[CatoRenasci]

Well, 2 possiblities for "normal procedures": nonselection or simply no longer needed. The people I knew were nonselected, but I'm sure in the late '70s, there were some simply "excess to needs of service w/o critical skills" which I take yours to be.

In any event, before the boys and girls who weren't even born then go charging off with this one, these possibilities need to be examined and eliminated, unless true, in which case we should all shut up about Kerry's discharge.

[kabar]

Well, 2 possiblities for "normal procedures": nonselection or simply no longer needed. The people I knew were nonselected, but I'm sure in the late '70s, there were some simply "excess to needs of service w/o critical skills" which I take yours to be.,/i>

Correct. Kerry was a line officer and I was a Supply Officer. I had a regular commission versus Kerry's Reserve commission. Medical Officers were retained beyond the six year period. The Navy and all services were drawing down their end strength, active and reserves, after Vietnam. In fact, there was an involuntary RIF of naval officers in the early 1970s.

I agree with you that we need to be careful about running with this one. Kerry can easily knock this one out of the park and use it to discredit legitimate charges. Kerry is vulnerable in the area of his antiwar activities while still an officer in the Naval Reserves subject to recall. The revisions to his website and how he describes his service are indications that he is trying to hide his reserve status during the period 1970-2,