Title 10 — Armed ForcesRelease 119-73
§10103 Basic policy for order into Federal service
Title 10 › Subtitle Subtitle E— - Reserve Components › Part PART I— - ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION › Chapter CHAPTER 1003— - RESERVE COMPONENTS GENERALLY › § 10103
Summary
Congress must call up Guard and reserves when regular forces lack units for national security. They must remain active while needed.
Full Legal Text
Title 10, §10103
Armed Forces — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whenever Congress determines that more units and organizations are needed for the national security than are in the regular components of the ground and air forces, the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States, or such parts of them as are needed, together with units of other reserve components necessary for a balanced force, shall be ordered to active duty and retained as long as so needed.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 263 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, § 1661(a)(2)(A).
Amendments
1996—Pub. L. 104–106 substituted “into Federal service” for “of the National Guard and reserve components to active duty” in section catchline.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1996 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective as if included in the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of Pub. L. 103–337, as enacted on Oct. 5, 1994, see section 1501(f)(3) of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Dec. 1, 1994, except as otherwise provided, see section 1691 of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title. Ordering Ready Reserve to Active Duty During National EmergenciesFor additional provisions authorizing ordering of Ready Reserve to active duty during national emergencies, see section 12303 of this title and notes thereunder.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
10 U.S.C. § 10103
Title 10 — Armed Forces
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73