50 U.S. Code § 3806 - Deferments and exemptions from training and service

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] cadets,United States Naval Academy ; cadets,United States Coast Guard Academy; midshipmen, Merchant Marine Reserve, members of theSecretary of Defense ; members of the reserve components of theCoast 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 thesection 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 thesection 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 United States: Provided, That any active duty performed prior to June 24, 1948 , by a person in the (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

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 theSeptember 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 theSeptember 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—

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

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.

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 .

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—

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;

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 ;

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.

(A) Any person, other than a person referred to in subsection (d) of this section, who— prior to the issuance of orders for him to report for induction; or

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

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 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 theCongress for such fiscal year.

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.

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.

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 thesection 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

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,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 thesection 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.

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.

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.

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 theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for at least six years, he shall, upon discharge therefrom, be tendered a commission in the appropriate reserve component of theNational 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

Fully qualified and accepted aviation cadet applicants of the Army, Navy, or Air Force who have signed an agreement of service shall, in such numbers as may be designated by the Secretary of Defense , be deferred, during the period covered by the agreement but not to exceed four months, from induction for training and service under this chapter but shall not be exempt from registration.

(f) Elected officials

The Vice President of the United States; the governors of the several States, Territories, and possessions, and all other officials chosen by the voters of the entire State, Territory, or possession; members of the legislative bodies of the United States.

(g) Ministers of religion and students preparing for ministry

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.

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 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

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection the President is authorized, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, to provide for the deferment from training and service in the section 3803(a) of this title until the thirty-fifth anniversary of the date of their birth. This proviso shall not be construed to prevent the continued deferment of such persons if otherwise deferrable under any other provisions of this Act. The President is also authorized, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, to provide for the deferment from training and service in the local board. The President may, in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, recommend criteria for the classification of persons subject to induction under this chapter, and to the extent that such action is determined by the President to be consistent with the national interest, recommend that such criteria be administered uniformly throughout theSelective Service System shall be required to postpone or defer any person by reason of his activity in study, research, or medical, dental, veterinary, optometric, osteopathic, scientific, pharmaceutical, chiropractic, chiropodial, or other endeavors found to be necessary to the maintenance of the national health, safety, or interest solely on the basis of any test, examination, selection system, class standing, or any other means conducted, sponsored, administered, or prepared by any agency or department of the Federal Government, or any private institution, corporation, association, partnership, or individual employed by an agency or department of the Federal Government.

(i) High school students

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.

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

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to require any person to be subject to combatant training and service in the religious training and belief, is conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form. As used in this subsection, the term “religious training and belief” does not include essentially political, sociological, or philosophical views, or a merely personal moral code. Any person claiming exemption from combatant training and service because of such conscientious objections whose claim is sustained by thesection 3803(b) of this title such civilian work contributing to the maintenance of the national health, safety, or interest as thesection 3811 of this title, to have knowingly failed or neglected to perform a duty required of him under this chapter. The (k) Cessation of cause for exemption or deferment

No exception from registration, or exemption or deferment from training and service, under this chapter, shall continue after the cause therefor ceases to exist.

(l) Absence of parental consent

Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one shall be discharged from service in the (m) Conviction of a criminal offense

No person shall be relieved from training and service under this chapter by reason of conviction of a criminal offense, except where the offense of which he has been convicted may be punished by death, or by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

(n) Review of occupational deferment

In the case of any registrant whose principal place of employment is located outside the appeal board area in which the local board having jurisdiction over the registrant is located, any occupational deferment made under subsection (h) of this section may, within five days after such deferment is made, be submitted for review and decision to the appeal board having jurisdiction over the area in which is located the principal place of employment of the registrant. Such decision of the appeal board shall be final unless modified or changed by the President, and such decision shall be made public.

(o) Person with father, mother, brother, or sister killed or in missing status while serving Except 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] See Transfer of Functions note below.
Termination of Induction for Training and Service

For provisions relating to termination of induction for training and service in the July 1, 1973 , see section 3815(c) of this title.

Editorial Notes References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this title”, meaning title I of act June 24, 1948, ch. 625, 62 Stat. 604, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title I to the Code, see Tables.

