Opinion ID: 217946
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Feres Doctrine Background

Text: The Federal Tort Claims Act effects a broad waiver of the United States' sovereign immunity from suit for tort damages. See 28 U.S.C. § 2674. In an exception to this waiver, the FTCA withholds the United States' consent to be sued for [a]ny claim arising out of the combatant activities of the military or naval forces, or the Coast Guard, during time of war. Id. at 2680(j). In Feres, the Court expanded this exception, holding that the Government is not liable under the Federal Tort Claims Act for injuries to servicemen where the injuries arise out of or are in the course of activity incident to service. 340 U.S. at 146, 71 S.Ct. 153. The Feres doctrine has expanded over time to apply to constitutional claims brought under section 1983 and Bivens, as well as tort claims brought under the FTCA; to suits between service members, including National Guardsmen, as well as against the United States; to inactive duty service members, as well as active duty; and to intentional torts as well as negligence claims whenever a legal action would require a civilian court to examine decisions regarding management, discipline, supervision, and control of members of the armed forces. Bowen v. Oistead, 125 F.3d 800, 803-04 (9th Cir.1997) (citations and internal quotations omitted). Courts have applied the Feres doctrine in cases where two common factors have been present: One. The injured person was a member of the armed forces of the United States at the time the injury was sustained. Two. The injury must arise out of or occur in the course of activity incident to military service. McGowan, 890 F.2d at 132 (citations omitted). Because there is no dispute that Jackson was a member of the Individual Ready Reserve component of the United States Army Reserve at time of the events giving rise to his cause of action, the key inquiry before us is whether the fraudulent enlistment alleged in the complaint constitutes an activity incident to [Jackson's] military service. Id.