal boards, and the President only when there is no basis in fact for the classification assigned to such registrant. No person who is a civilian officer, member, agent, or employee of the Office of Selective Service Records or the Selective Service System, or of any local board or appeal board or other agency of such Office or System, shall be excepted from registration or deferred or exempted from training and service, as provided for in this chapter, by reason of his status as such civilian officer, member, agent, or employee.
(4) To appoint, and to fix, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, the basic pay of such officers, agents, and employees as he may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, however, any officer of the armed forces or any officer or employee of any department or agency of the United States who may be assigned or detailed to any office or position to carry out the provisions of this chapter (except to offices or positions on local boards or appeal boards established or created pursuant to subsection (b)(3)) may serve in and perform the functions of such office or position without loss of or prejudice to his status as such officer in the armed forces or as such officer or employee in any department or agency of the United States.
(5) To utilize the services of any or all departments and any and all officers or agents of the United States, and to accept the services of all officers and agents of the several States, Territories, and possessions, and subdivisions thereof, and the District of Columbia, and of private welfare organizations, in the execution of this chapter.
(6) To purchase such printing, binding, and blank-book work from public, commercial, or private printing establishments or binderies upon orders placed by the Director of the Government Publishing Office or upon waivers issued in accordance with section 504 of title 44, and to obtain by purchase, loan, or gift such equipment and supplies for the Selective Service System, as he may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, with or without advertising or formal contract.
(7) To prescribe eligibility, rules, and regulations governing the release for service in the armed forces, or for any other special service established pursuant to this chapter, of any person convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.
(8) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for such purpose, to procure such space as he may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and the Act of March 31, 1947.
(9) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for such purposes, to determine the location of such additional temporary installations as he may deem essential; to utilize and enlarge such existing installations; to construct, install, and equip, and to complete the construction, installation, and equipment of such buildings, structures, utilities, and appurtenances (including the necessary grading and removal, repair or remodeling of existing structures and installations), as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter; and, in order to accomplish the purpose of this chapter, to acquire lands, and rights pertaining thereto, or other interests therein, for temporary use thereof, by donation or lease, and to prosecute construction thereon prior to the approval of the chapter by the Attorney General as required by sections 3111 and 3112 of title 40.
(10) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for such purposes, to utilize, in order to provide and furnish such services as may be deemed necessary or expedient to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, such personnel of the armed forces and of Reserve components thereof with their consent, and such civilian personnel, as may be necessary. For the purposes of this chapter, the provisions of section 14 of the Federal Employees’ Pay Act of 1946 (Public Law 390, Seventy-ninth Congress) with respect to the maximum limitations as to the number of civilian employees shall not be applicable to the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, or the Department of the Air Force.
(c) Delegation of President’s authority
(d) Acceptance of gifts and voluntary services
(e) Assignment of armed forces personnel
(f) Settlement of travel claims, etc.
(g) Reports to Congress
(h) Maintenance of System after institution of all volunteer program for meeting manpower needs
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 10, 62 Stat. 618; Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, title XI, § 1106(a), 63 Stat. 972; June 30, 1950, ch. 445, § 3, 64 Stat. 319; Sept. 27, 1950, ch. 1059, § 3(b), 64 Stat. 1074; June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(u), 65 Stat. 87; Pub. L. 90–40, § 1(8)–(10), June 30, 1967, 81 Stat. 104, 105; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(24)–(29), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 351, 352; Pub. L. 93–176, § 3, Dec. 5, 1973, 87 Stat. 693; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 507(d), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2919; Pub. L. 97–60, title II, § 208, Oct. 14, 1981, 95 Stat. 1008; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 234, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2031; Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title VII, § 715, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1113; Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title X, § 1091, Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1486; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title IV, § 414, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2508; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title X, § 1062(o)(2), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2652; Pub. L. 112–166, § 2(c)(3), Aug. 10, 2012, 126 Stat. 1284; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(l), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1956; Pub. L. 113–235, div. H, title I, § 1301(d), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2537.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3809

§ 3810. Emergency medical care

Under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the President, funds available to carry out the provisions of this chapter shall also be available for the payment of actual and reasonable expenses of emergency medical care, including hospitalization, of registrants who suffer illness or injury, and the transportation and burial of the remains of registrants who suffer death, while acting under orders issued under the provisions of this chapter, but such burial expenses shall not exceed the maximum that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may pay under the provisions of section 2303 of title 38 regarding veterans described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2) of such section in any one case.