Act of August 5, 1954 (68 Stat. 674), referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is act Aug. 5, 1954, ch. 658, 68 Stat. 674, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 2001 et seq.) of chapter 22 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

This Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3), (b)(3), (c)(2)(A) to (D), (d)(1), (2), (g)(2), and (h), is act June 24, 1948, ch. 625, 62 Stat. 604, known as the Military Selective Service Act. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see References in Text note set out under section 3801 of this title and Tables.

Act of August 13, 1946 (60 Stat. 1057), referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is act Aug. 13, 1946, ch. 962, 60 Stat. 1057, which was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641, section 1 of which enacted Title 10,Pub. L. 88–647, § 301(17), Oct. 13, 1964 , 78 Stat. 1072, and replaced by chapters 102 and 103 of Title 10.

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 456 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–163, § 515(g)(3)(A), substituted “members of thePub. L. 109–163, § 515(h), substituted Pub. L. 109–163, § 515(h), substituted “Navy Reserve” for “Naval Reserve”.

2002—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation” in two places.

1984—Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 98–525 inserted reference to mother in cls. (1) and (2), exempting from induction any person whose mother was killed in line of duty.

1980—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 96–584 struck out minimum active duty requirement of not less than three months.

1975—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 93–638 inserted provision relating to assignment of personnel to assist Indian tribes, groups, bands or communities.

Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 94–106, in provisions relating to deferment of certain persons from induction who completed six years of active service as members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, substituted requirement of performance of active duty for training with an armed force for not less than twelve consecutive weeks during such service for requirement of performance of such active duty for not less than four consecutive months.

1971—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 92–129, § 101(a)(10), (11), inserted proviso making subject to registration an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who by reason of occupational status is subject to adjustment to non-immigrant status but who executes a waiver of all rights, privileges, exemptions, and immunities which would otherwise accrue to him as a result of that occupational status, and granting a deferment from induction to such alien for so long as such occupational status continues, and substituted “twelve months” for “eighteen months” as the period of requisite service in thePub. L. 92–129, § 101(a)(12), substituted “section 3805(a) of this title” for “section 3803(i) of this title”.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 92–129, § 101(a)(14), substituted “Secretary of Transportation” for “Secretary of the Treasury” and “section 651 of Title 10” for “section 3803(d)(3) of this title”.

Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 92–129, § 101(a)(15), reflected creation of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and transfer to such newly created Administration of former Coast and Geodetic Survey.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 92–129, § 101(a)(16), changed from an exemption to a deferment the status to be accorded divinity students, with such students to remain liable for training and service until their 35th birthday.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 92–129, § 101(a)(17), (18), struck out provisions formerly designated as par. (1) which had covered college student deferments, struck the designation “(2)” preceding the remaining provisions which had theretofore been designated par. (2), and, in such provisions, struck out reference to deferments for persons engaged in graduate study.

Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 92–129, § 101(a)(19), substituted provisions allowing a postponement of induction for high school students for provisions creating a deferment for such students and inserted provisions allowing an additional postponement of induction until the end of the academic year for high school students who turn 20 during their last year of high school provided that they continue to pursue satisfactorily a full-time course of instruction.

Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 91–129, § 101(a)(20), substituted provisions allowing a postponement of induction for college students for provisions creating a deferment for such students and struck out references to previous deferments and postponements and to the President’s former authority to allow for student deferments.

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 92–129, § 101(a)(21), substituted Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 92–129, § 101(a)(22), inserted provisions for an exemption from training and service during a period of time in which the father or aPub. L. 91–604 inserted “the Environmental Protection Agency ,” after “ Department of Justice ,”.

