How is the Navy Contract goes?

[Beath]

My son signed a contract in the Navy for Eight Years in which his 5 years will be Active Duty and the remaining 3 years will be Reserve.

According to what I have read , all the first time Millitary enlistees will have to serve for a minimum of 8 years. I stand to be corrected if I am wrong. That's why my son's contract happened to be 8 years.

What I wanted to know is that when the time that my son finishes his 5 years Active Duty, what will happen now? He has still 3 years more in the service being a reserve. What will he be doing in the Navy as a reserve? Will he be required to be a Reserve for that remaining number of years that he still have? Or during this time, Is this will be the time for him to be qualified for re-enlistment again?

Sorry for having many questions.

I would be grateful for your informations and knowledge regarding this matter.

Thanks!

[Justin Shineman]

A little truth, and a little misconception in all of the replies above. Every Active Duty initial enlistment contract is for 8 years (total), usually split between 4 years Active Duty (full time Navy) and 4 years Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR - name is on a list and could be recalled in a time of war). The Navy has recalled Selective Reservists, but not IRRs, frequently over the past 8 years. SELRES are very different from the IRR. A SELRES is a Reservist who has affiliated (joined) a Reserve unit and drills with them one weekend a month and 2 weeks sometime during the year. Sort of the Navy's version of the National Guard. A Sailor who separates from the Navy at the end of their 4 years of Active Duty, may join the Selective Reserve or they may just move on to the IRR. SELRES is a way to stay connected to the Navy, continue to advance in the Reserves, draw some supplemental income, and earn time towards a Reserve Retirement.
Certain programs within the Navy offer the Sailor an advanced school, and in return the Sailor must obligate to serve 5 years or more on Active Duty as part of their 8 year initial obligation. Sometimes they receive a monetary bonus for this type of contract.
After their initial enlistment, whether it's 4, 5, or 6 years, the Sailor can "extend" on active duty in monthly increments up to 48 months, or they can reenlist for a 4-year contract. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and the decision depends on the Sailor's long-term intentions, unit deployment schedules, permanent change of station orders, potential reenlistment bonuses, and overall Navy manning in the Sailor's rate (specialty).
I hope this helps.
CDR Justin Shineman

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Nice and clear. Thanks for taking the time to spell out the difference between IRR and SELRES as well as enlistment terms.