Military Shadow box plate

[Dancinbaer]

Opinions please;

When listing the the dates of service for a past member of the military do you list just the active duty dates?

United States Navy
April 28, 1941 - Sept. 18, 1959​

Or both Active and Inactive:

United States Navy
April 28, 1941 - April 1, 1970
​

Or would you list it like this:​

United States Navy
Active duty: April 28, 1941 - Sept. 18, 1959
Inactive duty: Sept. 19, 1959 - April 1, 1970​

It's up to me how it's listed. I just can't decide if one is more correct/ proper than another.

Thanks​

 

[FramerDave]

Not sure about proper vs. improper, but I'd go with the active service dates. To my thinking, the United States Navy would imply that the dates listed are the service dates.

 

[GUMBY GCF]

when you are referring to inactive Is that the Naval Reserves?
If so this would be approprate


United States Navy
April 28, 1941 - Sept. 18, 1959
United States Naval Reserves
Sept. 19, 1959 - April 1, 1970



PS
nice avatar

 

[FramerDave]

What Gumby said. Ignore me, I posted in haste.

 

[DLB]

I agree. What Gumby said. "Inactive" has such a negative connotation to it. Reserves is a much better way to phrase it.

dave.

 

[Bogframe]

Not to mention that these days, the Reserves are far from being inactive duty!

 

[hangupsgallery]

There are both active & inactive reserves.

Inactive reserves are basically on a call-up list, no on going training or service.

Active reserves meet regularly, train, and are combat ready if called up. ie the Reserves & National Guard.

 

[Mikesshop]

Gumby is correct

when you are referring to inactive Is that the Naval Reserves?
If so this would be approprate


United States Navy
April 28, 1941 - Sept. 18, 1959
United States Naval Reserves
Sept. 19, 1959 - April 1, 1970



PS
nice avatar

Gumby phrased it properly. I would think Naval Reserve without the 's'.

 

[Puppyraiser]

or maybe Navy Reserve? A call to local recruiter should clear that up.

 

[Merlin Framers]

Not being picky from this side of the pond.

You have abbreviated Sept. but not April.
To me it does not look right. Either full months or short months. Can I be so bold to recommend full months as you have used the full four figure year.

 

[kdub]

These are the different titles for reserve and guard forces FYI

Army National Guard (ARNG)
Army Reserve (USAR)
Naval Reserve (USNR)
Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR)
Air National Guard (ANG)
Air Force Reserve (USAFR)
Coast Guard Reserve (USCGR)

And I'd go with Gumby too (except making changes for noted consistency of dates, and/or abbreviations)

 

[Baer Charlton]

Duty is duty, standing on the street at parade rest, sitting by the phone, or taking fire; your first line. If they are retired, they no longer are serving duty. Respect their entire tour of duty.

 

[DLB]

There is a HUGE difference between ACTIVE reserves and INACTIVE reserves. A lot of people who enlist/commission sometimes don't even know about the inactives. If you sign up for say, 4 years. No matter what.....bottom line. You're signed up for 8 years. While 4 years you may wear a uniform, and the latter 4 you never see the light of day near the military. The government still owns you for 8 years. 8 is the magic number. After that, they can't sink their teeth into you anymore.

On that subject though, I have never ever ever ever seen someone mention their INACTIVE reserve status. It's extremely inaccurate to say you're serving the country in that capacity. They don't even give you a military ID card if you're on INACTIVE status.

Drop the INACTIVE, but by all means, include all RESERVE/GUARD duty. (Side Note: RESERVES are federal service and GUARD is state service.)

dave.