Are you automatically ready-reserve if you’ve served in the past?
Now that I think about it, I’m probably mixing a couple of things together.
There are several hooks to re-activate you once you have enlisted or accepted a commission, and they have different requirements and obligations.
The Ready Reserve is one, with your original term being 8 years, regardless of signing for shorter durations on active duty.
There is also the draft status, and the militia status, which up to 45 unless you’ve served, in which case it goes higher. It’d probably take a lawyer to figure it all out.
By the way, note 10 246 a 2 (good general knowledge, but not necessarily relevant to this question).
10 U.S. Code §246.Militia: composition and classes
U.S. Code
(a)The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.
(b)The classes of the militia are—
(1)the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
(2)the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.
**
section 313 of title 32
32 U.S. Code §313.Appointments and enlistments: age limitations
(a)To be eligible for original enlistment in the National Guard, a person must be at least 17 years of age and under 45, or under 64 years of age and a former member of the Regular Army, Regular Navy, Regular Air Force, or Regular Marine Corps. To be eligible for reenlistment, a person must be under 64 years of age.
(b)To be eligible for appointment as an officer of the National Guard, a person must—
(1)be a citizen of the United States; and
(2)be at least 18 years of age and under 64.
I assume they mean ready reserve or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). Possibly some recently retired folks in high need specialties.