[Maximum Leader]

That's exactly the case. I'm sure he had to get some age waiver to get in (he had no prior military experience) and he joined up after 9/11 so he knew the odds of getting called up to active duty were very high.

Its one thing to let him out of active service if, say, he had been a reservist for 10 years and he's just been elected governor. But this guy joined the reserves the same year that he ran for governor.

He wanted the electoral plus (especially in South Carolina) of being a military man but now he doesn't want to actually, you know, be in the military. Clinton would be proud.

[JohnnyZ]

Geez, at least give Gov. Sanford credit for deciding the right way. He's a good guy who signed up for service -- and all he gets for it is criticism!

From the Charlotte Observer

In a letter to Lt. Gov. André Bauer released to the news media Tuesday, Sanford said he wanted to make clear his position on the issue. Bauer would temporarily take Sanford's place while he served on active duty.

"The bottom line for me is that I made a commitment and I am going to keep it," Sanford wrote. "Therefore, as to any orders I receive I will do just as anyone else in my unit and follow them."

Sanford's job description with the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, headquartered at Charleston Air Force Base, is medical administration officer. That means he would coordinate medical airlifts aboard giant C-17 transport planes, which fly battle casualties to military hospitals in Germany or the United States.

The article goes on to say that Sanford hasn't completed all the training he needs to serve on active duty, because all the sessions were full when he applied, and that through the whole process he was treated as just another patriotic American wanting to serve his country, which is what he is.