CHAPTER 1203—ENLISTED MEMBERS

        

§12101. Definition

In this chapter, the term "enlistment" means original enlistment or reenlistment.

(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1662(b)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2988.)

Effective Date

Chapter effective Dec. 1, 1994, except as otherwise provided, see section 1691 of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.

§12102. Reserve components: qualifications

(a) To become an enlisted member of a reserve component a person must be enlisted as a Reserve of an armed force and subscribe to the oath prescribed by section 502 of this title, or be transferred to that component according to law. In addition, to become an enlisted member of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States, he must meet the requirements of section 12107 of this title.

(b) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary concerned shall prescribe physical, mental, moral, professional, and age qualifications for the enlistment of persons as Reserves of the armed forces under his jurisdiction. However, no person may be enlisted as a Reserve unless—

(1) he is a citizen of the United States or has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.); or

(2) he has previously served in the armed forces or in the National Security Training Corps.

(c) A person who is otherwise qualified, but who has a physical defect that the Secretary concerned determines will not interfere with the performance of the duties to which that person may be assigned, may be enlisted as a Reserve of any armed force under the jurisdiction of that Secretary.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 17, §510; Pub. L. 88–236, Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 474; Pub. L. 90–130, §1(2), Nov. 8, 1967, 81 Stat. 374; Pub. L. 90–623, §2(3), Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1314; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, §511(13), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2921; renumbered §12102 and amended Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §§1631(a), 1662(b)(2), 1675(a), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2964, 2989, 3017; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(a)(5)(A), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 495.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
510(a) 510(b)   510(c)   510(d)	50:952 (less proviso). 50:941(a) (as applicable to enlistments). 50:941(b) (as applicable to enlistments). 50:956 (as applicable to enlistments).	July 9, 1952, ch. 608, §§217 (less (c), as applicable to enlistments), 228 (less proviso), 232 (as applicable to enlistments), 66 Stat. 486, 488, 489.

In subsection (a), the last sentence is inserted to reflect sections 3261 and 8261 of this title.

In subsection (b), the word "However" is substituted for the words "Subject to the limitation that". The words "as Reserves in the armed forces under his jurisdiction" are substituted for the words "of Reserve members of the Armed Forces of the United States". The words "its Territories" are omitted as surplusage, since citizens of the Territories are citizens of the United States.

In subsection (c), the words "armed force concerned" are substituted for the words "of the appropriate Armed Force of the United States". The words "in which she previously served satisfactorily" are substituted for the words "satisfactorily held by her".

In subsection (d), the words "under the jurisdiction of that Secretary" are inserted for clarity. The words "general or special" are omitted as surplusage.

References in Text

The Immigration and Nationality Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is act June 27, 1952, ch. 477, 66 Stat. 163, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 12 (§1101 et seq.) of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1101 of Title 8 and Tables.

Amendments

1996—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 104–106 made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 103–337, §1631(a). See 1994 Amendment note below.

1994—Pub. L. 103–337, §1662(b)(2), renumbered section 510 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–337, §1675(a), substituted "12107" for "3261 or 8261".

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 103–337, §1631(a), as amended by Pub. L. 104–106, redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which read as follows: "Women may be enlisted as Reserves of the armed forces. Women are enlisted in the grades and ratings authorized for enlisted women of the regular component of the armed force concerned. Any female former enlisted member of an armed force may, if otherwise qualified, be enlisted as a Reserve of that armed force in the highest grade or rating in which she previously served satisfactorily on active duty (other than for training)."

1980—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 96–513 substituted "the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.)" for "chapter 12 of title 8".

1968—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 90–623 substituted "section 502" for "section 501".

1967—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–130 struck out provision limiting the reserve components in which women may be enlisted as Reserves of the armed forces to the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve.

1963—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 88–236 substituted "he is a citizen of the United States or has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under chapter 12 of title 8" for "he is, or has made a declaration of intention to become, a citizen of the United States or of a possession thereof".

