H.R. 3640 – Oath of Exit Act

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Updated November 24, 2025 at 12:18 AM UTC

The Oath of Exit Act would create a voluntary oath for members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard to take before they retire or otherwise separate from service, except when separated due to a court‑martial sentence. The bill adds this "Separation Oath" to Title 10 of the U.S. Code, aiming to reinforce veterans' commitment to the Constitution and encourage them to seek help and support each other after leaving the military.

Key Provisions

Amends 10 U.S.C. §502 to add a new "Separation Oath" that service members may voluntarily recite before retirement or other non‑court‑martial separation.
The oath asks the departing member to reaffirm commitment to the Constitution, support fellow veterans, maintain personal health, and avoid harming themselves or others.
Changes the wording of the existing oath provision and renumbers subsections to insert the new separation oath language.
Updates the heading of §502 and the table of sections to reflect the addition of a separation oath alongside the enlistment oath.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

May 29, 2025

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 29, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

May 29, 2025

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 29, 2025

I

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3640

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 29, 2025

Mr. Mast introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to establish an oath for members separating from the Armed Forces.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Oath of Exit Act.

2.

Establishment of separation oath for members of the Armed Forces

(a)

Findings

Congress makes the following findings:

(1)

The United States Armed Forces is the largest, all-volunteer military force in the world, yet less than one percent of the American population serves in the Armed Forces.

(2)

Each branch of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard) instills in its members a sense of duty and obligation to the United States, their branch of service, and their comrades-in-arms.

(3)

The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that approximately 20 veterans of the Armed Forces commit suicide each day, and a veteran’s risk of suicide is 21 percent higher than an adult who has not served in the Armed Forces.

(4)

The Department of Veterans Affairs is aggressively undertaking measures to prevent these tragic outcomes, yet suicide rates among veterans remain unacceptably high.

(5)

Upon enlistment or appointment in the Armed Forces, a new member is obligated to take an oath of office or oath of enlistment.

(6)

Most members of the Armed Forces view this oath not as an imposition, but as a promise that they are bound to fulfill.

(b)

Establishment of separation oath

Section 502 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (b), by striking The oath and inserting An oath established by this section;

(2)

by redesignating subsection (b), as amended, as subsection (c); and

(3)

by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection (b):

(b)

Separation oath

Prior to retirement or other separation from the armed forces, other than separation pursuant to the sentence of a court-martial, a member of an armed force may take the following oath:

I, __________, recognizing that my oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, has involved me and my fellow members in experiences that few persons, other than our peers, can understand, do solemnly swear (or affirm) to continue to be the keeper of my brothers- and sisters-in-arms and protector of the United States and the Constitution; to preserve the values I have learned; to maintain my body and my mind; to give help to, and seek help from, my fellow veterans; and to not bring harm to myself or others. I take this oath freely and without purpose of evasion, so help me God.

.

(c)

Clerical amendments

(1)

Section heading

The heading of section 502 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

502.

Enlistment oath and separation oath: who may administer

.

(2)

Table of sections

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 31 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 502 and inserting the following new item:

502. Enlistment oath and separation oath: who may administer.

.