Early access: 15,547 bills from the current Congress so far, more added daily. Data from Congress.gov, GovInfo and the House and Senate vote records, updated Oct 13, 2026.
Public Law TrackerPLTPublic Law Tracker
H.R. 3838IntroducedHouseSenate · nowPresidentLawIn the Senate
Sec. 561 · H.R. 3838

Establishment of separation oath for members of the Armed Forces

Division A — Department of Defense Authorizations › Title V — Military Personnel Policy › Subtitle G — Career Transition

Read this section in the full bill →

No wording changed between Committee version and Passed the House.

How the text changed

Committee version · Sec. 561

(a) 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.. (b) Clerical amendment 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.

•HR 3838 RHSEC. 561
Passed the House · Sec. 561

(a) 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.. (b) Clerical amendment 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.

•HR 3838 EHSEC. 561

added wordsremoved wordsComparison computed by Public Law Tracker from the official text