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective as if included in the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of Pub. L. 103–337, as enacted on Oct. 5, 1994, see section 1501(f)(3) of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by sections 1662(b)(2) and 1675(a) of Pub. L. 103–337 effective Dec. 1, 1994, except as otherwise provided, and amendment by section 1631(a) of Pub. L. 103–337 effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691 of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–513 effective Dec. 12, 1980, see section 701(b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 90–623 intended to restate without substantive change the law in effect on Oct. 22, 1968, see section 6 of Pub. L. 90–623, set out as a note under section 5334 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Treatment of Single Parents Enlisting in Reserve Components of the Armed Forces

Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title V, §523, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3871, as amended by Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title V, §503, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1085; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title V, §504, Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1437, which provided that, in determining under section 510 [now 12102] of title 10 whether a person who is applying to enlist in a reserve component of the Armed Forces upon discharge or release from active duty is qualified for enlistment as a Reserve of an Armed Force, the Secretary concerned may not disqualify the person because the person is a single parent if the person is otherwise qualified for enlistment, the person became a single parent while serving on active duty, and the person's status as a single parent was not a factor in the person's discharge or release from active duty, with provision that the requirements imposed with respect to parenthood not be more stringent than those imposed on a member who becomes a single parent during the term of the member's enlistment, and with provision defining "single parent" as a person who is not married and who has custody of a child under the age of 18 pursuant to a court order, expired on Sept. 30, 1991.

Cross References

National Security Training Corps, see section 454 of Title 50, Appendix, War and National Defense.

§12103. Reserve components: terms

(a) Except as otherwise prescribed by law, enlistments as Reserves are for terms prescribed by the Secretary concerned. However, an enlistment that is in effect at the beginning of a war or of a national emergency declared by Congress, or entered into during such a war or emergency, and that would otherwise expire, continues in effect until the expiration of six months after the end of that war or emergency, whichever is later, unless sooner terminated by the Secretary concerned.

(b) Under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, and by the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, a person who is qualified for enlistment for active duty in an armed force, and who is not under orders to report for induction into an armed force under the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.), may be enlisted as a Reserve for service in the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve, for a term of not less than six years nor more than eight years. Each person enlisted under this subsection shall serve—

(1) on active duty for a period of not less than two years; and

(2) the rest of his period of enlistment as a member of the Ready Reserve.

(c) In time of war or of national emergency declared by Congress the term of service of an enlisted member transferred to a reserve component according to law, that would otherwise expire, continues until the expiration of six months after the end of that war or emergency, whichever is later, unless sooner terminated by the Secretary concerned.

(d) Under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, a non-prior-service person who is qualified for induction for active duty in an armed force and who is not under orders to report for induction into an armed force under the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.), except as provided in section 6(c)(2)(A)(ii) and (iii) of such Act, may be enlisted in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, or as a Reserve for service in the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve, for a term of not less than six years nor more than eight years. Each person enlisted under this subsection shall perform an initial period of active duty for training of not less than twelve weeks to commence insofar as practicable within 270 days after the date of that enlistment.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 18, §511; Pub. L. 85–861, §1(8), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1439; Pub. L. 88–110, §3, Sept. 3, 1963, 77 Stat. 135; Pub. L. 90–168, §2(11), Dec. 1, 1967, 81 Stat. 523; Pub. L. 94–106, title VIII, §802(a), Oct. 7, 1975, 89 Stat. 537; Pub. L. 95–485, title IV, §405(c)(1), Oct. 20, 1978, 92 Stat. 1615; Pub. L. 96–107, title VIII, §805(a), Nov. 9, 1979, 93 Stat. 812; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, §511(14), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2921; Pub. L. 97–252, title XI, §1115(a), Sept. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 750; Pub. L. 97–295, §1(6), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1289; Pub. L. 98–94, title X, §1022(a)(1), Sept. 24, 1983, 97 Stat. 670; renumbered §12103, Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1662(b)(2), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2989.)

Historical and Revision Notes
1956 Act

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
511(a) 511(b)	50:951 (less (c)). 50:951(c).	July 9, 1952, ch. 608, §227, 66 Stat. 488.

In subsection (a), the first sentence is substituted for 50:951(a). The words "as Reserves in the Armed Forces of the United States" and "the existence of" are omitted as surplusage.

In subsections (a) and (b), the word "hereafter" is omitted as surplusage. The words "the expiration of" are inserted for clarity.

In subsection (b), the word "continues" is substituted for the words "shall * * * be extended".

1958 Act

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
511(b)	50:1012.	Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 665, §2(i) (1st 2 pars.), 69 Stat. 600.

In subsection (b), the words "respectively, pursuant to the provisions of this section" are omitted as surplusage. The words "as a Reserve for service" are inserted to reflect section 510 of this title. The last six words of the first sentence are substituted for 50:1012(b) (1st sentence).

