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air_vet · PO2 Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 374

I am NOT in any way, shape or form a candidated Kerry supported as those of you who have been reading the forum for any time will know. However, there has been MUCH speculation on these forums (and on the air ) as to how candidate Kerry entered active duty. I have stated my suspicions that this is a non-issue several times on the forums as a result of me going to AF OTS in Feb '64.

I just check the JK website for additional military records - it appears SEVERAL have been added since last I checked about a week ago.

There are 3 documents of direct importance to the enlistment issue: Enlistment_Contract, Officer_Candidate_Agreement and Order_to_Officer_Candidate.

Enlistment_Contract. Dated 18 Feb 66 and states (among other things) Status: INACTIVE duty.

Officer_Candidate_Agreement. Dated the SAME day - 18 Feb 66. Committing him to go to Naval OCS. A lot of information. Read it carefully - basically if he didn't get through OCS he was committed to 2 years of active Navy enlisted service.

Order_to_Officer_Candidate. Dated 14 Jun 66. His orders to go to Naval OCS.

All of this is EXACTLY as I expected to see. His enlistment in the Navy was concurent with signing a contract to go to Naval OCS. At the time I went through AF OTS, the only way to get a 2 years active enlistment was to fail OTS or SIE (self initiated elimination). Only one of my class couldn't cut it and SIEd - he put in 2 years enlisted service.

There are MANY, MANY things in his record to find fault with, but unfortunately, this issue isn't one of them.

gia_lin_fo · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 12:05 am Post subject:

!. What is the significance of the INACTIVE status? Was he to wait until approval of his OCS application?

2. What would his status have been had he been turned down?

3. While I don't doubt the Navy wanting a Yale graduate for OCS, is there someway to tell if he had help getting his application approved.

4. Given Kerry's intense interest in flying his last year at Yale, why did he not apply for AF OTS? His father had been a test pilot.
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drjohn · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 12:07 am Post subject:

Have they added the document showing that Kerry requested a deferment himself? Wink

Navy_Navy_Navy · Admin Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 5777

Thanks, air_vet - moving this to Resources. Smile

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Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

Tom Poole · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 1:00 am Post subject: Kerry entering...

air_vet · PO2 Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 374

greasepaint · Seaman Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 177 Location: Texas

At the time, what would have been the 'basic' enlistment contract
for the Navy Reserve?
I've read somewhere that Kerry was obligated to :
four years active, plus two years in the reserve.
When Kerry was released from active duty,
did the Navy have the option of putting Kerry in a unit that drilled?

ASPB · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:23 am Post subject:

His contract was probably like mine was in 1965. 4 years active duty with 2 years inactive reserve. You had the option at the end of active duty to be assigned to an active reserve unit of your own choosing (48 drill days per year).
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Boundless · Seaman Apprentice Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 93

> 4. Given Kerry's intense interest in flying his last year
> at Yale, why did he not apply for AF OTS?

From the Boston Globe, a subsidiary of Kerry, Inc:
http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/061603.shtml

"Kerry initially thought about enlisting as a pilot.
But his father, Richard Kerry - a test pilot who
served in the Army Air Corps - warned him that if he
flew in combat, he might lose his love of flying. So
Kerry, who sought in so many ways to emulate John
Fitzgerald Kennedy, took to the water, just as his
idol served on a World War II patrol boat, the 109."

Boundless · Seaman Apprentice Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 93

Academic question here (not expecting it to lead anywhere):

On Kerry's Enlistment Contract, item 4 is:

4. Branch & class of service:
USNR-R

I assume USNR is U.S. Navy Reserve.
But what is the "-R"?

ASPB · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 5:39 am Post subject:

"R" = Ready (can be active or inactive)
"S" = Standby (is always inactive)

If my 35 year memory is intact! Laughing

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On Sale! Order in lots of 100 now at velero@rcn.com Free for the cost of shipping All profits (if any, especially now) go to Swiftvets. The author of "Sink Kerry Swiftly" ---ASPB

jwbarden · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:21 pm Post subject:

Kerry would have enlisted as an OCUISA (E-2) in the USNR after his OCS application was approved. The inactive service allowed for him to finish up at Yale and be scheduled for an open OCS class. His initial Officer Candidate agreement called for 3 years ACDU followed by 2 years drilling SELRES, but this was superceded in MAR69 by a voluntary extention on active duty to accept the admiral's aide job.