For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply: (a) "Armed Forces" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. (b) "Military orders," with respect to a service member, means official military orders, or any notification, certification, or verification from the service member's commanding officer with respect to the service member's current or future military duty status. (c) "Military service" means, as to a member of the militia, full-time active
(a) In any action or proceeding commenced in any court, if there shall be a default of any appearance by the defendant, the plaintiff, before entering judgment shall file in the court a declaration under penalty of perjury setting forth facts showing that the defendant is not in the military service. If unable to file that declaration, the plaintiff shall, in lieu thereof, file a declaration setting forth either that the defendant is in the service or that the plaintiff is not able to determine whether