Question about the military

[TheStickman]

The Associated Press Thursday, January 9, 2003; 12:38 PM

Preparing for possible war against Iraq, the Marine Corps has taken the unusual step of stopping all Marines from leaving the service for the coming 12 months, officials said Thursday.

The decision was announced to all Marines in an internal message Tuesday from Gen. James Jones, the Marine Corps commandant. He said it applies to active-duty as well as reserve Marines and is effective Jan. 15 through Jan. 31, 2004. The last time the Marines took this action, known as "stop-loss," was during the buildup to the 1991 Gulf War, said Capt. Gabrielle Chapin, a spokeswoman at the Combat Development Command at Quantico, Va.

Now, with this in mind, I've read a suggestion elsewhere that giving these *stop-loss* orders amounts to "slavery". It's been a zillion years since I was in the service...but isn't the possibility a person's period of service can be extended during a period of either war or in the name of national security clearly a part of the contract a recruit signs when they join the military?

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[Doohickey]

Sign that enlistment contract, and the goverment owns you. Goes with the territories.

It's been awhile for me too, but I seem to be remember during Gulf War I that the service can keep you up to 18 months past your EAOS.

Plus (at least in the Navy), a four-year active duty enlistment actually equals 4 plus 2 years inactive reserves.

[visualops]

A. THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY HAS AUTHORIZED THE USE OF STOP LOSS
FOR FORCE PROTECTION PURPOSES.
B. THE POLICY CONTAINED IN THIS MESSAGE INVOLUNTARILY EXTENDS THE
DATE OF SEPARATION (EAS, EOS, ECC) FOR MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL UNDER
THE AUTHORITY OF SECTION 12305 OF TITLE 10 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE
(USC).

[Poohbah]

Now, with this in mind, I've read a suggestion elsewhere that giving these *stop-loss* orders amounts to "slavery". It's been a zillion years since I was in the service...but isn't the possibility a person's period of service can be extended during a period of either war or in the name of national security clearly a part of the contract a recruit signs when they join the military?

Yes.

[Poohbah]

Plus (at least in the Navy), a four-year active duty enlistment actually equals 4 plus 2 years inactive reserves.

It applies to all services, but the six-year obligation only applied if you enlisted before 1984. From 1984 on, it's eight years.

[csmusaret]

What contract? I remember an oath, but I don't remember signing any contract.

[Cvengr]

Actually, a good POC is Ross Perot on the topic. I believe he was a reservist in the USN during Korea, held overseas for over a year after the end of the war while the regulars had already returned home. One of his major motivators to swing some lucrative contracts.

[Poohbah]

What contract? I remember an oath, but I don't remember signing any contract.

Remember all that paperwork you signed at the MEPS when you enlisted?

That was your enlistment contract.

[visualops]

From what I read, enlistment lengths vary, but total time committed is 8 years regardless. After active duty, the remainder spent in Reserves or Guard.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

You wouldn't happen to be in the state of Wisconsin, would you?

[TheStickman]

Nope, South Carolina.

[cynicom]

Stick...

Just perhaps this will have a reflection in the number of future "volunteers".

[Doohickey]

That would explain it. I enlisted in 1983.

[Harley109]

No, they can do this. I ETSed from the Army just before Desert Storm, and missed being retained involuntarily by a matter of days.

As Maxwell Smart would say, "They missed me by about THAT much."

[T Minus Four]

Tsk, tsk, should have read the fine print.

[Doohickey]

I remember signing a contract. Three times. If the military promises you something to get you to elist, or re-enlist, don't you think you should sign something that details what it is you're supposed to get?

[csmusaret]

No I don't remember, but that was 1964. I do remember being promised FREE health care for life for 23 years. That didn"t happen either though.

[Poohbah]

No I don't remember, but that was 1964.

Get a copy of your service records and read them. The contract's in there.

[csmusaret]

I have my records. No contracts there.