Thanks for at least bringing out more of the details of what can and most likely happened along the way regarding why Kerry wasn't separated in 1972...... There is evidence that he completed his Reserve commitment in 1972 and was offered either the option of staying in the Ready Reserves or being placed in the Standby Reserves - Inactive (USNR-S2)... That info is on the following document dated 1 Mar 72 [Contingent Transfer to the Standby Reserves - Inactive]. Pay close attention to item #2 and #5 (b) in the following document....
Transfer to Standby Reserves - Inactive .. Then go to the second document on the above URL dated 16 Aug 72 where it modifies his date of transfer to the Standby Reserves - Inactive to 1 July 72.
Again thanks for at least trying to bring some sanity to this ongoing discussion, not that it will stop the spread of continued speculation.