John Kerry was a member of the Naval Reserves until 1978!

Self ^ | 7 March 2004 | Self

[An.American.Expatriate]

According to the Boston Globe, John Kerry was discharged from the Naval Reserves on 16 February 1978!!

Although not on active duty, he retained his commission as an officer.

Can anyone get this out to the talk-shows??

[NativeNewYorker]

This was not "negotiating," this was "aid and comfort for the enemy!"

Democrat treason is now a "dog bites man" story.

[PatrickHenry]

I was wondering if the ucmj could still be used against him?

Interesting question. Article 43 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) says there is no statute of limitations for death-pentalty charges. But it's doubtful that Kerry's activities would result in such a charge.

Here's a website with the whole Uniform Code. Click on "Trial Procedure" and it's section 843.

[BlueNgold]

An officer often retains his commision in an 'inactive' status. I still hold mine without any drill requirements. There are several levels of reserve status.

Freegards .. BNG

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

No doubt, let's see Johnbo justify his time and pay records. Since he was such a diehard naysayer about Bush's service even after all records were released, let's see Kerry defend his.

The Purple Hearts that he was awarded were bogus (his worst injury took him out of action for 2 days). His other awards are suspicious, and JFKerry hasn't authorized release of his records like GW Bush did. I have no respect for Ted Kennedy's golden boy who went to VietNam for 4 months, messed around in the bush away from the action, then brought home a bunch of fraudulent medals so that he could throw it back in the face of the military. What a scumbag.

[MindBender26]

...which makes him all the more frightening to MOR voters.

[El Gato]

The more intersting question by far would be his activities with the peace groups after returning from Vietnam. If he still had his commision at that point he was dishonoring his uniform.

If his activities had been confined to domestic protests and other political actions, there would be no legal problem. Doing it outside the country, and arguing on the side of his country's enemies, might be a different matter.

Both Kerrey and Klinton claimed to idolize JF Kennedy, but as much as I would disaggree with JF Kennedy's policies, neither of them is worthy to take out his bedpan. You didn't seem him over arguing in favor of the minor allies of the Nazies, nor even of their former allies the Communists, like both JF'nK or WJBC. He certainly didn't go to Berlin or Toyko like WJBC

[El Gato]

But you neglected this part: "The Ready Reserve consists of the Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve and Inactive National Guard.". Those serving out a military service committement, which IIRC was only 6 years in those days, not 8 as now, *may* be assigned to the Selected Reserve (active Reserve and Guard) but only on a voluntary basis, otherwise they would be assigned to IRR, which has no inactice duty (drill) or active duty for training requirements.

[El Gato]

Since you were an officer, maybe you know the answer to this . . . does a commission "expire"?

In general no. One resigns it, or keeps it. If you keep it for very long in the IRR, they will transfer you to what is called ISRL (inactive status reserve list) from which returning to active reserve status is very difficult. I almost got to that point, but then applied for an active (Cat B, 12 drills/6 weekends per year and 12-14 days Active Duty for training per year) IMA (individual mobilization augmentee) reserve slot.

[El Gato]

Technically, no. He was never charged and convicted for aiding the enemy, was he?. I agree 100% that he is guilty of the crime. Doesn't do any good, if he hasn't been prosecuted, though. Like I said in another reply.

The 14th amendment provision doesn't say anything about bein tried and convicted, does it?

[El Gato]

He still had his base 8 year service commitment required for Officers to complete,

Yes, but '68 to '78 is 10 years. With that 2 year gap. I don't understand the gap, but maybe somehow it accounts for the extra 2 years. It's not supposed to work that way, but when the brother of a martyered President, who himself is a US Senator, is pulling strings for you, many things are possible.

[CyberAnt]

Hmmm? Does this mean Kerry was a member of the Naval Reserve WHILE HE WAS GOING ALL OVER AMERICA PROTESTING AGAINST VIETNAM ..?? I thought the war ended somewhere around 1971-72. Do we have an actual timeline on this issue ..??

[Turbo Pig]

The 14th amendment provision doesn't say anything about being tried and convicted, does it?

No it doesn't. If you want to play it literally, then you are wrong that he is guilty of aiding the enemy, because he is currently serving in Congress. He has been for the last how many years? He could not have served in Congress that long without out someone, anyone saying something about this and getting him the boot....right?

In all seriousness, aiding the enemy is a chargeable offense both in federal law and under the UCMJ (Uniform Code Of Military Justice) You have to be charged with, and convicted of the crime in order for the section/article in question to take effect. If you don't have the weight of law behind something like this, then all you have to base things on is opinions.

Start living life based solely off opinions, then you start "feeling" that things are right or wrong, instead of knowing.

[kabar]

Kerry joined in 1966.

[kabar]

The Vietnam War ended officially in 1975. Essentially, all US troops were gone by the end of 1973.

[CyberAnt]

Thanks!

[helpmycountry]

do you know if we can get our hands on papers showing John Kerry was dishonorable discharged and the papers be real