119-hr3640

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3640 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 3640

To amend title 10, United States Code, to establish an oath for members 
 separating from the Armed Forces.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 May 29, 2025

 Mr. Mast introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to establish an oath for members 
 separating from the Armed Forces.

 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, Space Force, and 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 
 than 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) in subsection

    (b) , by striking ``The oath'' and 
 inserting ``An oath established by this section'';

    (2) by redesignating subsection

    (b) , as amended, as 
 subsection
            (c) ; and

    (3) 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; to give help 
 to, and seek help from, my fellow veterans; and to not bring 
 harm to myself or others. 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:
``

Sec. 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.''.
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