§101 Definitions

Revised sectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 101(1)101(2)101(3)101(4)[No source.][No source.]37:231(a), (j).37:32(a).37:231(k).Aug. 9, 1946, ch. 931, § 2 (less (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) (less last 8 words), (g), and (h)), 60 Stat. 963. 101(5)37:32(f) (less last 8 words).37:231(f).Oct. 12, 1949, ch. 681, § 102 (less (g)), 63 Stat. 804. 101(6)[No source.] 101(7)[No source.] 101(8)[No source.] 101(9)[No source.] 101(10)[No source.] 101(11)37:231(c). 101(12)37:231(d). 101(13)37:231(e), (h). 101(14)[No source.] 101(15)[No source.] 101(16)[No source.] 101(17)[No source.] 101(18)[No source.] 101(19)[No source.] 101(20)[No source.] 101(21)[No source.] 101(22)37:231(i). 101(23)37:231(b). 101(24)[No source.] The definitions in clauses (1) and (2), (6)–(10), (14)–(21), and (24) reflect the adoption of terminology which, though undefined in the source statutes restated in this revised title, represent the closest practicable approximation of the ways in which the terms defined have been most commonly used, and so far as possible are identical to those used in title 10, United States Code, containing most of the basic law relating to the armed forces. In clause (3), the words “and all Regular and Reserve components thereof”, in section 231(a) of existing title 37, are omitted as surplusage. section 231(j) of existing title 37 is omitted as covered by section 1 of title 1. In clause (4), that part of section 32(a) of existing title 37 relating other than to the enumeration of the armed forces is omitted as unnecessary. section 231(k) of existing title 37 is omitted, since throughout the revised title references to members of the Army or Air Force without specification of component are specifically included when necessary. In clause (11), the words “flight officer” are omitted as obsolete. section 231(c) (last sentence) of existing title 37 is omitted as unnecessary. In clause (12), the definition of commissioned officer is broadened and restated to conform to the definition in section 101(15) of title 10. Corresponding changes are made throughout the revised title to correspond to the definition. Clause (13), which is identical to section 101(16) of title 10, is substituted for section 231(e) of existing title 37. The words “flight officer” are omitted as obsolete. section 231(h) of existing title 37 is omitted, since the defined term is not used in the revised title. Clause (22) is substituted for section 231(i) of existing title 37. In clause (23), section 231(b) (less 1st sentence) of existing title 37 is omitted as executed by the express coverage of members of the Fleet Reserve and Fleet Marine Corps Reserve.

For definition of Canal Zone, referred to in pars. (7) and (9), see section 3602(b) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

2025—Par. (22)(A), (B). Pub. L. 119–60, § 601(a)(1), inserted “, or for members of the Space Force in space force active status not on sustained duty,” after “reserve component”. Pars. (27), (28). Pub. L. 119–60, § 601(a)(2), added pars. (27) and (28). 2021—Pars. (3), (4). Pub. L. 116–283, § 925(a)(1), inserted “Space Force,” after “Marine Corps,”. Par. (5)(C). Pub. L. 116–283, § 925(a)(2), which directed insertion of “and the Space Force” after “Air Force”, was executed by making the insertion after “Air Force” the second place appearing, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. 2006—Par. (24)(C). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted “Navy Reserve” for “Naval Reserve”. 2002—Par. (1). Pub. L. 107–314 designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B). Par. (5)(D). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”. 2001—Par. (22). Pub. L. 107–107 inserted “(except as provided in section 206(d)(2) of this title)” after “but” in concluding provisions. 1998—Par. (2). Pub. L. 105–261 struck out “the Canal Zone,” after “includes”. 1997—Par. (25). Pub. L. 105–85 substituted “basic allowance for housing” for “basic allowance for quarters (including any variable housing allowance or station housing allowance)”. 1993—Par. (26). Pub. L. 103–160 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 102–484. See 1992 Amendment note below. 1992—Par. (26). Pub. L. 102–484, as amended by Pub. L. 103–160, substituted “section 101 of title 10” for “section 101(47) of title 10”. 1991—Par. (26). Pub. L. 102–190 added par. (26). 1988—Par. (5). Pub. L. 100–456 substituted “Secretary” for “secretary” in introductory provisions. 1987—Pub. L. 100–26, § 8(e)(1)(A), substituted “the following definitions apply in this title:” for “for the purposes of this title—”. Pub. L. 100–26, § 8(e)(1)(B), inserted “The term” at beginning of pars. (1) to (25). Pub. L. 100–26, § 8(e)(1)(C), which directed that this section be amended by revising first word after open quotation marks in each paragraph (other than par. (1) and (6) through (10)) so that initial letter of such word is lowercase, was executed to par. (5) only because specified words in other pars. began with lowercase letters. Pub. L. 100–26, § 8(e)(1)(D), (E), which directed a period be substituted for the semicolon at end of pars. (1) to (24) and that “and” be struck out at end of par. (24), was executed by making the substitution in pars. (1) to (23) and by striking “and” at end of par. (23), to reflect the probable intent of Congress, because par. (24) already ended in a period and “and” appeared at end of par. (23), not par. (24). 1984—Cl. (18). Pub. L. 98–525 inserted “full-time National Guard duty,” after “annual training duty,”. 1980—Cls. (3), (5)(E). Pub. L. 96–513, § 516(1)(A), substituted “National Oceanic and Atmospheric” for “Environmental Science Services”. Cl. (5)(F). Pub. L. 96–513, § 516(1)(B), substituted “Health and Human Services” for “Health, Education, and Welfare”. Cls. (7), (9). Pub. L. 96–600 inserted references to Guam. Cl. (18). Pub. L. 96–513, § 506(1), struck out “duty on the active list,” after “and includes”. Cl. (25). Pub. L. 96–579 defined “regular compensation” or “regular military compensation (RMC)” to include with respect to basic allowance for quarters any variable housing allowance or station housing allowance. 1974—Cl. (25). Pub. L. 93–419 added cl. (25). 1972—Cls. (7), (9). Pub. L. 92–492 inserted references to Virgin Islands. 1968—Cl. (5)(D). Pub. L. 90–623 substituted “Secretary of Transportation” for “Secretary of the Treasury”. 1966—Cls. (3), (5)(E). Pub. L. 89–718 substituted “Environmental Science Services Administration” for “Coast and Geodetic Survey”.

