military-what happens at the end of your time serving? please answer very confused?

Question

what exactly is a contract?

also, are there fixed numbers of years u server or can you pick how long u wanna serve? for example, "you can only serve 4, 8, or 12 years" (just for the hell of it)

is it like that??

or do you pick how long u wanna stay in?


also, at the end of your time, what happens? do they just say your done and show you the door?

Answer 1

Your contract is showing how long you signed up for and what your job is etc.

You can pick between 3, 4, and 6 year contracts. Might be a 2 year or more than 6 but I don't know for sure. Usually the more technical a job the longer you stay in. So you have to figure that out for yourself. You have to do a total of 8 years. You might just do 3 active but you are inactive for 5. Or if you do a total of 8 active you are cut free all together.

When you go to ETS (end time of service) you go through out processing/transition back to civilian life. The Army has a program to help you find a job etc ACAP. Not sure about the other services.

Answer 2

As of the time I retired (2003), The U.S. Army allowed 2, 3, 4 and 6 year contracts, however when you first join you also incur a reserve obligation as well for a total of 8 years. For instance, if you enlisted for 3 years. You would do 3 active duty and 5 years inactive ready reserve subject to call up as needed by the Army for a total of 8 years. It may have changed since but as of 03 thats where it stood.

Answer 3

You sign a contract for usually 2,4,6 years. But you are obligated for 8 years. If you serve a 4 year contract you will seperate at 4 years and be in active for 4 years. They can recall you if they please. Usually it doesnt happen, but with the war, it is more likely to happen.

Now when serving your 4 year tour, a year out you will be offered classes, (in the AF, they call the Transition classes) and they show you how to write a resume, how to manage as a civilian, how to get along with non military personell and all.

If you choose to seperate at 4 years. You will have a form to fill out to start your seperation. Once the day of seperation comes and all of your leave has been taken, you will turn in your ID card and be on your way.

Answer 4

all initial military contracts are for EIGHT years. as little as two or as many as 6 years are on Active duty, with the remainder being served in the Reserves or IRR. how long your AD contract is is based on the job you choose. some require longer due to the amount of training required.

at the end of your AD contract, you will generally be given an option..stay AD, go Reserves, or get out completely and go IRR. In some cases, you may not be given a choice. some contracts stipulate you MUST go Reserves at the end.

if you do not serve 20 years/retire, yes, you are basically shown the door. you will have earned some benefits, such at the GI Bill and other VA programs like the VA home loan program.

Answer 5

You sign up for a certain amount of time depending on your training and MOS. When your enlistment is up you can re-enlist for another 2 to 4 years and keep doing so until you have been in up to 30 years. Unless of course you are a screw-up, than they don't offer you the opportunity to re-enlist and you are discharged at the end of your current enlistment. Unless of course you are a real f*ck-up, than the kick you out.