I don't know the details in Kerry's instance, but from my own experience I had done my 8 years of Reserve in advance of my AD. So when my AD time was up I just took off the uniform and quit going to work (actually they hired me as a civilian the next week). So the years may add up, if he did his 4 years AD he was obligated to do and then another 8 in reserve. So, the years may not be as big of a deal as you are implying. I in no way mean to support Kerry in anything, I just think this issue is a waste of energy.
If you read post 50 and the article at the link in post 52 it will bring you up to speed.
I didn't mean to sound harsh, but I was so shocked that you weren't aware of the level of deceit and MSM complicity relating to Kerry's military records that I jumped to the conclusion that you were just playing games.