Reference to Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service deemed to be a reference to the Ready Reserve Corps, see section 204(c)(3) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

of 2002 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

of 1997 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 105–85 effective Jan. 1, 1998, see section 603(e) of Pub. L. 105–85, set out as a note under section 5561 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

of 1980 AmendmentAmendment by section 506(1), 516(1) of Pub. L. 96–513 effective Sept. 15, 1981, and Dec. 12, 1980, respectively, see section 701(a), (b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

of 1974 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 93–419 effective Sept. 19, 1974, see section 9 of Pub. L. 93–419, set out as an

note under section 1009 of this title.

of 1968 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 90–623 intended to restate without substantive change the law in effect on Oct. 22, 1968, see section 6 of Pub. L. 90–623, set out as a note under section 5334 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

of 1981 Amendment Pub. L. 97–60, § 1, Oct. 14, 1981, 95 Stat. 989, provided: “That this Act [enacting section 308f, 315, 404a, 411c, 411d, and 411e of this title and section 4341a and 9341a of Title 10, Armed Forces, amending section 203, 301, 301a, 301b, 301c, 304, 305a, 308, 308a, 312b, 404, 405a, 406, 407, 411, 411b, 415, and 1006 of this title, section 2107, 2634, 4342, 5031, 5153, 6011, 6953, 6954, 6956, 7572, and 9342 of Title 10, and section 3809 of Title 50, War and National Defense, enacting provisions set out as notes under section 203, 301, 301a, 308, 312, 404, 404a, and 1009 of this title and section 4341a, 6011, and 7572 of Title 10, and amending a provision set out as a note under section 7572 of Title 10] may be cited as the ‘Uniformed Services Pay Act of 1981’.”

of 1980

Pub. L. 96–579, § 1, Dec. 23, 1980, 94 Stat. 3359, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 301c and 314 of this title and section 705 of Title 10, Armed Forces, amending this section, section 209, 301, 305a, 308, 312, 312b, 312c, and 403 of this title, section 520, 701, 867, 4355, 6968, and 9355 of Title 10, and section 308(9), (10) of Pub. L. 95–521, title III, Oct. 26, 1978, 92 Stat. 1861, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 301c, 305a, 312, 312b, 312c, 314, and 403 of this title and section 705 and 867 of Title 10] may be cited as the ‘Military Pay and Allowances Benefits Act of 1980’.” Pub. L. 96–343, § 1, Sept. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1123, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 5142a of Title 10, Armed Forces, amending section 203, 301, 301a, 305a, 403, 404, 411, 907, and 1006 of this title and section 1201, 1203, 3914, 3925, 3962, 5142, 5703, 5787c, 5787d, 8072, 8914, 8925, and 8962 of Title 10, enacting provisions set out as notes under section 301, 305a, 402, 403, 404, and 907 of this title and section 3914 and 3962 of Title 10, and amending provisions set out as notes under section 5707 and 8202 of Title 10] may be cited as the ‘Military Personnel and Compensation

of 1980’.” Pub. L. 96–284, § 1, June 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 587, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 302c and 303a of this title, amending sections 302 to 302b, 303, 306, 311, and 313 of this title, and enacting and repealing provisions set out as notes under section 302 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Uniformed Services Health Professionals Special Pay Act of 1980’.”

of 1976 Amendment Pub. L. 94–356, § 1, July 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 901, provided: “That this Act [enacting section 312b and 312c of this title, amending section 312 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 301 and 312 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Nuclear Career Incentive Act of 1975’.”

of 1974

of 1963 Amendment Pub. L. 88–132, § 1, Oct. 2, 1963, 77 Stat. 210, provided: “That this Act [enacting section 310 and 427 of this title and section 1401a of Title 10, Armed Forces, amending section 201, 203, 301, 302, 305, 403, and 421 of this title, section 1401, 1402, 3991, 6151, 6323, 6325 to 6327, 6381, 6383, 6390, 6394, 6396, 6398 to 6400, 6483, and 8991 of Title 10, section 423 of Title 14, Coast Guard, section 857a of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, and section 213a of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, repealing section 6149 of Title 10 and sections 2351 to 2356 of the former Appendix to Title 50, War and National Defense, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 201, 203, and 305 of this title, section 1402 of Title 10, and section 411 (now 1311) of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits] may be cited as the ‘Uniformed Services Pay Act of 1963’.”

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see section 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.