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PREVIOUS EDITION IS OBSOLETE.
DD FORM 4, MAY 2020
C. PARTIAL STATEMENT OF EXISTING UNITED STATES LAWS
9. FOR ALL ENLISTEES OR REENLISTEES:
I understand that many laws, regulations, and military customs will govern
my conduct and require me to do things under this agreement that a civilian
does not have to do. I also understand that various laws, some of which are
listed in this agreement, directly affect this enlistment/reenlistment
agreement. Some examples of how existing laws may affect this agreement
are explained in paragraphs 10 and 11. I understand that I cannot change
these laws but that Congress may change these laws, or pass new laws, at
any time that may affect this agreement, and that I will be subject to those
laws and any changes they make to this agreement. I further understand
that:
a. My enlistment/reenlistment agreement is more than an employment
agreement. It effects a change in status from civilian to military member of
the Armed Forces. As a member of the Armed Forces of the United States,
I will be:
(1) Required to obey all lawful orders and perform all assigned duties.
(2) Subject to separation during or at the end of my enlistment. If my
behavior fails to meet acceptable military standards, I may be discharged
and given a certificate for less than honorable service, which may hurt my
future job opportunities and my claim for veteran's benefits.
(3) Subject to the military justice system, which means, among other
things, that I may be tried by military courts-martial.
(4) Required upon order to serve in combat or other hazardous situations.
(5) Entitled to receive pay, allowances, and other benefits as provided by
law and regulation.
b. Laws and regulations that govern military personnel may change
without notice to me. Such changes may affect my status, pay, allowances,
benefits, and responsibilities as a member of the Armed Forces
REGARDLESS of the provisions of this enlistment/ reenlistment document.
10. MILITARY SERVICE OBLIGATION, SERVICE ON ACTIVE
DUTY AND STOP-LOSS 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, unless I am sooner discharged or otherwise
extended by the appropriate authority. This eight year service requirement
is called the Military Service Obligation. Any part of that service not served
on active duty must be served in the Reserve Component of the service in
which I have enlisted. If this is a reenlistment, I must serve the number of
years specified in this agreement, unless I am sooner discharged or
otherwise extended by the appropriate authority. Some laws that affect
when I may be ordered to serve on active duty, the length of my service on
active duty, and the length of my service in the Reserve Component, even
beyond the eight years of my Military Service Obligation, are discussed in
the following paragraphs.
b. I understand that I can be ordered to active duty at any time while I
am a member of the DEP. In a time of war, my enlistment may be extended
without my consent for the duration of the war and for six months after its
end (10 U.S.C. 506, 12103(c)).
c. As a member of a Reserve Component of an Armed Force, in time of
war or of national emergency declared by the Congress, I may, without my
consent, be ordered to serve on active duty, for the entire period of the war
or emergency and for six (6) months after its end (10 U.S.C. 12301(a)). My
enlistment may be extended during this period without my consent (10
U.S.C. 12103(c)).
(Initials of Enlistee/Reenlistee)
d. As a member of the Ready Reserve (to include Delayed Entry
Program), in time of national emergency declared by the President, I may,
without my consent, be ordered to serve on active duty, and my military
service may be extended without my consent, for not more than 24
consecutive months (10 U.S.C. 12302). My enlistment may be extended
during this period without my consent (see paragraph 10g).
e. As a member of the Ready Reserve, I may, at any time and without
my consent, be ordered to active duty to complete a total of 24 months of
active duty, and my enlistment may be extended so I can complete the total
of 24 months of active duty, if:
(1) I am not assigned to, or participating unsatisfactorily in, a unit of the
Ready Reserve; and
(2) I have not met my Reserve obligation; and
(3) I have not served on active duty for a total of 24 months (10 U.S.C.
12303).
f. As a member of the Selected Reserve or as a member of the
Individual Ready Reserve mobilization category, when the President
determines that it is necessary to augment the active forces for any
operational mission or for certain emergencies, I may, without my consent,
be ordered to active duty for not more than 365 days (10 U.S.C. 12304).
My enlistment may be extended during this period without my consent (see
paragraph 10g).
g. During any period members of a Reserve component are serving on
active duty pursuant to an order to active duty under authority of 10 U.S.C.
12301, 12302, or 12304, the President may suspend any provision of law
relating to my promotion, retirement, or separation from the Armed Forces if
he or his designee determines I am essential to the national security of the
United States. Such an action may result in an extension, without my
consent, of the length of service specified in this agreement. Such an
extension is often called a "stop-loss" extension (10 U.S.C. 12305).
h. I may, without my consent, be ordered to perform additional active
duty training for not more than 45 days if I have not fulfilled my military
service obligation and fail in any year to perform the required training duty
satisfactorily. If the failure occurs during the last year of my required
membership in the Ready Reserves, my enlistment may be extended until I
perform that additional duty, but not for more than six months (10 U.S.C.
10148).
11. FOR ENLISTEES/REENLISTEES IN THE NAVY, MARINE CORPS,
OR COAST GUARD: I understand that if I am serving on a naval vessel in
foreign waters, and my enlistment expires, I will be returned to the United
States for discharge as soon as possible consistent with my desires.
However, if essential to the public interest, I understand that I may be
retained on active duty until the vessel returns to the United States. If I am
retained under these circumstances, I understand I will be discharged not
later than 30 days after my return to the United States; and, that except in
time of war, I will be entitled to an increase in basic pay of 25 percent from
the date my enlistment expires to the date of my discharge.
12. FOR ALL MALE APPLICANTS: Completion of this form constitutes
registration with the Selective Service System in accordance with the
Military Selective Service Act. Incident thereto the Department of Defense
may transmit my name, permanent address, military address, Social
Security Number, and birthdate to the Selective Service System for
recording as evidence of the registration.
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