Obligation to Service Continues for Eight Years
When you entered the service, you incurred a military service obligation of eight
years. If you are separating prior to fulfilling eight years of service, then some of that
obligation probably remains even though you are returning to civilian life. You
must satisfy that obligation by becoming a member of the Ready Reserve in one of the
following categories:
-
Selected Reserve: You may voluntarily affiliate with the Selected Reserve, either
with a National Guard or Reserve unit, or a Reserve individual program.
-
Inactive National Guard: If you served in the Army, you may become a member of the
Army National Guard and request transfer to the Inactive National Guard if unable to participate in
regular unit training.
-
Individual Ready Reserve (IRR): If you do
not affiliate with one of the above programs, your service will automatically or
involuntarily assign you to the Individual Ready Reserve.
