Ok. First of all, DD214's are not granted to Guardsmen or Reservists when they seperate. There is another form, and I forget the number. But a DD214 is only given to reservists and guardsmen after completing an active duty tour of service that lasts for more than 30 consecutive days. If Kerry was in the Reserves, and was not activated during that time, he would not have gotten a DD214. However, he would have had to recieve a DD214 when he transferred from Active Duty to the Naval Reserve.
Second...general discharges are granted for a variety of circumstances. While I am not proud of it, I was given a General Discharge after not showing up for my Annual Tour for the National Guard. It was a stupid mistake on my part. I was young and dumb, but I got demoted and my Commander gave me the option of sticking it out or applying for a General Discharge under Honorable conditions. Because my ego was bigger than my brain, I did the latter.
In the end, and at no request from me, I was granted an Honorable Discharge after my IRR committment ended. I am still not sure why, but I got the paperwork three years ago stating that I was Honorably Discharged. I, unlike Kerry, am willing to admit my stupid mistakes.
But the fact is, this is very plausible. I would know better than most due to my circumstances when I seperated from the service. I can't say I believe it, but it is plausible.
(For the record...I spent several months trying to get back in the service after 9/11. I was willing to do my part. However, they had a recruiting boom and no more room for me when I tried.)
In any event...that's how the General Discharge works.
Jay, that is simply false. Guard and reserve guys sign DD-214's every time they are released from active status. This is a fact, I've done it as a Guardsmanand I'm looking at my last one as I type this.