---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 958"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "958"
heading: "Commission to serve against friendly nation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/958"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 45 — Foreign Relations"
---

# §958. Commission to serve against friendly nation


Any citizen of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) who, within the jurisdiction thereof, accepts and exercises a commission to serve a foreign prince, [state](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9), colony, district, or people, in war, against any prince, [state](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9), colony, district, or people, with whom the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) is at peace, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 745; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(I), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 21 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 9, 35 Stat. 1089).

Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

Minor changes in phraseology were made.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $2,000”.