So I was just digging through a drawer and found dh's enlistment papers. I never really looked at them before but I did tonight. I'm a little confused by it....there is one section that says that he is enlisting in the Naval Reserves for 8 years and the section directly under that says he is enlisting in the Navy for 4. What the hell does that mean? DH has never said anything about the reserves....I'm really confused!

Usually military contracts are for 8 years. Its usually 4 years active, and 4 year in-active reserves, or at least I know thats how it is for the Marine Corp. Hope that helped!

I didn't know that. I don't think dh knew that cuz he never told me! AHH I wish he was here so I could ask him.

it means they would be inactive reserves,meaning they would get called up for war after all the active reserves ,but before they would do a draft.

yeah it takes an act of congress to call up the in-active reserves

don't worry too much about it. it really does take A LOT to call up the inactive reserves, though the army already has. the navy has a long way to go before that happens though.

all contracts are like that. once you enlist, be it 2,3, 4, or more years active, you owe the government 8 years total, some of which is inactive.

:yes My DH's contract is for 6 years with the Army Reserves, then he has another 2 years of "inactive reserves" - so a total of 8 years.

I avoid looking at the enlistment papers as I know I'll just be :nutts

I wouldnt worry to much. DH is in for 8 years, 4 active 4 inactive.

yup, once you enlist you are in for 8 years minimum...but whatever you don't serve actively is in inactive reserves.

hmmm I guess this would have been good info for dh to pass along to me!:banghead
So what if he reenlists for another 4, for a total of 8..does that void the reserves part?

YES! It does.