Kerry was AWOL from Navy Reserve service

April 25, 2003 | confidential

[waRNmother.armyboots]

John Kerry signed an agreement as part of his naval officer commission to serve at least 3 years on active duty and the remainder of his obligated 6 year service in the Ready Reserves. Ready Reserves are those who must attend drills.

This is the agreement he released with his military records:

http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/jkerry/offcandagr.pdf

You will note that Kerry obligated himself to at least 3 years active duty, and the remainder of a 6 year obligation in the READY (not Standby) Reserves.

He further agreed that while in the READY Reserves (from discharge to 1972) he would perform no less than 48 drills per year and up to 17 active duty days per year, or alternatively 30 active duty days per year.

None of the released records shows any record of his performing these Ready Reserve obligated days in 1970, 71, 72, after which he was transferred to the Inactive Reserves. (This is as of 22 April - he may have released more since then). The only Performance of Duty form released covers 1966. There should be one for every year.

Nor is there any excusal from drilling status in his records, or alternatively, pay and attendance records indicating that he performed any drills in 1970-72 as required of a Ready Reservist.

It was George Bush's alleged non-performance of his obligated reserve duty that caused all the furor last February, yet Kerry apparently can not show his performance of his obligated Reserve duty.

The Kerry campaign has said that his separation from active duty put him in the inactive, non-drilling Naval Reserve so he could run for Congress. This is NOT true, as follows:

This following website record shows his transfer from the Ready Reserves to the Standby (Inactive) reserves did not occur until March 1972, NOT upon his release from Active Duty to run for Congress (1969/70).

http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/jkerry/trnsfr2stndyrsrv.pdf

And this following form indicates the official transfer from the Ready Reserves to the Standby (Inactive) Reserves did not formalize until July 1972.:

http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/jkerry/servicercrd.pdf

Contrary to what Kerry's minions say, the wording on his Release from Active Duty (to run for Congress) does NOT put him in the INACTIVE RESERVES - it puts him in Inactive Duty status, which includes Ready Reserves with attendant drill obligation. BIG difference - and the confusion is understandable. The legal specifics are Title 10 duty (Active Duty) Green Card) vs.. Title 32 duty (Inactive Duty) Red Card).

Had he been placed in the INACTIVE RESERVES in 1970 upon his release from AD, as Kerry's people suggest, there would not have been the 1972 Transfer to the Standby Reserves form that I show above - he would have already been there.

Also, if the timing of these records is correct, as a drilling Ready Reserve naval officer, in 1970-72 he was somewhat restricted by military regulations in what comments he could make in public regarding statements on the military leadership and the National Command Authority. Yet this is the period of his most public protests and anti-war demonstrations. In fact, his hairdo in the 1970-72 period would not meet Navy standards, and he would be sent home from drill if he had ever attended one.

[dandelion]

Okay, a question - did Kerry actually spend three FULL years active duty? He only spent four months in Vietnam...

[BunnySlippers]

Kerry is a creep, but he was not AWOL.

If so this thread needs to be deleted. People attribute things to FR based on a title ... and the lead story appears to be incorrect.

[optimistically_conservative]

It was not intended as a slam on you, but it is misplaced in the topics as news and foreign policy - it should only be in Your Opinion.

Personally, I'd like to see the post pulled so it does not mislead others.

[writer33]

"Is there not irony in that?"


No. Kerry's a war hero. Scratch that. He's an enlightened war hero. :) HA!

[Rockpile]

From perusing that form it looks like the OCS officer serves for three years active duty then two more years in the Ready Reserve, then one year Standby, not three and three.

[waRNmother.armyboots]

Thanks. I did not do the work on this. I mainly posted this to receive input on it. I received it from a friend. So much for seeing FR as a friendly place for conservatives to communicate and receive help. Nothing like being reported to the Admin Mod when I stated it was editorial and nonsourced to begin with.

[doug from upland]

Okay, give me a summary please.

[optimistically_conservative]

Okay, a question - did Kerry actually spend three FULL years active duty?

Yes, more, 1966-1970.

[The Mayor]

bump!

[gdc61]

..."but he was not AWOL.".... can you prove he was NOT AWOL? where are the records. FReepers tend to like PROOF.

[dandelion]

Sorry to keep asking, but what exactly did he consider to be "full military active duty"? Is it verifiable in records yet? I'm asking is because the method by which he received his medals is suspect - and I'd like to see a full account of his actual duty. Is that available yet? If so, and if you have a link, that would be a big help for me...

[optimistically_conservative]

So much for seeing FR as a friendly place for conservatives to communicate and receive help. Nothing like being reported to the Admin Mod when I stated it was editorial and nonsourced to begin with.

Where? Where did you ask for help? Where did you state it was nonsourced? You didn't work on this? Who did? Why the vanity?

Cry me a river. It's not like you're banned. It's not like you're being made to sit in the corner with a dunce hat on your head. In fact, I would think you would want this pulled instead of having it debunked with your name on it.

You goofed. You made unsubstantiated accusations with links to the sources that actually proved you were wrong. You misposted it in multiple topics. Big deal.

[ilovew]

Yeah, I want proof! And by proof, I mean that no matter what he releases, I won't believe he's there. After all, it was the rats who got proof of Dubya's service and wanted to say "Well, we know his teeth were there but that doesn't prove HE was there!" As though he took his teeth out, left them in Alabama, and went on his merry way! *rolling my eyes* People are stupid.

[gdc61]

I read the paragraph,

it says he was obligated to "perform no less than 48 drills per year and up to 17 active duty days per year, or alternatively 30 active duty days per year." after release from active duty. so where is your proof he did his time ?

so how long have you worked for John F*ing Kerry?

[dandelion]

Excuse, but vanities are allowed at FreeRepublic. There has never been a "no-vanities" policy here. This is a forum, and so this post is entirely within the bounds of appropriate material.

Upon posting your disagreement, you have conceded that this is open to discussion.

[optimistically_conservative]

Is that available yet? If so, and if you have a link, that would be a big help for me...

He has posted his service record here. It does not include pertinent medical records for his Purple Heart medals. It may not be everything concerning award recommendations for his Silver Star and Bronze Star.

However, the time and character of service is covered.

[dandelion]

Thank you! Reading now...

[waRNmother.armyboots]

You sir are controlling. It states under source that it is confidential. There are no sources stated and no journal stated or web link. The subjects it is posted to are clearly stated as editorial and opinion in addition to politics. You go cry a river....you are the one running to the Admin Mod like a small child. FR is a forum. If you believe everything posted on it then you need a better education. FR is a place to bring issues for discussion. Still not sure I agree that my references cited prove what you say they prove. I need to do some more research.

[Bellflower]

And how can someone be in the reserves and protest against his own government at the same time?

treason