(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 11, 62 Stat. 621; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(30), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 352; Pub. L. 102–54, § 13(t), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 282; Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(2), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 116–315, title II, § 2202(b)(2), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4985.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3810

§ 3811. Offenses and penalties
(a) In general
(b) Making or possession of false identification or representation; forgery, destruction, or mutilation of certificate; knowing violation or evasion of provisions
(c) Expeditious prosecution by Department of Justice
(d) Statute of limitations
(e) Information furnished for purpose of enforcement
(f) Assistance provided under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965; failure to register; statement of compliance
(1) Except as provided in subsection (g), any person who is required under section 3802 of this title to present himself for and submit to registration under such section and fails to do so in accordance with any proclamation issued under such section, or in accordance with any rule or regulation issued under such section, shall be ineligible for any form of assistance or benefit provided under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.].
(2) In order to receive any grant, loan, or work assistance under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), a person who is required under section 3802 of this title to present himself for and submit to registration under such section shall file with the institution of higher education which the person intends to attend, or is attending, a statement of compliance with section 3802 of this title and regulations issued thereunder.
(3) The Secretary of Education, in agreement with the Director, shall prescribe methods for verifying such statements of compliance filed pursuant to paragraph (2). Such methods may include requiring institutions of higher education to provide a list to the Secretary of Education or to the Director of persons who have submitted such statements of compliance.
(4) The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Director, shall issue regulations to implement the requirements of this subsection. Such regulations shall provide that any person to whom the Secretary of Education proposes to deny assistance or benefits under title IV [20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.] for failure to meet the registration requirements of section 3802 of this title and regulations issued thereunder shall be given notice of the proposed denial and shall have a suitable period (of not less than thirty days) after such notice to provide the Secretary with information and materials establishing that he has complied with the registration requirement under section 3802 of this title. Such regulations shall also provide that the Secretary may afford such person an opportunity for a hearing to establish his compliance or for any other purpose.
(g) Failure to register; termination or inapplicability of requirement; absence of knowledge and willfulness
A person may not be denied a right, privilege, or benefit under Federal law by reason of failure to present himself for and submit to registration under section 3802 of this title if—
(1) the requirement for the person to so register has terminated or become inapplicable to the person; and
(2) the person shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the failure of the person to register was not a knowing and willful failure to register.
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 12, 62 Stat. 622; Pub. L. 89–152, Aug. 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 586; Pub. L. 90–40, § 1(11), June 30, 1967, 81 Stat. 105; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(31), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 352; Pub. L. 97–86, title IX, § 916(b), Dec. 1, 1981, 95 Stat. 1129; Pub. L. 97–252, title XI, § 1113(a), Sept. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 748; Pub. L. 98–620, title IV, § 402(54), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3361; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, § 1366, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 4002.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3811

§ 3812. Nonapplicability of certain laws
(a) Certain provisions in title 18 or Act August 2, 1939
(b) Administrative Procedure Act
(c) Certain provisions of Act June 16, 1936, or Act August 4, 1942; computation of lump-sum payments
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 13, 62 Stat. 623; June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(t), 65 Stat. 87; Pub. L. 88–110, § 6, Sept. 3, 1963, 77 Stat. 136; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(32), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 353.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3812

§ 3813. Notice of requirements of this chapter; voluntary enlistments unaffected
(a) Deeming of notice upon publication
(b) Duty to inform local board of current address and changes in status
(c) Separability of provisions
(d) Voluntary enlistments or reenlistments; absence of affect
(e) Furnishing of names and addresses to Secretary of Defense or Secretary of Homeland Security
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 15, 62 Stat. 624; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(33), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 353; Pub. L. 97–86, title IX, § 916(c), Dec. 1, 1981, 95 Stat. 1129; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(e)(11)(E), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2316.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3813

