10 U.S.C. § 7448 (ARMED FORCES)
§ 7448. Cadets: service obligation
(a) Each cadet shall sign an agreement with respect to the cadet’s length of service in the armed forces. The agreement shall provide that the cadet agrees to the following:
(1) That the cadet will complete the course of instruction at the Academy.
(2) That upon graduation from the Academy the cadet—
(A) will accept an appointment, if tendered, as a commissioned officer of the Regular Army or the Regular Air Force; and
(B) will serve on active duty for at least five years immediately after such appointment.
(3) That if an appointment described in paragraph (2) is not tendered or if the cadet is permitted to resign as a regular officer before completion of the commissioned service obligation of the cadet, the cadet—
(A) will accept an appointment as a commissioned officer as a Reserve for service in the Army Reserve or the Air Force Reserve; and
(B) will remain in that reserve component until completion of the commissioned service obligation of the cadet.
(4) That if an appointment described in paragraph (2) or (3) is tendered and the cadet participates in a program under section 2121 of this title, the cadet will fulfill any unserved obligation incurred under this section on active duty, regardless of the type of appointment held, upon completion of, and in addition to, any service obligation incurred under section 2123 of this title for participation in such program.
(5) That the cadet may not obtain employment as a professional athlete until two years after the cadet graduates from the Academy.
(b)
(1) Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary of the Army may transfer to the Army Reserve, and may order to active duty for such period of time as the Secretary prescribes (but not to exceed four years), a cadet who breaches an agreement under subsection (a). The period of time for which a cadet is ordered to active duty under this paragraph may be determined without regard to section 651(a) of this title.
(2) A cadet who is transferred to the Army Reserve under paragraph (1) shall be transferred in an appropriate enlisted grade or rating, as determined by the Secretary.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a cadet shall be considered to have breached an agreement under subsection (a) if the cadet is separated from the Academy under circumstances which the Secretary determines constitute a breach by the cadet of the cadet’s agreement to complete the course of instruction at the Academy and accept an appointment as a commissioned officer upon graduation from the Academy.
(4) Each academic year, the Secretary of the Army may transfer not more than five cadets, who obtain employment in violation of paragraph (5) of subsection (a), to the Selected Reserve of the Army. Each cadet so transferred shall—
(A) serve as a commissioned officer—
(i) in an appropriate grade or rating, determined by the Secretary of the Army; and
(ii) for a period, determined by the Secretary of the Army, not longer than 10 years; and
(B) while so serving, participate in efforts to recruit and retain members of the armed forces.
(c) The Secretary of the Army shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. Those regulations shall include—
(1) standards for determining what constitutes, for the purpose of subsection (b), a breach of an agreement under subsection (a);
(2) that a cadet who obtains employment as a professional athlete—
(A) in violation of paragraph (5) of subsection (a) has breached an agreement under such subsection unless such cadet receives a transfer under paragraph (4) of subsection (b); and
(B) at least two years after the cadet graduates from the Academy has not breached an agreement under subsection (a);
(3) procedures for determining whether such a breach has occurred; and
(4) standards for determining the period of time for which a person may be ordered to serve on active duty under subsection (b).
(d) In this section, the term “commissioned service obligation”, with respect to a cadet, means the period beginning on the date of the cadet’s appointment as a commissioned officer and ending on the sixth anniversary of such appointment or, at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense, any later date up to the eighth anniversary of such appointment.
(e)
(1) This section does not apply to a cadet who is not a citizen or national of the United States.
(2) In the case of a cadet who is a minor and who has parents or a guardian, the cadet may sign the agreement required by subsection (a) only with the consent of a parent or guardian.
