US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 8221

Chaplains: divine services

(a)
An officer in the Chaplain Corps may conduct public worship according to the manner and forms of the church of which he is a member.
(b)
The commanders of vessels and naval activities to which chaplains are attached shall cause divine service to be performed on Sunday, whenever the weather and other circumstances allow it to be done; and it is earnestly recommended to all officers, seamen, and others in the naval service diligently to attend at every performance of the worship of Almighty God.
(c)
All persons in the Navy and in the Marine Corps are enjoined to behave themselves in a reverent and becoming manner during divine service.

Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 104170A Stat. 378Pub. L. 86–14073 Stat. 288Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(b)(7)132 Stat. 1834(, , § 6031; , , ; renumbered § 8221, , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

6031(a)

34 U.S.C. 95.

R.S. 1397.

6031(b)

34 U.S.C. 266 (1st sentence).

May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 7(d), 64 Stat. 146.

6031(c)

34 U.S.C. 266 (2d sentence).

May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 7(e), 64 Stat. 146.

6031(d)

34 U.S.C. 96.

R.S. 1398.

Act of May 5, 1950, ch. 16964 Stat. 146In subsection (c) the words “and in the Marine Corps” are added to execute the definition of “Navy” in section 1, article 1, of the , .

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 104170A Stat. 502Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1662(a)(3)108 Stat. 2988section 12001 of this titleA prior section 8221, ct , , related to authorized strength of Air Force Reserve, prior to repeal by , , . See .

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–232section 6031 of this title2018— renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 86–1401959—Subsec. (d). repealed subsec. (d) which required each chaplain to report annually to the Secretary of the Navy the official services performed by him.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–232section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see , set out as a note preceding .