§ 3814. Definitions
When used in this chapter—
(a) The term “between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six” shall refer to men who have attained the eighteenth anniversary of the day of their birth and who have not attained the twenty-sixth anniversary of the day of their birth; and other terms designating different age groups shall be construed in a similar manner.
(b) The term “United States”, when used in a geographical sense, shall be deemed to mean the several States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
(c) The term “armed forces” shall be deemed to include the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard.
(d) The term “district court of the United States” shall be deemed to include the courts of the United States for the Territories and possessions of the United States.
(e) The term “local board” shall be deemed to include an intercounty local board in the case of any registrant who is subject to the jurisdiction of an intercounty local board.
(f) The term “Director” shall be deemed to mean the Director of the Selective Service System.
(g)
(1) The term “duly ordained minister of religion” means a person who has been ordained, in accordance with the ceremonial, ritual, or discipline of a church, religious sect, or organization established on the basis of a community of faith and belief, doctrines and practices of a religious character, to preach and to teach the doctrines of such church, sect, or organization and to administer the rites and ceremonies thereof in public worship, and who as his regular and customary vocation preaches and teaches the principles of religion and administers the ordinances of public worship as embodied in the creed or principles of such church, sect, or organization.
(2) The term “regular minister of religion” means one who as his customary vocation preaches and teaches the principles of religion of a church, a religious sect, or organization of which he is a member, without having been formally ordained as a minister of religion, and who is recognized by such church, sect, or organization as a regular minister.
(3) The term “regular or duly ordained minister of religion” does not include a person who irregularly or incidentally preaches and teaches the principles of religion of a church, religious sect, or organization and does not include any person who may have been duly ordained a minister in accordance with the ceremonial, rite, or discipline of a church, religious sect or organization, but who does not regularly, as a bona fide vocation, teach and preach the principles of religion and administer the ordinances of public worship as embodied in the creed or principles of his church, sect, or organization.
(h) The term “organized unit”, when used with respect to a reserve component, shall be deemed to mean a unit in which the members thereof are required satisfactorily to participate in scheduled drills and training periods as prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.
(i) The term “reserve components of the armed forces” shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to include the federally recognized National Guard of the United States, the federally recognized Air National Guard of the United States, the Officers’ Reserve Corps, the Regular Army Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, the Enlisted Reserve Corps, the Navy Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, and the Coast Guard Reserve, and shall include, in addition to the foregoing, the Public Health Service Reserve when serving with the armed forces.
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 16, 62 Stat. 624; Sept. 27, 1950, ch. 1059, § 1(12), (13), 64 Stat. 1074; June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(v), 65 Stat. 87; Pub. L. 86–70, § 36, June 25, 1959, 73 Stat. 150; Pub. L. 86–624, § 39, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 422; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(34), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 353; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, § 515(g)(3)(B), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3236.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3814

§ 3815. Repeals; appropriations; termination date
(a) Except as provided in this chapter all laws or any parts of laws in conflict with the provisions of the chapter are repealed to the extent of such conflict.
(b) There are authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. All funds appropriated for the administrative expenses of the National Security Training Commission shall be appropriated directly to the Commission and all funds appropriated to pay the expenses of training carried out by the military departments designated by the Commission shall be appropriated directly to the Department of Defense.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, no person shall be inducted for training and service in the Armed Forces after July 1, 1973, except persons now or hereafter deferred under section 3806 of this chapter after the basis for such deferment ceases to exist.
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 17, 62 Stat. 625; June 23, 1950, ch. 351, 64 Stat. 254; June 30, 1950, ch. 445, § 1, 64 Stat. 318; June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(w), 65 Stat. 87; June 30, 1955, ch. 250, title I, § 102, 69 Stat. 224; Pub. L. 86–4, § 1, Mar. 23, 1959, 73 Stat. 13; Pub. L. 88–2, § 1, Mar. 28, 1963, 77 Stat. 4; Pub. L. 90–40, § 1(12), June 30, 1967, 81 Stat. 105; Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(35), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 353.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3815

§ 3816. Utilization of industry
(a) Placement of orders; Congressional action: notification of committees of certain proposed payment orders, resolution of disapproval, continuity of session, computation of period; “small business” defined
(b) Precedence of Government placed orders
(c) Failure to give precedence; Government possessionIn case any person with whom an order is placed pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) refuses or fails—
(1) to give such order such precedence with respect to all other orders (Government or private) theretofore or thereafter placed with such person as the President may have prescribed;
(2) to fill such order within the period of time prescribed by the President or as soon thereafter as possible as determined by the President;
(3) to produce the kind or quality of articles or materials ordered; or
(4) to furnish the quantity, kind, and quality of articles or materials ordered at such price as shall be negotiated between such person and the Government agency concerned; or in the event of failure to negotiate a price, to furnish the quantity, kind, and quality of articles or materials ordered at such price as he may subsequently be determined to be entitled to receive under subsection (d);
the President is authorized to take immediate possession of any plant, mine, or other facility of such person and to operate it, through any Government agency, for the production of such articles or materials as may be required by the Government.
(d) Payment of compensation by United States
(e) Application of Federal and State laws governing employees
(f) Penalties
(g) “Person” and “Government agency” defined
(1) As used in this section—
(A) The term “person” means any individual, firm, company, association, corporation, or other form of business organization.
(B) The term “Government agency” means any department, agency, independent establishment, or corporation in the Executive branch of the United States Government.
(2) For the purposes of this section, a plant, mine, or other facility shall be deemed capable of producing any articles or materials if it is then producing or furnishing such articles or materials or if the President after consultation with and receiving advice from the National Security Resources Board determines that it can be readily converted to the production or furnishing of such articles or materials.
(h) Rules and regulations governing steel industry; mandatory
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 18, 62 Stat. 625; Pub. L. 93–155, title VIII, § 807(d), Nov. 16, 1973, 87 Stat. 616; Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XIII, § 1303(c), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1669.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3816