(f) A cadet or former cadet who does not fulfill each term of the agreement as specified under subsection (a), or an alternative obligation imposed under subsection (b), shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section 303a(e) or 373 of title 37.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 243, § 4348; Pub. L. 88–276, § 5(a), Mar. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 153; Pub. L. 88–647, title III, § 301(9), Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1072; Pub. L. 98–525, title V, §§ 541(a), 542(b), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2529; Pub. L. 99–145, title V, § 512(a), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 623; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title V, § 511(b), title XVI, § 1622(e)(5), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1439, 1605; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title V, § 531(a), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 314; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, § 687(c)(9), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3335; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title X, § 1073(a)(29), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2474; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title V, § 554(a), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4221; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title V, § 543(a), title VI, § 618(a)(1)(K), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1395, 1426; renumbered § 7448, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 808(c)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1839; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, § 554(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1388; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title V, § 553(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2592; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title V, § 557(a), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1896; Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title V, § 556(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 878.)
text: Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section
Source (U.S. Code)
Source (Statutes at Large)
4348
10:1092c.
June 30, 1950, ch. 421, § 3, 64 Stat. 304.
The word “agreement” is substituted for the word “articles”. The words “Hereafter”, “appointed to the United States Military Academy”, “engage”, and 10:1092c (1st 25 words of clause (2)) are omitted as surplusage. The word “separated” is substituted for the words “discharged by competent authority”. The words “if he is permitted to resign” are substituted for the words “in the event of the acceptance of his resignation”, since a resignation is effective only when accepted. The first 31 words of clause (3) are substituted for 10:1092c (last 29 words of clause (3)). The last sentence is substituted for the words “with the consent of his parents or guardian if he be a minor, and if any he have”.
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2025—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 119–60 substituted “five” for “three”.
2024—Pub. L. 118–159, § 557(a)(1), substituted “service obligation” for “agreement to serve as officer” in section catchline.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 118–159, § 557(a)(2)(A), substituted “Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary of the Army” for “The Secretary of the Army”.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 118–159, § 557(a)(2)(B), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “A cadet who violates paragraph (5) of subsection (a) is not eligible for the alternative obligation under paragraph (1).”
Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 118–159, § 557(a)(3), inserted “unless such cadet receives a transfer under paragraph (4) of subsection (b)” before “; and”.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 118–159, § 557(a)(4), substituted “an alternative obligation” for “the alternative obligation”.
2022—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 117–263, § 553(a)(1), amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows: “That the cadet—
“(A) will not seek release from the cadet’s commissioned service obligation or seek or accept approval for off-duty employment while completing the cadet’s commissioned service obligation to obtain employment as a professional athlete following graduation until the cadet completes a period of at least two consecutive years of commissioned service; and
“(B) understands that the appointment alternative described in paragraph (3) will not be used to allow the cadet to obtain such employment until at least the end of that two-year period.”
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 117–263, § 553(a)(2), added par. (4).
Subsec. (c)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 117–263, § 553(a)(3), added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (3) and (4), respectively.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 117–263, § 553(a)(4), substituted “with respect to a cadet” for “with respect to an officer who is a graduate of the Academy” and “cadet’s” for “officer’s”.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 117–263, § 553(a)(5), substituted “each term” for “the terms”.
2019—Subsec. (a)(5)(A). Pub. L. 116–92 inserted “or seek or accept approval for off-duty employment while completing the cadet’s commissioned service obligation” before “to obtain employment”.
2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 4348 of this title as this section.
2017—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 115–91, § 543(a), added par. (5).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–91, § 618(a)(1)(K), inserted “or 373” before “of title 37”.
2011—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 111–383 added par. (4).
2009—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–84 substituted “subsection (a)” for “section (a)”.
2006—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–163 added subsec. (f).
1996—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 104–106 substituted “five years” for “six years”.
1989—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 101–189, § 511(b), substituted “six years” for “five years”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–189, § 1622(e)(5), inserted “the term” after “In this section,”.
1985—Pub. L. 99–145 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows:
“(a) Each cadet who is a citizen or national of the United States shall sign an agreement that he will—
“(1) unless sooner separated from the Academy, complete the course of instruction at the Academy;
“(2) accept an appointment and, unless sooner separated from the service, serve as a commissioned officer of the Regular Army or the Regular Air Force for at least the five years immediately after graduation; and
“(3) accept an appointment as a commissioned officer as a Reserve for service in the Army Reserve or the Air Force Reserve and, unless sooner separated from the service, remain therein until at least the sixth anniversary and, at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, up to the eighth anniversary of his graduation, if an appointment in the regular component of that armed force is not tendered to him, or if he is permitted to resign as a commissioned officer of that component before that anniversary.