References in Text

The Military Selective Service Act, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (d), is act June 24, 1948, ch. 625, 62 Stat. 604, as amended, which is classified principally to section 451 et seq. of Title 50, Appendix, War and National Defense. Section 6 of the Act is classified to section 456 of Title 50, Appendix. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see References in Text note set out under section 451 of Title 50, Appendix, and Tables.

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–337 renumbered section 511 of this title as this section.

1983—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–94, §1022(a)(1)(A), substituted "not less than six years nor more than eight years" for "six years".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 98–94, §1022(a)(1)(B), substituted "not less than six years nor more than eight years" for "six years".

1982—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–295 substituted "(50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.)" for "(50 U.S.C. App. 451–473)" after "Military Selective Service Act".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–252 extended to 270 from 180 days requirement for commencement of initial period of active duty for training after date of enlistment.

1980—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 96–513 substituted "Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.)" for "Military Selective Service Act of 1967 (50 App. U.S.C. 451–473)".

1979—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 96–107 struck out requirement that a non-prior-service person be under 26 years of age.

1978—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–485, in provision preceding cl. (1), substituted "the Secretary of Defense, and by the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy" for "the Secretary concerned" and "the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451–473)" for "sections 451–473 of title 50, appendix", in cl. (1), substituted "not less than two years; and" for "two years;", struck out former cl. (2), requiring a person enlisted under this subsec. to serve satisfactorily as a member of the Ready Reserve for a period which when added to his active duty under cl. (1) totals five years, redesignated former cl. (3) as (2), and in cl. (2) as so redesignated, substituted "Ready Reserve" for "Standby Reserve".

1975—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–106 reduced initial period of active duty for training for persons enlisted under this subsection from four months to twelve weeks.

1967—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 90–168 substituted the Secretary of Transportation for the Secretary of the Treasury as the prescribing authority for regulations covering the Coast Guard when not operating as part of the Navy, inserted exception as provided in section 6(c)(2)(A)(ii) and (iii) of the Military Selective Service Act of 1967, added requirement that the initial period of four months' service commence insofar as practicable within 180 days after the date of enlistment, and struck out provision that the remainder of the period of service after the initial period of four months be served, subject to section 269(e)(4) of this title, as a member of the Ready Reserve.

1963—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 88–110 added subsec. (d).

1958—Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 85–861, §1(8)(A), added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c).

Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Section 1022(a)(2) of Pub. L. 98–94 provided that: "The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply only with respect to persons who enlist under the authority of subsection (b) or (d) of section 511 [now 12103] of title 10, United States Code, 60 or more days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 24, 1983]."

Effective Date of 1982 Amendment

Section 1115(b) of Pub. L. 97–252 provided that: "The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall be effective with respect to persons enlisting in a reserve component of the Armed Forces after the end of the ninety-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 8, 1982]."

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–513 effective Dec. 12, 1980, see section 701(b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 1979 Amendment

Section 805(c) of Pub. L. 96–107 provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 651 of this title] shall apply only to individuals who become members of an Armed Force after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 9, 1979]."

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Section 405(c)(2) of Pub. L. 95–485 provided that: "The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall not apply with respect to a person who enlisted as a Reserve for service in the Armed Forces under section 511(b) [now 12103(b)] of title 10, United States Code, before the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 20, 1978]."

Effective Date of 1967 Amendment

For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 90–168, see section 7 of Pub. L. 90–168, set out as a note under section 138 of this title.

Cross References

Extension of enlistment term of officer candidates, see section 12209 of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in title 5 section 2108; title 14 section 713; title 37 section 205; title 38 sections 3002, 3202, 3452, 3501; title 50 App. section 456.

§12104. Reserve components: transfers

(a) A person who would otherwise be required to be transferred to a reserve component under section 651 of this title or under the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.), is entitled, if he is qualified and accepted, to be enlisted in any armed force that he chooses and to participate in the programs authorized for that armed force. However, unless the two Secretaries concerned consent, he may not be enlisted as a Reserve of an armed force other than that from which he is transferred. All periods of his participation shall be credited against the total period of service required of him under section 651 of this title or under the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.). However, no period may be credited more than once.

(b) A person covered by subsection (a) shall perform the rest of his required term of service in the armed force in which he is so enlisted or in any other armed force in which he is later enlisted or appointed.

