[MoodyBlu]

Can anyone tell me what the real story of the Kerry enlistment and subsequesnt commission in the Navy was? I'm trying to understand if Kerry sought active duty or if he was actually signing up for the reserves.

Much has been made of GWB going for the ANG instead of active duty. Was Kerry trying to avoid the draft, as they accuse Bush of, by enlisting in the Navy Reserves? Input or links appreciated.

MoodyBlu

[Wil H]

Much has been made of GWB going for the ANG instead of active duty. Was Kerry trying to avoid the draft, as they accuse Bush of, by enlisting in the Navy Reserves? Input or links appreciated.

O'Neill claims in Unfit for Command that he signed up for the RESERVES.

[El Gato]

Was Kerry trying to avoid the draft, as they accuse Bush of, by enlisting in the Navy Reserves?

No, it was standard practice, for those desiring to go to Officer Candidate School at least on a "delayed entry" program, to first enlist in the reserves. ROTC cadets are enlisted into the reserve as well. I spent two years in the AF reserve as an Airman Basic, before becoming a reserve 2nd Lt. on active duty, all the while also being an AFROTC cadet. (In fact I was a 2nd Lt. not on active duty for a month after receiving my commission. Many had to wait longer than that before going on active duty. Some never did to go on active duty, even though they'd signed up to do just that. These days going directly to ready reserve, without going through active duty is more common, but not as common as it was during the Carter and Clinton doldrums.