Most commented sections:

• Paragraph 5 (46 comments)
• Paragraph 4 (7 comments)
• Paragraph 103 (7 comments)

HR 5741 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

July 15, 2010CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. RANGEL introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Universal National Service Act’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--NATIONAL SERVICE

Sec. 101. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. National service obligation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Induction to perform national service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 104. Two-year period of national service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 105. Implementation by the President.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 106. Examination and classification of persons.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 107. Deferments and postponements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 108. Induction exemptions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 109. Conscientious objection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 110. Discharge following national service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO MILITARY SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT

Sec. 201. Registration of females.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 202. Registration and induction authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--NATIONAL SERVICECommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.

In this title:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The term ‘contingency operation’ has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(13) of title 10, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The term ‘military service’ means service performed as a member of an active or reserve component of the uniformed services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The term ‘national service’ means military service or service in a civilian capacity that, as determined by the President, promotes the national defense, including national or community service and service related to homeland security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The term ‘Secretary concerned’ means the Secretary of Defense with respect to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard, the Secretary of Commerce, with respect to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with respect to the Public Health Service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The term ‘United States’, when used in a geographical sense, means the several States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The term ‘uniformed services’ means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and commissioned corps of the Public Health Service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. NATIONAL SERVICE OBLIGATION.

(a) Obligation for Service- It is the obligation of every citizen of the United States, and every other person residing in the United States, who is between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform a period of national service as prescribed in this title unless exempted under the provisions of this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Forms of National Service- The national service obligation under this title shall be performed either--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) as a member of an active or reserve component of the uniformed services; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in a civilian capacity that, as determined by the President, promotes the national defense, including national or community service and service related to homeland security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Age Limits- A person may be inducted under this title only if the person has attained the age of 18 and has not attained the age of 42.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. INDUCTION TO PERFORM NATIONAL SERVICE.

(a) Induction Requirements- The President shall provide for the induction of persons described in section 102(a) to perform their national service obligation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Limitation on Induction for Military Service- Persons described in section 102(a) may be inducted to perform military service only if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) a declaration of war is in effect;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the President declares a national emergency, which the President determines necessitates the induction of persons to perform military service, and immediately informs Congress of the reasons for the declaration and the need to induct persons for military service; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps are engaged in a contingency operation pursuant to a congressional authorization for the use of military force.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Limitation on Number of Persons Inducted for Military Service- When the induction of persons for military service is authorized by subsection (b), the President shall determine the number of persons described in section 102(a) whose national service obligation is to be satisfied through military service based on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the authorized end strengths of the uniformed services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the feasibility of the uniformed services to recruit sufficient volunteers to achieve such end-strength levels; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) provide a mechanism for the random selection of persons to be inducted to perform military service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Selection for Induction-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) RANDOM SELECTION FOR MILITARY SERVICE- When the induction of persons for military service is authorized by subsection (b), the President shall utilize a mechanism for the random selection of persons to be inducted to perform military service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CIVILIAN SERVICE- Persons described in section 102(a) who do not volunteer to perform military service or are not inducted for military service shall perform their national service obligation in a civilian capacity pursuant to section 102(b)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Voluntary Service- A person subject to induction under this title may--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) volunteer to perform national service in lieu of being inducted; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) request permission to be inducted at a time other than the time at which the person is otherwise called for induction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 104. TWO-YEAR PERIOD OF NATIONAL SERVICE.

(a) General Rule- Except as otherwise provided in this section, the period of national service performed by a person under this title shall be two years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Grounds for Extension- At the discretion of the President, the period of military service for a member of the uniformed services under this title may be extended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) with the consent of the member, for the purpose of furnishing hospitalization, medical, or surgical care for injury or illness incurred in line of duty; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) for the purpose of requiring the member to compensate for any time lost to training for any cause.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Early Termination- The period of national service for a person under this title shall be terminated before the end of such period under the following circumstances:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The voluntary enlistment and active service of the person in an active or reserve component of the uniformed services for a period of at least two years, in which case the period of basic military training and education actually served by the person shall be counted toward the term of enlistment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The admission and service of the person as a cadet or midshipman at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, or the United States Merchant Marine Academy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The enrollment and service of the person in an officer candidate program, if the person has signed an agreement to accept a Reserve commission in the appropriate service with an obligation to serve on active duty if such a commission is offered upon completion of the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Such other grounds as the President may establish.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 105. IMPLEMENTATION BY THE PRESIDENT.