(c) This section does not change any term of service under an appointment, enlistment, or agreement, including an agreement made before or at the time when the member entered upon a program authorized by an armed force.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 18, §512; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, §511(15), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2921; renumbered §12104, Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1662(b)(2), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2989.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
512(a)     512(b)	50:929(a) (less 2d sentence, as applicable to enlistments). 50:929(a) (2d sentence, as applicable to enlistments).	July 9, 1952, ch. 608, §209 (as applicable to enlistments), 66 Stat. 484.
512(c)	50:929(b) (as applicable to enlistments).

In subsection (a), the words "is entitled * * * to be enlisted in any armed force that he chooses" are substituted for the words "shall * * * be permitted to enlist * * * in such Armed Force of the United States as he may elect". The second sentence is substituted for 50:929(a) (words within parentheses). The words "of an Armed Force of the United States" are omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (b), the word "rest" is substituted for the words "remaining period". The words "be required to" are omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (c), the words "This section does not" are substituted for the words "Nothing in this section shall be construed". The word "change" is substituted for the words "reduce, limit, or modify". The words "which any person may undertake to perform" are omitted as surplusage.

References in Text

The Military Selective Service Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is act June 24, 1948, ch. 625, 62 Stat. 604, as amended, which is classified principally to section 451 et seq. of Title 50, Appendix, War and National Defense. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see References in Text note set out under section 451 of Title 50, Appendix, and Tables.

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–337 renumbered section 512 of this title as this section.

1980—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96–513 substituted "the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.)" for "sections 451–473 of title 50, appendix" wherever appearing.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–513 effective Dec. 12, 1980, see section 701(b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Cross References

Active duty agreements, see sections 12311, 12312 of this title.

§12105. Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve: transfer from Guard components

(a) Under such regulations as the Secretary concerned may prescribe—

(1) an enlisted member of the Army National Guard of the United States may be transferred in grade to the Army Reserve; and

(2) an enlisted member of the Air National Guard of the United States may be transferred in grade to the Air Force Reserve.

(b) Upon such a transfer, the member transferred is eligible for promotion to the highest regular or reserve grade ever held by him in the Army, if transferred under subsection (a)(1), or the Air Force, if transferred under subsection (a)(2), if his service has been honorable.

(c) A transfer under this section may only be made with the consent of the governor or other appropriate authority of the State concerned.

(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1662(b)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2988.)

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3259 and 8259 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1662(b)(3).

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in title 32 section 323.

§12106. Army and Air Force Reserve: transfer to upon withdrawal as member of National Guard

(a) An enlisted member of the Army National Guard of the United States who ceases to be a member of the Army National Guard becomes a member of the Army Reserve unless he is also discharged from his enlistment as a Reserve.

(b) An enlisted member of the Air National Guard of the United States who ceases to be a member of the Air National Guard becomes a member of the Air Force Reserve unless he is also discharged from his enlistment as a Reserve.

(c) An enlisted member who becomes a member of the Army Reserve or the Air Force Reserve under this section ceases to be a member of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States, as the case may be.

(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1662(b)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2989.)

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3260 and 8260 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1662(b)(3).

§12107. Army National Guard of United States; Air National Guard of the United States: enlistment in

(a) Except as provided in subsection (c), to become an enlisted member of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States, a person must—

(1) be enlisted in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be;

(2) subscribe to the oath set forth in section 304 of title 32; and

(3) be a member of a federally recognized unit or organization of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be, in the grade in which he is to be enlisted as a Reserve.

(b)(1) Under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Army, a person who enlists in the Army National Guard, or whose term of enlistment in the Army National Guard is extended, shall be concurrently enlisted, or his term of enlistment shall be concurrently extended, as the case may be, as a Reserve of the Army for service in the Army National Guard of the United States.

(2) Under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Air Force, a person who enlists in the Air National Guard, or whose term of enlistment in the Air National Guard is extended, shall be concurrently enlisted, or his term of enlistment shall be concurrently extended, as the case may be, as a Reserve of the Air Force for service in the Air National Guard of the United States.

(c)(1) A member of the Army Reserve who enlists in the Army National Guard in his reserve grade, and is a member of a federally recognized unit or organization of the Army National Guard, becomes a member of the Army National Guard of the United States and ceases to be a member of the Army Reserve.

(2) A member of the Air Force Reserve who enlists in the Air National Guard in his reserve grade, and is a member of a federally recognized unit or organization of the Air National Guard, becomes a member of the Air National Guard of the United States and ceases to be a member of the Air Force Reserve.

(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1662(b)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2989.)

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 3261 and 8261 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, §1662(b)(3).

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 12102 of this title.