You don't know your military procedures
Reader comment on: Mystery Surrounds Kerry's Navy Discharge

Submitted by Navy LT, Mar 19, 2007 07:28

As a military officer, a board does review your record. In the Navy, unlike enlisted folk, and officer's term is considered indefinite until he or she resigns. This is done by submitting a resignation letter stating that you wish to resign your commission at the end of your active duty obligation. A month or two later, you get a response from the Secretary of the Navy stating that your resignation is either accepted or denied. At this point depending on your commissioning source, you may or may not have more time required of you that you serve out in the individual ready reserves. For example, I resigned my commission with 4 1/2 years of service. I still have 3 1/2 years of inactive service left. The total time of 8 years is what is considered to be my military service obligation. All it requires of me is that I update my personal info (address, job, etc) with the Department of the Navy and conduct an annual screening until I reach that specified date. Basically if WWIII is to happen, they can recall me.

I can appreciate a reporters zeal for what seams to be a "mystery", unfortunately this is just typical Military paperwork/formalities. Too bad this article was not well researched.

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