clifto wrote:


From the book: "John Kerry's service record indicates that on February 18,
1966, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves, status 'inactive',
not in the U.S. Navy. These details are conveniently left out of all
pro-Kerry biographies. Douglas Brinkley records that Kerry entered
Offer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island; however, again he fails
to note that Kerry was seeking to be an officer of the U.S. Naval Reserve."

So he took part in a "delayed enlistment program", where you sign up,
are placed on inactive reserve status, and several months to a year
later go to active duty. Why are these guys making such a big deal of
it?

I did that myself with the Air Force. It has the benefit of giving you
an earlier time-in-service date for promotions and stuff, and keeping
you away from the Army's draft notices. I was on inactive status with
the US Air Force Reserve from May to August, 1972, then went to basic
training and onto active duty status with the US Air Force until May,
1984 when I got out with a full 12 years time in service.

It was very commonly done, especially for someone who wanted to finish
school or something without the Army's draft hanging over your head; you
are already committed to (and on inactive reserve status with) the
branch you desired, and don't have to play games if the Army decided to
send you a notice.

Most officers become "reserve officers" and are granted an active
commission. These guys that wrote the book you are quoting from are
purely playing games with the language in an attempt to fool those who
don't know any better and make something that is common (and innocent,
and accepted) look like something sneaky and underhanded. When people
ask me I don't go into the big explanation about the delayed enlistment
and inactive reserve service; I just say that I was in the Air Force
from August 1972 to May 1984, and usually don't bother to mention that
chunk of time; it was really meaningless in a military context. The
*only* thing I did was sign a contract indicating my intent to go to
active duty at a specific date; there were no drills involved, uniforms,
haircuts, or anything else. I was still in school, then I enjoyed most
of my summer vacation before going downtoen to Whiehall Street for my
final induction.

--
Mike
NAR #70953 - Sr/HPR Level-1 ~ BEMRC - NAR Section #627
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