Statutes, codes, and regulations
United States Code
Title 10 - ARMED FORCESSubtitle A - GENERAL MILITARY LAWPart II - PERSONNEL
Chapter 45 - THE UNIFORM
Section 774 - Religious apparel: wearing while in uniform

10 U.S.C. § 774

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Current through P.L. 118-47 (published on www.congress.gov on 03/23/2024)
Section 774 - Religious apparel: wearing while in uniform
(a) GENERAL RULE.-Except as provided under subsection (b), a member of the armed forces may wear an item of religious apparel while wearing the uniform of the member's armed force.
(b) EXCEPTIONS.-The Secretary concerned may prohibit the wearing of an item of religious apparel-
(1) in circumstances with respect to which the Secretary determines that the wearing of the item would interfere with the performance of the member's military duties; or
(2) if the Secretary determines, under regulations under subsection (c), that the item of apparel is not neat and conservative.
(c) REGULATIONS.-The Secretary concerned shall prescribe regulations concerning the wearing of religious apparel by members of the armed forces under the Secretary's jurisdiction while the members are wearing the uniform. Such regulations shall be consistent with subsections (a) and (b).
(d) RELIGIOUS APPAREL DEFINED.-In this section, the term "religious apparel" means apparel the wearing of which is part of the observance of the religious faith practiced by the member.

10 U.S.C. § 774

Added Pub. L. 100-180, div. A, title V, §508(a)(2), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1086.

EDITORIAL NOTES

PRIOR PROVISIONSA prior section 774 was renumbered section 776 of this title.

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

REGULATIONSPub. L. 100-180, div. A, title V, §508(c), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1087, directed the Secretary concerned to prescribe the regulations required by subsec. (c) of this section not later than the end of the 120-day period beginning on Dec. 4, 1987.

Secretary concerned
The term "Secretary concerned" means-(A) the Secretary of the Army, with respect to matters concerning the Army;(B) the Secretary of the Navy, with respect to matters concerning the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard when it is operating as a service in the Department of the Navy;(C) the Secretary of the Air Force, with respect to matters concerning the Air Force and the Space Force; and(D) the Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to matters concerning the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Department of the Navy.
armed forces
The term "armed forces" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard.