It has been my impression that a commissioned officer is commissioned

[Bandit]

for life. Once an officer always an officer. They may seperate from the service but they are still with presidential commission and could (conceivably) be called back to duty at any time. Even if Bush* were not pResident would he still be subject to USMJ?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. My brother was a "lifer"

meaning he made the Army his career. He retired a Chief Warrant Officer (got a warrant, not a commission-real difference is that CWOs specialize), and kept on his person his orders. They were to be presented to the county sheriff wherever he was and he was to be allowed transport (if he didn't have it and there was a real national emergency) to the location on the orders. He kept those orders in his wallet until he turned 62 last year.

So I guess if you are a career officer (warrant or commissioned) you can be called back into service if there is a national emergency.

My brother, who retired in 1980, said that after about 5 years, the liklihood of him being called back were slim (his specialty was computers)as his skills would have become obsolete. He was never called back.

[drewb]

3. Has computer technology evolved that fast that his skills wouldn't apply??

You would think that some of it would still be applicable...

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. He resigned his commision

He would have been transfered to inactive reserves for ten years.

That period is long gone

This said... he is the CiC... technically he is in the Army, as the head of the armed forces.

And one more thing, Desertion carries no statue of limitations.

The only reason why I don't see JAG pressing charges (and it has nothing to do with Bush) is that they would open a can of worms since what Bush did, it was not that uncommon at the time.

They would have to prosecute many others.

Now here is something to ponder, and the ironacy does not stop... I wonder if Bush is covered by the Carter General Pardon?