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Defining Armed Forces in State Policy

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Key Message

States can minimize disruptions in state benefits and services, for eligible service members and dependents, by clearly defining “armed forces” in state policy and adopting the most current definition of “armed forces,” which includes the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard.

Analysis

States provide an array of programs and services to members of the armed forces and their dependents. However, eligibility depends on how the state defines “armed forces.”

Insights

Title 10 United States Code, Section 101, states that the term “armed forces” means Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard. It identifies the “uniformed services” as the armed forces, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps and the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service.

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