Title 10, Armed ForcesRelease 119-110
§14901 Separation of Chaplains for Loss of Professional Qualifications
Title 10 › Subtitle E — Reserve Components › PART III — PROMOTION AND RETENTION OF OFFICERS ON THE RESERVE ACTIVE-STATUS LIST › CHAPTER 1411 — ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION › § 14901
Summary
The Secretary of Defense can set rules allowing a chaplain on reserve active-status to be discharged if they lose the qualifications to serve; that applies regardless of section 12645. If the separated chaplain is eligible for retirement, they may be retired. If they have the years for retired pay under chapter 1223, they may be moved to the Retired Reserve.
Full Legal Text
Title 10, §14901
Armed Forces, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Separation.—
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, an officer on the reserve active-status list who is appointed or designated as a chaplain may, if the officer fails to maintain the qualifications needed to perform the professional function of a chaplain, be discharged. The authority under the preceding sentence applies without regard to the provisions of section 12645 of this title.
(b)Effect of Separation.—
If an officer separated under this section is eligible for retirement, the officer may be retired. If the officer has completed the years of service required for eligibility for retired pay under chapter 1223 of this title, the officer may be transferred to the Retired Reserve.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1691(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
10 U.S.C. § 14901
Title 10, Armed Forces
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110