The discharge is not received until the 6 year commitment is up. I was released after 4 years active under Honorable Conditions on the DD214 but the HC came 2 years later. Which in Kerry's case should have been 1974, I believe. If it was 1978, something was amiss and probably got cleared up under Jimmah Carter the "pardon the draft dodgers president".
Right. But he joined in '66. Left Active Duty in '70. Reached his 6-year point in '72. The discharge should've been issued then.