Reserve components: transfers

A person who would otherwise be required to be transferred to a reserve component under section 651 of this title or under the Military Selective Service Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.), is entitled, if he is qualified and accepted, to be enlisted in any armed force that he chooses and to participate in the programs authorized for that armed force. However, unless the two Secretaries concerned consent, he may not be enlisted as a Reserve of an armed force other than that from which he is transferred. All periods of his participation shall be credited against the total period of service required of him under section 651 of this title or under the Military Selective Service Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.). However, no period may be credited more than once.

( Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041 , 70A Stat. 18 , § 512; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 511(15) , Dec. 12, 1980 , 94 Stat. 2921 ; renumbered § 12104, Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1662(b)(2) , Oct. 5, 1994 , 108 Stat. 2989 ; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title X, § 1081(b)(1)(A)(viii) , Dec. 23, 2016 , 130 Stat. 2418 .)