They got a pension?
The reference to a pension I made was a generality. 3 Passes of grade usually took anywhere from 6 to 12 years. Add that with a previously normal progression through the ranks and the 20 year mark was easily attained.
Plus, depending on the severity of the fitness report and a request to CMC a delayed release till pension was usally granted. Remember, these aren't shitbirds. Just a single stain on an otherwise superb career will do it.
Reading about but not seeing kerry's fitness reports, it sounds like he's lucky he got out without brig time.
Nah, the report isn't that bad. What it shows to me is that Kerry was a marginal officer, unlikely to do serious harm if kept out of further combat, a body to fill an 0-2 slot at a time when the Navy needed lots of very junior officers. What I find curious is that he was marked down for military appearance and bearing, and was later an Admiral's aide. Aides to flag officers in any service are ususally very squared away, they type they put on recruiting posters.