1967—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 90–40, § 1(5), designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted “Environmental Science Services Administration” for “Coast and Geodetic Survey”, removed commissioned officers, warrant officers, pay clerks, enlisted men, aviation cadets, and, while on active duty, members of the reserve component, of the Public Health Service from the list of enumerated personnel relieved from the registration requirement of section 3802 of this title and the training and service requirement of section 3803 of this title, added cadets,Pub. L. 90–40, § 1(4), gave standby authority to both the Governors of the individual States, in the case of the National Guard, and to the President, in the case of the other reserve components , to permit the voluntary enlistment of registrants into these components during the period following their receipt of an induction notice and the date required for their actual induction, provided that there had previously issued a proclamation that the Governor or the President is not otherwise able to maintain the personnel strengths of the respective components.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 90–40, § 1(6), established uniform criteria for all undergraduate deferments to continue only until a registrant receives a baccalaureate degree, fails to pursue a full-time course of instruction satisfactorily, or reaches the age of 24, whichever occurs first, at which point students are required to be exposed to the hazards of induction in the prime age group in the same manner as their contemporaries who had not been provided student deferments, continued the President’s wide latitude in providing deferments for graduate students in medicine, dentistry, or other subjects deemed essential to the national health, safety, or interest, continued the President’s authority to prescribe areas of deferment based upon occupations or professions essential to the national interest, and called for greater uniformity in the administration of classification criteria for persons subject to induction.

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 90–40, § 1(7), struck out provision thatDepartment of Justice when there is an appeal from a1964—Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 88–360 exempted sole surviving sons from induction in cases where the father was killed in action or in line of duty, permitted the sole surviving son to volunteer for induction, and terminated the exemption during time of war or national emergency thereafter declared by Congress .

1963—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 88–110, among other changes, authorized deferment of persons who prior to attaining age 26 and to the issuance of induction orders enlisted or accepted appointment in the Ready Reserve of any reserve component, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, and served satisfactorily, exempted such persons from induction after completing 6 years service and who during such service performed active duty for training for not less than 4 consecutive months, and struck out provisions which deferred persons who prior to attaining 18 years and 6 months of age, and prior to issuance of induction orders, enlisted or accepted appointment in anysection 1013 of this title, and exempted such persons from induction after serving 8 years in the Ready Reserve.

1962—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 87–536 inserted “Except as provided in paragraph (5),” before “upon the successful completion by any person” and added par. (5).

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 87–378, § 1(2), substituted “If, at the time of, or subsequent to, such appointment” for “If, at the time of such appointment”, changed the period of active duty for training in grade, where the armed force in which such person is commissioned does not require his service on active duty, from 6 months to a period of not less than 3 months or more than 6 months, not including duty performed under section 270(a) of Title 10,Pub. L. 85–722 added subpar. (F).

1957—Subsec. (b)(5)(E). Pub. L. 85–62, §§ 6, 9, temporarily, added subpar. (E). See Effective and Termination Dates of 1957 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 85–62, §§ 7, 9, added par. (4). See Effective and Termination Dates of 1957 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (c)(2). Act Aug. 9, 1955 , § 3(b), exempted from induction persons who have completed eight years of satisfactory service as members of anJune 30, 1955 , § 101(c), inserted provisions to exempt persons from liability for induction after attaining age 28.

Subsec. (d)(1). Act Aug. 9, 1955 , § 3(c), deferred from induction any person who agrees to remain a member of a regular or reserve component until the sixth anniversary of the receipt of a commission, provided that all qualified graduates must be tendered a commission in the appropriate reserve component, and permitted active duty for training for a period of six months upon completion of which he must serve in the component in which appointed until the eighth anniversary of the receipt of the commission.

Subsec. (d)(2). Act Aug. 9, 1955 , § 3(d), permitted deferment of commissioned officers who perform satisfactory service in an appropriate unit of the Ready Reserve.

Subsec. (h). Act June 30, 1955 , § 101(d), provided that determination of deferment shall not be based on existence of a shortage or a surplus of any agricultural commodity.

1951—Subsec. (a). Act June 19, 1951 , § 1(l), exempted Naval reserve midshipmen attending merchant marine schools and students enrolled in military colleges which have approved ROTC courses from registration and induction.

Subsec. (c). Act June 19, 1951 , § 1(m), substituted “ February 1, 1941 ” for “the effective date of this title” in par. (1), inserted “prior to the determination by the Secretary of Defense that adequate trained personnel are available to the National Guard to enable it to maintain its strength authorized by current appropriations, and prior to the issuance of orders for him to report for induction” after “six months” in par. (2)(A), and inserted “, paragraph (1) of this subsection” after “subsection (b)” in par. (2)(B).

