I'd stay away from this. I spent 26 years in Naval Reserve on active duty as Full Time Support. Two tour on Commander Naval Reserve Force. [1980-86 and 1989-92]. Know a ‘little’ about reserve administration [enough to get me in trouble – was Aviation Electronics Technician]
Occasionally people confuse enlisted 'contracts' and officer commissions.
Why would a board be reviewing John Kerry’s record. To determine whether the Naval Reserve wants to keep him in the Standby Reserve-Inactive (USNR-S2). John Kerry was transferred to Standby Reserve-Inactive (USNR-S1) when released from active duty [Why when he had reserve obligation to drill – probably waived]. After his 6 years 'obligated' service was up, he did not resign his commission. He would have been transferred to S2 status. After 3 years his record should have been periodically reviewed to determine whether the Navy had any reason to retain him. It appears in FEB 1978 the board decided to honorably discharge him rather than keep him in an S2 status.
From: http://www.bupers.navy.mil/pers9/pers91/IDTAT.htm
Q: Is there a minimum participation requirement to maintain my commission?
A: Yes. Records are routinely screened to ensure members are actively participating in the Reserve program. If a member's record indicates they are not participating, they will be notified by letter that they are being considered for removal from Ready Reserve or Standby Reserve-Active (USNR-S1) status. Based on the member's response, they may be transferred to Standby Reserve-Inactive (USNR-S2) status or allowed to remain in the Ready Reserve. Personnel remaining in the Ready Reserve may participate by completing correspondence courses or by drilling. Officers transferred to Standby Reserve-Inactive (USNR-S2) status may remain in that status for up to 3 years before they are screened for discharge.
Note: They are 'SCREENED'. And the US code that replaces 1162 does talk about involuntary separation and the officers rights. But not the way the article insinuates. US Code 12681 was updated because of drawdown and mandatory transition assistance regulations. John Kerry was involuntarily separated IAW 1162 and 1163 because he did not resign his commission.
Reference: [1162 & 1163] of Title 10 was replaced on 5 OCT 1994 by section 12681. Nothing in this code leads me to believe this had anything to do with changing less than honorable to honorable discharges.
http://uscode.house.gov/uscode-cgi/fastweb.exe?getdoc+uscview+t09t12+3351+39++%28military%20-%20discharge%20of%20reserve%20officers%29%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20
Like I said, I’d stay away from this unless someone shows you a dishonorable discharge certificate.
Retired Navy Senior Chief
RNC / BC 04 member # 186675671
I appreciate what you're saying and everything requires caution - but here's the crux of the matter.
John Forbes Kerry has REFUSED to sign Form 180 and in doing so, he opens himself up to all sorts of scrutiny because the obvious questions are WHY? and WHAT IS HE HIDING?
Thats the answer I was looking for.
Thanks Senior Chief!
I did all my time active duty, and had no involvement with the reserves whatsoever. What you said makes perfect sense to me.
Thanks