[Mike Fieschko]

Kerry's (reserve) obligation ended in 1972 but he hangs around till 1978 ??

And your point is ...?

As an officer, unless he is discharged, he has an open-ended obligation to his branch.

This was post-Viet Nam draw down.

He didn't get promoted, his skills didn't match anything the Navy was likely to need (shallow water inshore fast tactical [S.W.I.F.T.] boats), and the Navy didn't want to spend money on retraining him.

SOP.

If there was a military court convened, show me the records.

[greasepaint]

I suppose it could be stated that an officer has
some 'open ended relationship' to the service, but it is
certanly not a 'compelled-lifetime' relationship.
Kerry had an ethical obligation to end his
sham 'service' in the Reserves by resigning, when
it was appropriate to do so.