H. R. 3232

To amend title 10, United States Code, to establish a separation oath for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military service.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. Mast (for himself, Mr. Babin, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Valadao, Mr. Correa, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Budd, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Bishop of Michigan, Mr. Kind, Mr. Young of Alaska, Mr. Curbelo of Florida, Mrs. Murphy of Florida, Mr. Barr, Mrs. Walorski, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Stivers, Mr. Posey, Mr. Bergman, and Mr. Brown of Maryland) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to establish a separation oath for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military service.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Oath of Exit Act”.

SEC. 2. Establishment of separation oath for members of the Armed Forces.

(a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The United States Armed Forces is the largest, all-volunteer military force in the world, yet less than one percent of the American population serves in the Armed Forces.

(2) Each branch of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) instills in its members a sense of duty and obligation to the United States, their branch of service, and their comrades-in-arms.

(3) The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that approximately 20 veterans of the Armed Forces commit suicide each day and a veteran’s risk of suicide is 21 percent higher compared to an adult who has not served in the Armed Forces.

(4) The Department of Veterans Affairs is aggressively undertaking measures to prevent these tragic outcomes, yet suicide rates among veterans remain unacceptably high.

(5) Upon enlistment or appointment in the Armed Forces, a new member is obligated to take an oath of office or oath of enlistment.

(6) Most members of the Armed Forces view this oath not as an imposition, but as a promise that they are bound to fulfill.

(b) Establishment of separation oath.—Section 502 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c) and, in such subsection, by striking “The oath” and inserting “An oath established by this section”; and

(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection (b): “(b) Separation oath.—Prior to retirement or other separation from the armed forces, other than separation pursuant to the sentence of a court-martial, a member of an armed force may take the following oath: “ ‘I, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, recognizing that my oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, has involved me and my fellow members in experiences that few persons, other than our peers, can understand, do solemnly swear (or affirm) to continue to be the keeper of my brothers- and sisters-in-arms and protector of the United States and the Constitution; to preserve the values I have learned; to maintain my body and my mind; and to not bring harm to myself without speaking to my fellow veterans first. I take this oath freely and without purpose of evasion, so help me God.’

(c) Clerical amendments.—

(1) SECTION HEADING.—The heading of section 502 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“§ 502. Enlistment oath and separation oath: who may administer”.

(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 31 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 502 and inserting the following new item:

“502. Enlistment oath and separation oath: who may administer.”.