U.S. CODE

U.S. Code

§ 459. Separation from service

(a) Certificate recording proficiency and merit; physical examination

Any person inducted into the armed forces under this title [sections 451 to 471a of this Appendix] for training and service, who, in the judgment of those in authority over him, satisfactorily completes his period of training and service under section 4 (b) [section 454 (b) of this Appendix] shall be entitled to a certificate to that effect upon the completion of such period of training and service, which shall include a record of any special proficiency or merit attained. In addition, each such person who is inducted into the armed forces under this title [said sections] for training and service shall be given a physical examination at the beginning of such training and service, and upon the completion of his period of training and service under this title [said sections], each such person shall be given another physical examination and, upon his written request, shall be given a statement of physical condition by the Secretary concerned: Provided, That such statement shall not contain any reference to mental or other conditions which in the judgment of the Secretary concerned would prove injurious to the physical or mental health of the person to whom it pertains: Provided further, That, if upon completion of training and service under this title [said sections], such person continues on active duty without an interruption of more than seventy-two hours as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, a physical examination upon completion of such training and service shall not be required unless it is requested by such person, or the medical authorities of the Armed Force concerned determine that the physical examination is warranted.

(b) Right to vote; manner; poll tax

Any person inducted into the armed forces for training and service under this title [sections 451 to 471a of this Appendix] shall, during the period of such service, be permitted to vote in person or by absentee ballot in any general, special, or primary election occurring in the State of which he is a resident, whether he is within or outside such State at the time of such election, if under the laws of such State he is otherwise entitled so to vote in such election; but nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require granting to any such person a leave of absence or furlough for longer than one day in order to permit him to vote in person in any such election. No person inducted into, or enlisted in, the armed forces for training and service under this title [said sections] shall, during the period of such service, as a condition of voting in any election for President, Vice President, electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Member of the House of Representatives, be required to pay any poll tax or other tax or make any other payment to any State or political subdivision thereof.

The Secretary of a military department, and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard, shall furnish to the Selective Service System hereafter established a report of separation for each person separated from active duty.

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