The Oath of Exit Act would create a new optional oath for military members to take when they leave active service, recognizing their shared military experiences and commitment to fellow veterans. The bill establishes a specific separation oath that veterans can recite voluntarily before retirement or discharge (except those separated through court-martial), emphasizing ongoing bonds with fellow service members and a commitment to their own physical and mental well-being. The legislation is motivated by concerns about high suicide rates among veterans—approximately 20 per day according to Department of Veterans Affairs data—and aims to reinforce a sense of continued duty and mutual support within the veteran community. The bill amends federal law to authorize military officers or other appropriate officials to administer this new oath alongside the existing enlistment oath. There is no specific funding allocated to implement this bill, as it primarily involves modifying existing military separation procedures to include an additional voluntary ceremonial step.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.