If the cadet is a minor and has parents or a guardian, he may sign the agreement only with the consent of the parents or guardian.
“(b) A cadet who does not fulfill his agreement under subsection (a) may be transferred by the Secretary of the Army to the Army Reserve in an appropriate enlisted grade and, notwithstanding section 651 of this title, may be ordered to active duty to serve in that grade for such period of time as the Secretary prescribes but not for more than four years.”
1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–525, § 541(a), struck out “, unless sooner separated,” in introductory text before “he will”; inserted in cl. (1) “unless sooner separated from the Academy,”; and inserted “, unless sooner separated from the service,” in cls. (2) and (3).
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 98–525, § 524(b), substituted “at least the sixth anniversary and, at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, up to the eighth anniversary” for “the sixth anniversary”.
1964—Pub. L. 88–647 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 88–276 substituted “five” for “three”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2022 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title V, § 553(d), as added by Pub. L. 117–328, div. O, title II, § 202(a), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5227, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 8459 and 9448 of this title] shall only apply with respect to a cadet or midshipman who first enrolls in the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, or the United States Air Force Academy on or after June 1, 2021.”
[Pub. L. 117–328, div. O, title II, § 202(b), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5227, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [enacting section 553(d) of Pub. L. 117–263, set out above] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 [Pub. L. 117–263, approved Dec. 23, 2022] and apply as if originally included in the enactment of such Act.”
]
heading: Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title V, § 543(d), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1396, provided that: “The Secretaries of the military departments shall promptly revise the cadet and midshipman service agreements under sections 4348, 6959, and 9348 [now 7448, 8459, and 9448] of title 10, United States Code, to reflect the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 6959 and 9348 of this title]. The revised agreement shall apply to cadets and midshipmen who are attending the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, or the United States Air Force Academy on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2017] and to persons who begin attendance at such military service academies on or after that date.”
heading: Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title V, § 531(e), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 314, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 6959 and 9348 of this title] apply to persons first admitted to the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, and United States Air Force Academy after December 31, 1991.”
heading: Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
text: Amendment by section 511(b) of Pub. L. 101–189 applicable to persons who are first admitted to one of the military service academies after Dec. 31, 1991, see section 511(e) of Pub. L. 101–189, as amended, set out as a note under section 2114 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 1985 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 99–145, title V, § 512(e), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 626, provided that:
“The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) [amending this section and sections 6959 and 9348 of this title] (other than with respect to the authority of the Secretary of a military department to prescribe regulations)—
“(1) shall take effect with respect to each military department on the date on which regulations prescribed by the Secretary of that military department in accordance with subsection (d) [set out below] take effect; and
“(2) shall apply with respect to each agreement entered into under sections 4348, 6959, and 9348 [now 7448, 8459, and 9448], respectively, of title 10, United States Code, that is entered into on or after the effective date of such regulations and shall apply with respect to each such agreement that was entered into before the effective date of such regulations by an individual who is a cadet or midshipman on such date.”
heading: Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 98–525, title V, § 541(d), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2529, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 6959 and 9348 of this title] shall apply with respect to agreements entered into under section 4348, 6959, or 9348 [now 7448, 8459, or 9448] of title 10, United States Code, before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 19, 1984].”
heading: Effective Date of 1964 Amendment; Obligated Period of Service
text: Pub. L. 88–276, § 5(c), Mar. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 153, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section, sections 6959 and 9348 of this title, and section 182 of Title 14, Coast Guard] shall apply only with respect to cadets and midshipmen appointed to the service academies and the Coast Guard Academy after the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 3, 1964], and shall not affect the obligated period of service of any cadet or midshipman appointed to one of the service academies or the Coast Guard Academy on or before the date of enactment of this Act.”
