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[–] TSlim ago 

I find it really fascinating that there's some sort of contractual basis for enlistment; I'd have assumed that the agreement was uniform across the board, at least within a given specialization or whatever. Do you mind elaborating on that for a non-American at all?

Thanks either way!

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[–] Leelem0n [S] 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

The agreements vary because some people come in under different circumstances. The biggest reason is to try to secure your desired MOS (Military Occupational Specialty...aka your job) in the military. An "open contract" means they can put you where ever they want. But there are other factors for contract changes. For example, some people want to enlist with a friend, so they have the "buddy program" to make sure they are stationed together. Other people want to finish school, so they enlist, go through training, then they are set as reservists (only do military work twice a month and two weeks per year) so finish their degree, and then after that they go to Officer Candidate School (OCS). Other people have families when they sign up so they want to make sure their families are able to have money to move. Other people already have degrees but don't want to be officers, so they get extra rank straight out of boot camp. These are some of the variables that are reflected in the contracts.