§ 3817. Savings provision

Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to amend any provision of the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 495) [50 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.].

(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 19, 62 Stat. 627.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3817

§ 3818. Effective date

This chapter shall become effective immediately; except that unless the President, or the Congress by concurrent resolution, declares a national emergency after June 24, 1948, no person shall be inducted or ordered into active service without his consent under this chapter within ninety days after June 24, 1948.

(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 20, 62 Stat. 627; Sept. 27, 1950, ch. 1059, § 1(14), 64 Stat. 1074; Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, § 53, 70A Stat. 641.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3818

§ 3819. Authority of President to order Reserve components to active service; release from active duty; retention of unit organizations and equipment

Until July 1, 1953, and subject to the limitations imposed by section 2 of the Selective Service Act of 1948, as amended,1

1 See References in Text note below.
the President shall be authorized to order into the active military or naval service of the United States for a period of not to exceed twenty-four consecutive months, with or without their consent, any or all members and units of any or all Reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States and retired personnel of the Regular Armed Forces. Unless he is sooner released under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned, any member of the inactive or volunteer reserve who served on active duty for a period of 12 months or more in any branch of the Armed Forces between the period December 7, 1941, and September 2, 1945, inclusive, who is now or may hereafter be ordered to active duty pursuant to this section, shall upon completion of 17 or more months of active duty since June 25, 1950, if he makes application therefor to the Secretary of the branch of service in which he is serving, be released from active duty and shall not thereafter be ordered to active duty for periods in excess of 30 days without his consent except in time of war or national emergency hereafter declared by the Congress: Provided, That the foregoing shall not apply to any member of the inactive or volunteer reserve ordered to active duty whose rating or specialty is found by the Secretary of the military department concerned to be critical and whose release to inactive duty prior to the period for which he was ordered to active duty would impair the efficiency of the military department concerned.

The President may retain the unit organizations and the equipment thereof, exclusive of the individual members thereof, in the active Federal service for a total period of five consecutive years, and upon being relieved by the appropriate Secretary from active Federal service, National Guard, or Air National Guard units, shall, insofar as practicable, be returned to their National Guard or Air National Guard status in their respective States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, with pertinent records, colors, histories, trophies, and other historical impedimenta.

(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 21, as added June 30, 1950, ch. 445, § 2, 64 Stat. 318; amended June 19, 1951, ch. 144, title I, § 1(x), 65 Stat. 87; July 7, 1952, ch. 584, § 1, 66 Stat. 440.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3819

§ 3820. Procedural rights
(a) It is hereby declared to be the purpose of this section to guarantee to each registrant asserting a claim before a local or appeal board, a fair hearing consistent with the informal and expeditious processing which is required by selective service cases.
(b) Pursuant to such rules and regulations as the President may prescribe—
(1) Each registrant shall be afforded the opportunity to appear in person before the local or any appeal board of the Selective Service System to testify and present evidence regarding his status.
(2) Subject to reasonable limitations on the number of witnesses and the total time allotted to each registrant, each registrant shall have the right to present witnesses on his behalf before the local board.
(3) A quorum of any local board or appeal board shall be present during the registrant’s personal appearance.
(4) In the event of a decision adverse to the claim of a registrant, the local or appeal board making such decision shall, upon request, furnish to such registrant a brief written statement of the reasons for its decision.
(June 24, 1948, ch. 625, title I, § 22, as added Pub. L. 92–129, title I, § 101(a)(36), Sept. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 353.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3820