From
Counter-Recruitment.org
Most people think they are joining the military for a single 4 year term, although they are usually told by recruiters that they could serve up to 8 years due to being recalled from the "ready reserve".
What recruiters probably don't spend too much time telling potential recruits about is Section 9 Part C on the back of the enlistment contract which says: "In the event of war, my enlistment in the Armed Forces continues until six (6) months after the war ends, unless my enlistment is ended sooner by the President of the United States."
The TRUTH is, military enlistments are potentially unlimited in length.
The paragraph below cites fine print from the back of the first page of a military enlistment contract. It shows that, despite the stated length of enlistment (usually four years), recruits can be kept in the military indefinitely, or called back from the reserves many years later, especially as part of the war on terror, which has no foreseeable end. This is what has been called the "back door draft". Thousands have already been subjected to it. Recruiters typically neglect to mention these sections to potential enlistees.
From The Military Enlistment/Re-enlistment "Contract" (DD Form 4/1)
http://www.dior.whs.mil/forms/DD0004.pdf
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(NOTE: The sections below are on the BACK of the contract):
9. FOR ALL ENLISTEES OR REENLISTEES: Many laws, regulations, and military customs will govern my conduct and require me to do things a civilian does not have to do. The following statements are not promises or guarantees of any kind. They explain some of the present laws affecting the Armed Forces which I cannot change but which Congress can change at any time.
a. My enlistment is more than an employment agreement...
b. Laws and regulations regarding military personnel may change without notice to me. Such changes may effect my status, pay, allowances, benefits, and responsiblities as a member of the Armed Forces REGARDLESS of the provisions of this enlistment/reenlistment document.
c. In the event of war, my enlistment in the Armed Forces continues until six (6) months after the war ends, unless my enlistment is ended sooner by the President of the United States.