heading: Regulations Implementing 1985 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 99–145, title V, § 512(d), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 626, provided that: “The Secretary of each military department shall prescribe the regulations required by section 4348(c), 6959(c), or 9348(c) [now 7448(c), 8459(c), or 9448(c)], as appropriate, of title 10, United States Code (as added by the amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c)) not later than the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 8, 1985].”
heading: Savings Provision
text: For savings provision relating to payment or repayment of any bonus, incentive pay, special pay, or similar pay obligated to be paid before Apr. 1, 2006, under a provision of this section amended by section 687(c) of Pub. L. 109–163, see section 687(f) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 510 of this title.
heading: Report on Service Academy Professional Sports Pathway
text: Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, § 564(b), (c), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 274, 275, provided that:
“(b) Report Required.—
Not later than March 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes the following information:
“(1) The name, covered Armed Force, and sport of each Service Academy graduate released or deferred from active service in order to participate in professional sports.
“(2) A description of the sports career progress of each participant, such as drafted, signed, released, or returned to service in a covered Armed Force.
“(3) A summary by participant of marketing strategy and recruiting related activities conducted.
“(4) A description by participant of the assessments conducted by the military services to determine the recruiting value associated with approved releases from active duty.
“(5) The current status of each participant, including, as appropriate, affiliated franchise.
“(c) Definitions.—
In this section:
“(1) The term ‘covered Armed Force’ means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force.
“(2) The term ‘Service Academy’ has the meaning given such term in section 347 of title 10, United States Code.”
heading: Department of Defense Policy on Service Academy and ROTC Graduates Seeking To Participate in Professional Sports Before Completion of Their Active-Duty Service Obligations
text: Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, § 533, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2206, provided that:
“(a) Policy Required.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than July 1, 2007, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe the policy of the Department of Defense on—
“(A) whether to authorize graduates of the service academies and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps to participate in professional sports before the completion of their obligations for service on active duty as commissioned officers; and
“(B) if so, the obligations for service on active duty as commissioned officers of such graduates who participate in professional sports before the satisfaction of the obligations referred to in subparagraph (A).
“(2) Review of current policies.—
In prescribing the policy, the Secretary shall review current policies, practices, and regulations of the military departments on the obligations for service on active duty as commissioned officers of graduates of the service academies and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, including policies on authorized leaves of absence and policies under excess leave programs.
“(3) Considerations.—
In prescribing the policy, the Secretary shall take into account the following:
“(A) The compatibility of participation in professional sports (including training for professional sports) with service on active duty in the Armed Forces or as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces.
“(B) The benefits for the Armed Forces of waiving obligations for service on active duty for cadets, midshipmen, and commissioned officers in order to permit such individuals to participate in professional sports.
“(C) The manner in which the military departments have resolved issues relating to the participation of personnel in professional sports, including the extent of and any reasons for, differences in the resolution of such issues by such departments.
“(D) The recoupment of the costs of education provided by the service academies or under the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program if graduates of the service academies or the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, as the case may be, do not complete the period of obligated service to which they have agreed by reason of participation in professional sports.
“(E) Any other matters that the Secretary considers appropriate.
“(b) Elements of Policy.—
The policy prescribed under subsection (a) shall address the following matters:
“(1) The eligibility of graduates of the service academies and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps for a reduction in the obligated length of service on active duty as a commissioned officer otherwise required of such graduates on the basis of their participation in professional sports.
“(2) Criteria for the treatment of an individual as a participant or potential participant in professional sports.
“(3) The effect on obligations for service on active duty as a commissioned officer of any unsatisfied obligations under prior enlistment contracts or other forms of advanced education assistance.
“(4) Any authorized variations in the policy that are warranted by the distinctive requirements of a particular Armed Force.
“(5) The eligibility of individuals for medical discharge or disability benefits as a result of injuries incurred while participating in professional sports.
“(6) A prospective effective date for the policy and for the application of the policy to individuals serving on such effective date as a commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman.
“(c) Application of Policy to Armed Forces.—
Not later than December 1, 2007, the Secretary of each military department shall prescribe regulations, or modify current regulations, in order to implement the policy prescribed by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (a) with respect to the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of such Secretary.”