Subsec. (d). Act June 19, 1951 , § 1(n), continued deferments to ROTC members but increased their period of service from 2 years to 6 years after receiving their commission (including 2 years active duty or 3 years active duty if financial assistance is received), authorized establishment of other training programs, and provided for the President’s deferment power.

Subsec. (h). Act June 19, 1951 , § 1(o), removed the President’s authority to defer married men who have no dependents other than a wife solely on a basis of such marriage unless extreme hardship is involved, permitted the induction of persons now deferred until the thirty-fifth anniversary of their birth should the basis for deferment terminate after their 26th birthday, and inserted “dental, optometric, osteopathic, and chiropractic” to list of endeavors which may be considered for deferment purposes.

Subsec. (i). Act June 19, 1951 , § 1(p), authorized deferment of high school and college students in lieu of postponement of induction in order to give them an opportunity to enlist in the branch of service of their choice during such deferment period.

Subsec. (j). Act June 19, 1951 , § 1(q), substituted “in lieu of such induction, be ordered by hissection 3803(b) of this title such civilian work contributing to the maintenance of the national health, safety, or interest as thesection 3811 of this title, to have knowingly failed or neglected to perform a duty required of him under this title” for “be deferred” in third sentence, and “he shall in lieu of such induction be ordered by hissection 3803(b) of this title such civilian work contributing to the maintenance of the national health, safety, or interest as thesection 3811 of this title, to have knowingly failed or neglected to perform a duty required of him under this title” for “he shall be deferred” in seventh sentence.

1950—Subsec. (b)(2). Act Sept. 27, 1950 , struck out of subpars. (A) and (B) “or the Coast Guard ”, “(or the Coast Guard )”, and “or in the Coast Guard ” wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries Change of Name

References to Naval Reserve, other than references to Naval Reserve regarding the section 515(h) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 10101 of Title 10, Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security , see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 10, Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–337 effective Dec. 1, 1994 , except as otherwise provided, see section 1691 of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of Title 10, Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply only to persons ordered to active duty for training after the effective date of this Act [ Dec. 23, 1980 ].”

Effective and Termination Dates of 1957 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 85–62 to take effect on July 1, 1957 , and terminate on July 1, 1973 , see section 9 of Pub. L. 85–62, set out as a note under section 3803 of this title.

Savings Provision; Repeal of College Student Deferment

“Notwithstanding the repeal of section 6(h)(1) of the Military Selective Service Act of 1967 [50 U.S.C. 3806(h)(1)] made by subsection (a)(17) of this section, any person (1) who is satisfactorily pursuing a full-time course of instruction at a college, university, or similar institution of higher learning, (2) who met the academic requirements of a student deferment prescribed in such section 6(h)(1), and (3) who was satisfactorily pursuing such a full-time course prior to the date of enactment of this Act [ Sept. 28, 1971 ] and during the 1970–1971 regular academic school year shall be deferred from induction for training and service in the Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard , including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security , and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002 , as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

Coast Guard transferred to Department of Transportation , and functions, powers, and duties relating to Coast Guard of Secretary of the Treasury and of all other officers and offices of Department of the Treasury transferred to Secretary of Transportation by Pub. L. 89–670, § 6(b)(1), Oct. 15, 1966 , 80 Stat. 938. Section 6(b)(2) of Pub. L. 89–670, however, provided that notwithstanding such transfer of functions, Coast Guard shall operate as part of Navy in time of war or when President directs as provided in former section 3 (now 103) of Title 14, Coast Guard .

Discharge of Surviving Sons

Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection any surviving son or sons of a family who (A) were inducted into the Military Selective Service Act of 1967 [now the Military Selective Service Act, see References in Text note set out under section 3801 of this title], (B) have not reenlisted or otherwise voluntarily extended their period of active duty in theSept. 28, 1971 ], and such son or sons could not, if they were not in theMilitary Selective Service Act as a result of the amendment made by paragraph (22) of subsection (a) of this section [amending this section], such surviving son or sons shall, upon application, be promptly discharged from the “(2)

The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply in the case of any member of the “(3)

Notwithstanding the amendment made by paragraph (22) of subsection (a) of this section [amending this section], except during the period of a war or a national emergency declared by Congress , the sole surviving son of any family in which the father or one or more sons or daughters thereof were killed in action before January 1, 1960 , or died in line of duty before January 1, 1960 , while serving in theMilitary Selective Service Act [see References in Text note set out under section 3801 of this title] unless he volunteers for induction.”

