It may surprise you to learn that everyone who joins the military for the first time incurs a *MINIMUM* eight year service commitment. That's right, EIGHT years! It doesn't matter if you signed a two year active duty contract, a four year contract, or even a six year contract. Your total military commitment is eight years. Whatever amount of time that is not spent on active duty, must either be served in the active Guard/Reserves (the program where one performs drill one weekend per month, and two weeks per year), or in the inactive Reserves (one doesn't perform drill, but can be recalled to active duty at any time for war, or national emergency). Active duty members who do not reenlist onto active duty, or apply for the active Guard/Reserve upon active duty discharge, are automatically transferred to the inactive Reserves once they are discharged from active duty.
- Getting Out
- Delayed Enlistment Program
- Entry Level Separations & Discharge Characterizations
- Breach of Contract
- Getting Kicked Out
- Homosexuality
- Hardship
- Pregnancy
- Sole Surviving Son or Daughter
- Early Separation to Further Education
- Early Release to Serve in the Guard or Reserves
- Convenience of the Government
- Conscientious Objectors
