Exactly, Chounch. I'd remind any military person that their oath of enlistment includes the phrase "to obey the orders of the President and all officers appointed over me". This does not change if you disagree with the orders. You either obey those orders, or you get a court-martial. It's simple as that.
This movie makes no sense to those that actually served. A "stop-loss" is a condition where your MOS (military occupation specialty) is too important for the service to release you from active duty. Contrary to this obvious anti-war propaganda film, the military will NOT let you go home. You are merely retained at your current command for a short time past the end of your obligated service (EOS). THAT is "stop-loss".
One more thing: every recruiter is required by law to inform their candidates of the requirement to serve 8 years (regardless of how much active duty time is served). If you serve all 8 in active duty, then there is no further obligation. However, if you only serve 2 years active duty, then the remaining 6 years will be in an inactive non-drilling status. However, for those 6 years the military can recall you back to serve. If you refuse, you will be arrested and tried at court-martial for failing to follow orders. I enlisted as a 17 year old High School Senior and I understood this completely. If someone didn't get it, then they are just too dumb to serve anyway.
In the future, I hope this director would do some real research before they put out another fact-bending fluff piece.
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15 years ago
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dlbkr2
15 years ago
"10. MILITARY SERVICE OBLIGATION FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE ACTIVE AND RESERVE COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL GUARD.
a. FOR ALL ENLISTEES: If this is my initial enlistment, I must serve a total of eight (8) years. Any part of that service not served on active duty must be served in a Reserve Component unless I am sooner discharged.
b. If I am a member of a Reserve Component of an Armed Force at the beginning of a period of war or national emergency declared by Congress, or if I become
a member during that period, my military service may be extended without my consent until six (6) months after the end of that period of war.
c. As a member of a Reserve Component, in time of war or national emergency declared by the Congress, I may be required to serve on active duty (other than for training) for the entire period of the war or emergency and for six (6) months after its end.
d. As a member of the Ready Reserve I may be required to perform active duty or active duty for training without my consent (other than as provided in item 8 of this document) as follows:
(1) in time of national emergency declared by the President of the United States, I may be ordered to active duty (other than for training) for not more than 24 consecutive months."
Section C.10.a/b/c/d
ENLISTMENT/REENLISTMENT DOCUMENT ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES
DD Form 4/3 Revised Jan 2001
Key words.
"I must serve a total of eight (8) years. Any part of that service not served on active duty must be served in a Reserve Component unless I am sooner discharged. In time of national emergency declared by the President of the United States, I may be ordered to active duty (other than for training) for not more than 24 consecutive months."
This document is read and signed at the time that a service member enlists into the Delayed Entry program (What most High School Seniors Enlist into). Then this form is read and signed again at the MEPS or Military Entrance Processing Station when you transition to active duty.
Every service member knows they have an 8 year obligation. It isn't hidden. it isn't swept under the rug. And any extension of your service or reactivation has prior warning. You don't go in on your last day to turn in your gear and find out you are being extended. You have months of advanced warning of such an occasion. And it doesn't require a declaration of war like they tried to portray in the movie. It only takes "In time of national emergency declared by the President of the United States".
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simguy20
15 years ago
I'm in the army too, and I understood that completely. I serve 6 active, 2 inactive, but I can be extended on active duty or recalled to active duty at any time. Clear as day.
Although, if everyone was smart enough to read and understand contracts, our economy wouldn't have collapsed so violently either.
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