Prior Obligated Service

“This Act [amending this section, section 3812 of this title and sections 270 and 12103 of Title 10,section 1013 of this title] shall not affect any term of obligated service incurred before the effective date of this Act [ Sept. 3, 1963 ]. In addition, the enactment of this Act [ Sept. 3, 1963 ] shall not increase the minimum period of active duty or active duty for training that is required on the day before the effective date of this Act to earn an exemption from training and service under the Universal Military Training and Service Act, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.) [now 50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.], in the case of persons who entered the Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Treasury , with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Treasury with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 26 of 1950, §§ 1, 2, eff. July 31, 1950 , 15 F.R. 4935, 64 Stat. 1280, 1281, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. Functions of Coast Guard , and Commandant of Coast Guard , excepted from transfer when Coast Guard is operating as part of Navy under former sections 1 and 3 (now 101 and 103) of Title 14, Coast Guard .

Environmental Science Services Administration in Department of Commerce , including offices of Administrator and Deputy Administrator thereof, abolished by Reorg. Plan No. 4 of 1970, eff. Oct. 3, 1970 , 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, which created National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Department of Commerce and transferred personnel, property, records, and unexpended balances of funds of Environmental Science Services Administration to such newly created National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Components of Environmental Science Services Administration thus transferred included Weather Bureau [now National Weather Service], Coast and Geodetic Survey [now National Ocean Survey], Environmental Data Service, National Environmental Satellite Center, and ESSA Research Laboratories.

In order to implement the provisions of Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970, eff. Oct. 3, 1970 , 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090, the following organizational names appearing in chapter IX of subtitle B of Title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, which covers administration of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , were changed by order of Acting Associate Administrator, 35 F.R. 19249, Dec. 19, 1970 , as follows: Environmental Science Services Administration to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (ESSA to NOAA); Coast and Geodetic Survey to National Ocean Survey; and Weather Bureau to National Weather Service.

Coast and Geodetic Survey consolidated with National Weather Bureau in 1965 to form Environmental Science Services Administration by Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1965, eff. July 13, 1965 , 30 F.R. 8819, 79 Stat. 1318. Environmental Science Services Administration abolished in 1970 and its personnel, property, records, etc., transferred to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by Reorg. Plan No. 4 of 1970, eff. Oct. 3, 1970 , 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090. By order of Acting Associate Administrator of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , 35 F.R. 19249, Dec. 19, 1970 , Coast and Geodetic Survey redesignated National Ocean Survey. See notes set out under section 311 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

Functions of Public Health Service, Surgeon General of Public Health Service, and all other officers and employees of Public Health Service, and functions of all agencies of or in Public Health Service transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1966, eff. June 25, 1966 , 31 F.R. 8855, 80 Stat. 1610, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare redesignated Secretary of Health and Human Services by section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.

Delegation of Functions

Functions of President delegated to Ex. Ord. No. 11804, Sept. 16, 1974 , 39 F.R. 33299, set out under section 3811 of this title.

Program for Return of Vietnam Era Draft Evaders and Military Deserters

Proc. No. 4313, Sept. 16, 1974 , 39 F.R. 33293, 88 Stat. 2504, set out under section 3811 of this title, provided for a program for return of Vietnam era draft evaders and military deserters.

Executive Order No. 11803

Ex. Ord. No. 11803, Sept. 16, 1974 , 39 F.R. 33297, set out under section 3811 of this title, provided for review by Clemency Board of convictions of violations under subsec. (j) of this section.

Ex. Ord. No. 10028. Definition of Noncombatant Service and Noncombatant Training

1. The term “noncombatant service” shall mean (a) service in any unit of the