(a) In General- The President shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Matter To Be Covered by Regulations- Such regulations shall include specification of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The types of civilian service that may be performed in order for a person to satisfy the person’s national service obligation under this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Standards for satisfactory performance of civilian service and of penalties for failure to perform civilian service satisfactorily.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The manner in which persons shall be selected for induction under this title, including the manner in which those selected will be notified of such selection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) All other administrative matters in connection with the induction of persons under this title and the registration, examination, and classification of such persons.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) A means to determine questions or claims with respect to inclusion for, or exemption or deferment from induction under this title, including questions of conscientious objection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Standards for compensation and benefits for persons performing their national service obligation under this title through civilian service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) Such other matters as the President determines necessary to carry out this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Use of Prior Act- To the extent determined appropriate by the President, the President may use for purposes of this title the procedures provided in the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.), including procedures for registration, selection, and induction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 106. EXAMINATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF PERSONS.

(a) Examination- Every person subject to induction under this title shall, before induction, be physically and mentally examined and shall be classified as to fitness to perform national service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Different Classification Standards- The President may apply different classification standards for fitness for military service and fitness for civilian service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 107. DEFERMENTS AND POSTPONEMENTS.

(a) High School Students- A person who is pursuing a standard course of study, on a full-time basis, in a secondary school or similar institution of learning shall be entitled to have induction under this title postponed until the person--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) obtains a high school diploma;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ceases to pursue satisfactorily such course of study; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) attains the age of 20.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Hardship and Disability- Deferments from national service under this title may be made for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) extreme hardship; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) physical or mental disability.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Training Capacity- The President may postpone or suspend the induction of persons for military service under this title as necessary to limit the number of persons receiving basic military training and education to the maximum number that can be adequately trained.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Termination- No deferment or postponement of induction under this title shall continue after the cause of such deferment or postponement ceases.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 108. INDUCTION EXEMPTIONS.

(a) Qualifications- No person may be inducted for military service under this title unless the person is acceptable to the Secretary concerned for training and meets the same health and physical qualifications applicable under section 505 of title 10, United States Code, to persons seeking original enlistment in a regular component of the Armed Forces.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Other Military Service- No person shall be liable for induction under this title who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) is serving, or has served honorably for at least six months, in any component of the uniformed services on active duty; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) is or becomes a cadet or midshipman at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, a midshipman of a Navy accredited State maritime academy, a member of the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or the naval aviation college program, so long as that person satisfactorily continues in and completes at least two years training therein.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 109. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION.

(a) Claims as Conscientious Objector- Nothing in this title shall be construed to require a person to be subject to combatant training and service in the uniformed services, if that person, by reason of sincerely held moral, ethical, or religious beliefs, is conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Alternative Noncombatant or Civilian Service- A person who claims exemption from combatant training and service under subsection (a) and whose claim is sustained by the local board shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) be assigned to noncombatant service (as defined by the President), if the person is inducted into the uniformed services; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) be ordered by the local board, if found to be conscientiously opposed to participation in such noncombatant service, to perform national civilian service for the period specified in section 104(a) and subject to such regulations as the President may prescribe.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 110. DISCHARGE FOLLOWING NATIONAL SERVICE.

(a) Discharge- Upon completion or termination of the obligation to perform national service under this title, a person shall be discharged from the uniformed services or from civilian service, as the case may be, and shall not be subject to any further service under this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Coordination With Other Authorities- Nothing in this section shall limit or prohibit the call to active service in the uniformed services of any person who is a member of a regular or reserve component of the uniformed services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO MILITARY SELECTIVE SERVICE ACTCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 201. REGISTRATION OF FEMALES.

(a) Registration Required- Section 3(a) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 453(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘male’ both places it appears;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting ‘or herself’ after ‘himself’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by striking ‘he’ and inserting ‘the person’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Conforming Amendment- Section 16(a) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 466(a)) is amended by striking ‘men’ and inserting ‘persons’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. REGISTRATION AND INDUCTION AUTHORITY.

(a) Registration- Section 4 of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 454) is amended by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) This section does not apply with respect to the induction of persons into the Armed Forces pursuant to the Universal National Service Act.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Induction- Section 17(c) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 467(c)) is amended by striking ‘now or hereafter’ and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ‘inducted pursuant to the Universal National Service Act.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink