---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 1588"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "1588"
heading: "Authority to accept certain voluntary services"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/1588"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part II — Personnel"
  - "Chapter 81 — Civilian Employees"
---

# §1588. Authority to accept certain voluntary services

- (a) **Authority To Accept Services.—** Subject to [subsection (b)](#b) and notwithstanding [section 1342 of title 31](/usc/31/1342.md), the [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5) may accept from any [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) the following services:
  - (1) Voluntary medical services, dental services, nursing services, or other health-care related services.
  - (2) Voluntary services to be provided for a museum or a natural resources [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
  - (3) Voluntary services to be provided for [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) providing services to members of the [uniformed services](/usc/10/1072.md?p=1) and the families of such members, including the following [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1):
    - (A) Family support [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
    - (B) [Child](/usc/10/1072.md?p=6) development and youth services [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
    - (C) Library and education [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
    - (D) Religious [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
    - (E) Housing referral [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
    - (F) [Programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) providing employment assistance to [spouses](/usc/10/101.md?p=g-5) of such members.
    - (G) Morale, welfare, and recreation [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1), to the extent not covered by another subparagraph of this paragraph.
  - (4) Voluntary services as a member of a funeral honors detail under [section 1491 of this title](/usc/10/1491.md).
  - (5) Legal services voluntarily provided as legal assistance under [section 1044 of this title](/usc/10/1044.md).
  - (6) Voluntary services as a proctor for administration to secondary school students of the test known as the “Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery”.
  - (7) Voluntary translation or interpretation services offered with respect to a foreign language by a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) (A) who is registered for such foreign language on the National Foreign Language Skills Registry under [section 1596b of this title](/usc/10/1596b.md), or (B) who otherwise is approved to provide voluntary translation or interpretation services for [national security](/usc/10/801.md?p=16) purposes, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense.
  - (8) Voluntary services to support [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) of a committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) as authorized by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense.
  - (9) Voluntary services to facilitate accounting for [missing persons](/usc/10/1513.md?p=1).
  - (10) Voluntary legal support services provided by law students through internship and externship [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) approved by the [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5).
- (b) **Requirements and Limitations.—**
  - (1) The [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5) shall notify the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) of the scope of the services accepted.
  - (2) With respect to a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) providing voluntary services accepted under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5) shall—
    - (A) supervise the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) to the same extent as the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) would supervise a compensated employee providing similar services; and
    - (B) ensure that the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) is licensed, privileged, has appropriate credentials, or is otherwise qualified under applicable law or regulations to provide such services.
  - (3) With respect to a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) providing voluntary services accepted under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5) may not—
    - (A) place the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) in a policy-making position; or
    - (B) except as provided in [subsection (e)](#e), compensate the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) for the provision of such services.
- (c) **Authority To Recruit and Train Persons Providing Services.—** The [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5) may recruit and train [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) to provide voluntary services accepted under [subsection (a)](#a).
- (d) **Status of Persons Providing Services.—**
  - (1) Subject to [paragraph (3)](#d-3), while providing voluntary services accepted under [subsection (a)](#a) or receiving [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) under [subsection (c)](#c), a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2), other than a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) referred to in [paragraph (2)](#d-2), shall be considered to be an employee of the Federal Government only for purposes of the following provisions of law:
    - (A) Subchapter I of [chapter 81](/usc/5/chptIII/sptG/ch81.md) of title 5 (relating to compensation for work-related injuries).
    - (B) [Section 2733 of this title](/usc/10/2733.md) and [chapter 171](/usc/28/chptVI/ch171.md) of title 28 (relating to claims for damages or loss) and chapters [309](/usc/46/chstIII/ch309.md) and [311](/usc/46/chstIII/ch311.md) of title 46 (relating to claims for damages or loss on navigable waters).
    - (C) [Section 552a of title 5](/usc/5/552a.md) (relating to maintenance of [records](/usc/10/801.md?p=14) on individuals).
    - (D) [Chapter 11](/usc/18/chptI/ch11.md) of title 18 (relating to conflicts of interest).
    - (E) [Section 1054 of this title](/usc/10/1054.md) (relating to legal malpractice), for a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) voluntarily providing legal services accepted under [subsection (a)(5)](#a-5), as if the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) were providing the services as an attorney of a legal staff within the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense.
  - (2) Subject to [paragraph (3)](#d-3), while providing a nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) with voluntary services accepted under [subsection (a)](#a), or receiving [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) under [subsection (c)](#c) to provide such an instrumentality with services accepted under [subsection (a)](#a), a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) shall be considered an employee of that instrumentality only for the following purposes:
    - (A) Subchapter II of [chapter 81](/usc/5/chptIII/sptG/ch81.md) of title 5 (relating to compensation of nonappropriated fund employees for work-related injuries).
    - (B) [Section 2733 of this title](/usc/10/2733.md) and [chapter 171](/usc/28/chptVI/ch171.md) of title 28 (relating to claims for damages or loss).
  - (3) A [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) providing voluntary services accepted under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be considered to be an employee of the Federal Government under paragraph [(1)](#d-1) or [(2)](#d-2) only with respect to services that are within the scope of the services so accepted.
  - (4) For purposes of determining the compensation for work-related injuries payable under [chapter 81](/usc/5/chptIII/sptG/ch81.md) of title 5 (pursuant to this subsection) to a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) providing voluntary services accepted under [subsection (a)](#a), the monthly [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15) of the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) for such services shall be deemed to be the amount determined by multiplying—
    - (A) the average monthly number of hours that the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) provided the services, by
    - (B) the minimum wage determined in accordance with section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 ([29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)](/usc/29/206.md?p=a-1)).
- (e) **Reimbursement of Incidental Expenses.—** The [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5) may provide for reimbursement of a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) for incidental expenses incurred by the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) in providing voluntary services accepted under [subsection (a)](#a). The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) shall determine which expenses are eligible for reimbursement under this subsection. Any such reimbursement may be made from appropriated or nonappropriated funds.
- (f) **Authority To Install Equipment.—**
  - (1) The [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5) may install telephone lines and any necessary telecommunication equipment in the private residences of [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2), designated in accordance with the regulations prescribed under [paragraph (4)](#f-4), who provide voluntary services accepted under paragraph [(3)](#a-3) or [(8)](#a-8) of subsection (a).
  - (2) In the case of equipment installed under the authority of [paragraph (1)](#f-1), the [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5) may [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15) the charges incurred for the use of the equipment for authorized purposes.
  - (3) To carry out this subsection, the [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5) may use appropriated funds (notwithstanding [section 1348 of title 31](/usc/31/1348.md)) or nonappropriated funds of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) under the jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) or, with respect to the Coast Guard, the [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) in which the Coast Guard is operating.
  - (4) The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense and, with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Homeland Security shall prescribe regulations to carry out this subsection.
- (g) **Secretary Concerned for Acceptance of Services for Programs Serving Members of NOAA Corps and Their Families.—** For purposes of the acceptance of services described in [subsection (a)(3)](#a-3), the term “[Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5)” in [subsection (a)](#a) shall include the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Commerce with respect to members of the [commissioned officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-2) corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 98–94, title XII, § 1266(a), Sept. 24, 1983, 97 Stat. 704; amended Pub. L. 99–145, title XVI, § 1624(a), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 778; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, § 1355, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3996; Pub. L. 100–26, § 3(9), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 274; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, § 1634, Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1608; Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title III, § 345, Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1346; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title X, § 1061(a), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2845; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title X, § 1074(a)(8), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2659; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title III, § 371(a), title V, § 578(f), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 579, 627; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, § 583, Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1125; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(b)(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title V, § 553, title X, § 1064(b), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2552, 2654; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title V, § 516, title X, § 1081, Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1884, 2059; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title X, § 1063(a)(9), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 322; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title V, § 587(b), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1768; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, § 1043, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3493; Pub. L. 116–259, title II, § 205(b)(2), Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1167.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2020—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 116–259, § 205(b)(2)(A), substituted “uniformed services” for “armed forces” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 116–259, § 205(b)(2)(B), added subsec. (g).

2014—Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 113–291 added par. (10).

2013—Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 112–239 added par. (9).

2008—Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 110–181 substituted “chapters 309 and 311 of title 46” for “the Act of March 9, 1920, commonly known as the ‘Suits in Admiralty Act’ (41 Stat. 525; 46 U.S.C. App. 741 et seq.) and the Act of March 3, 1925, commonly known as the ‘Public Vessels Act’ (43 Stat. 1112; 46 U.S.C. App. 781 et seq.)”.

2004—Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 108–375, § 516(1), added par. (8).

Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 108–375, § 1081, inserted before period at end “and the Act of March 9, 1920, commonly known as the ‘Suits in Admiralty Act’ (41 Stat. 525; 46 U.S.C. App. 741 et seq.) and the Act of March 3, 1925, commonly known as the ‘Public Vessels Act’ (43 Stat. 1112; 46 U.S.C. App. 781 et seq.) (relating to claims for damages or loss on navigable waters)”.

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 108–375, § 516(2), substituted “paragraph (3) or (8) of subsection (a)” for “subsection (a)(3)”.

2002—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 107–314, § 553, added par. (6).

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 107–314, § 1064(b), added par. (7).

Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.

2001—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 107–107, § 583(a), added par. (5).

Subsec. (d)(1)(E). Pub. L. 107–107, § 583(b), added subpar. (E).

1999—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 106–65, § 578(f), added par. (4).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 106–65, § 371(a), added subsec. (f).

1996—Subsec. (d)(1)(C). Pub. L. 104–201 substituted “Section 552a” for “Section 522a”.

1994—Pub. L. 103–337 amended section generally, substituting subsecs. (a) to (e) for former subsecs. (a) to (c) which related to acceptance by Secretary concerned of voluntary services, status of persons providing voluntary services, and reimbursement of expenses incurred by such persons.

1991—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–190 substituted “may be made from appropriated or nonappropriated funds” for “may only be made from nonappropriated funds”.

1989—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–189 substituted “a museum, a natural resources program, or” for “a museum or”.

1987—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–26 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 99–661. See 1986 Amendment note below.

1986—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–661, as amended by Pub. L. 100–26, added subsec. (c).

1985—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–145 substituted “Secretary concerned” and “operated by the military department concerned or the Coast Guard, as appropriate” for “Secretary of a military department” and “operated by that military department”, respectively.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1987 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–26 applicable as if included in Pub. L. 99–661 when enacted on Nov. 14, 1986, see section 12(a) of Pub. L. 100–26, set out as a note under section 776 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1985 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–145, title XVI, § 1624(b), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 778, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on October 1, 1985.”

### Report on Implementation of Authority To Install Telecommunications Equipment for Persons Performing Voluntary Services

Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title III, § 371(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 579, provided that: “Not later than two years after final regulations prescribed under subsection (f)(4) of section 1588 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), take effect, the Comptroller General shall review the exercise of authority under such subsection (f) and submit to Congress a report on the findings resulting from the review.”

### Acceptance of Voluntary Services Pilot Program

Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title X, § 1061(b), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2847, required the Secretary of Defense to conduct a pilot program, for not less than six months, to evaluate the policies and procedures of the Department of Defense for the acceptance of voluntary services under this section, with a final report due to Congress no later than 60 days after the termination of the program.