Over 2,00 veterans defy being ordered back to military duty

[las47032]

The U.S. Army has encountered resistance from more than 2,500 former soldiers whom it has ordered back to military duty.

They are seeking exemptions, filing court cases or simply failing to report for duty, moves that will be watched closely by approximately 110,000 other members of the Individual Ready Reserve.

In the past few months, the Army has notified more than 4,000 former soldiers that they must return to active duty, but more than 1,800 have already requested exemptions or delays, many of which are still being considered.

And of about 2,500 who were due to arrive on military bases for refresher training by Nov. 7, 733 did not show up.

When soldiers enlist, they typically agree to an eight-year commitment but often are allowed to end active duty sooner. Some join the Reserve or National Guard to complete their commitment; others finish their time in the Individual Ready Reserve.

2,500 veterans resist call-up to active duty
http://www.indystar.com/articles/5/195334-7345-010.html

[USMC5831]

Getting called back sucks but they did sign the contract they are obligated.

[AndJusticeForAll]

Originally Posted by USMC5831

Getting called back sucks but they did sign the contract they are obligated.

Maybe some of them are but I bet not all of them. I've heard enough stories to know that some of these people who long ago finished their obligation are being called back, and they're not happy about it.

[scott.voigt]

Yeah...and only officers are obligated to return to service. I read an article where a major who'd been retired for 7 years was ordered back... that's insane. For enlisted though you sign a contract for a finite number of years, after that your supposed to be done. This is just another type of back door draft for prople who've already put in their time, most with over 20 years.

[Woodmonkey]

I remember an Air Force officer in the late 60's who kept getting called back to duty. He told me that he got out after WW2 and started his civilian life. He got called back for Korea, got out and restarted his civilian life. He got called back for Nam and decided to stay in and get his 20 years and pension. I forget exactly what his job was, but it was something to do with communications/radar or something related.

[Carnage_59]

Originally Posted by scott.voigt

Yeah...and only officers are obligated to return to service. I read an article where a major who'd been retired for 7 years was ordered back... that's insane. For enlisted though you sign a contract for a finite number of years, after that your supposed to be done. This is just another type of back door draft for prople who've already put in their time, most with over 20 years.

Under DoD regulations, anyone who stays in the military and retires collecting a pension is ON CALL for ten years after the date of retirement. This includes enlisteds, warrants and commissioned officers.



When people retire (except those medically retired) they are notified that they are on call for ten years.

When I went in the AF in 1978, my enlistment contract was for six years. I served five on active duty and was on IRR for a year.

[Carnage_59]

Originally Posted by AndJusticeForAll

Maybe some of them are but I bet not all of them. I've heard enough stories to know that some of these people who long ago finished their obligation are being called back, and they're not happy about it.

Some of those stories in the media are heavily slanted and don't tell the whole story. Today's enlisteds sign up for eight years. They can serve whatever number of years required for the active duty commitment but the remainder of these they are on Individual Ready Reserve.

As for officers, unless that officer resigns his commission when he/she separates from active or reserves, the possibility exists for a recall.