Title 10Armed ForcesRelease 119-73

§671b Members: service extension when Congress is not in session

Title 10 › Subtitle Subtitle A— - General Military Law › Part PART II— - PERSONNEL › Chapter CHAPTER 39— - ACTIVE DUTY › § 671b

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

After Congress adjourns, if in the national interest the President may let the Secretary extend military service for up to six months when it would end before the 30th day after Congress convenes. The extension ends on the 60th day after Congress convenes or earlier by law, Executive order, or Secretary.

Full Legal Text

Title 10, §671b

Armed Forces — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when the President determines that the national interest so requires, he may, if Congress is not in session, having adjourned sine die, authorize the Secretary of Defense to extend for not more than six months enlistments, appointments, periods of active duty, periods of active duty for training, periods of obligated service, or other military status, in any component of the armed forces, that expire before the thirtieth day after Congress next convenes or reconvenes.
(b)An extension under this section continues until the sixtieth day after Congress next convenes or reconvenes or until the expiration of the period of extension specified by the Secretary of Defense, whichever occurs earlier, unless sooner terminated by law or Executive order.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1989—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–189 substituted “armed forces” for “Armed Forces of the United States”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

10 U.S.C. § 671b

Title 10Armed Forces

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73