No, as a commissioned officer, he could leave active duty, never participate in guards or reserves, and still maintain his commission - meaning there would be no discharge. While it is possible that Kerry resigned his commission in '72 and received a less than honorable discharge, it is also possible (and even likely) that for some reason he waited until '78 to resign his commission. If he had not resigned (or lost) his commission in '78, he would still hold his commission today and would never have been discharged, despite his active duty having ended in '72.
I believe the regulations under which he received the discharge in '78 had something to do with not being involuntarily separated without a hearing or some such thing.
Were you one that suggested that a DD214 wouldn't even have been issued for an officer? I thought I read some 'freepers' suggesting just that.
I disagree just slightly. You are correct that an Officer can keep his commission after the end of active duty. However, there are limits. An officer has to do something to maintain the commission, at least in the naval services. He has to be either active, active reserve, or IRR (see my post #22). In the IRR, you are still supposed to go to meetings (you get credit for service and retirement points but are not paid). The most leeway they will give you is 5-6 years of doing nothing. Typically it is 5 years but you can get a 1 year extension for a good reason.
We know that Kerry was neither active or active reserve after 1972. We don't know that he wasn't IRR. We do know he didn't participate. So, he could have had a 6 year grace period from 1972 to 1978.
Look, I know it is unlikely, particularly because of all of the other evidence. However, it is simply not conclusive yet. Again, unfortunately.
its also possible that kerry wants people to say something so he can rebut them. it seems like those who care about his service, know about his antics and wouldnt vote for him. those who dont care, may get ticked off by bringing back vietnam into a 2004 election.
if BC keeps quiet about it, people can assume why he never sign 180. and thats exactly what they are looking for.
if everything in his record is hunkeedoree, this would backfire on BC like crazy.
Seems odd. So if your an old fart and haven't resigned your commission and you want to exercise your VA benefits, what document do you present, if not your DD214?