The Fleet Reserve was established to provide experienced personnel for the first stages of mobilization during an emergency or in time of war. The Fleet Reserve is made up of former enlisted members of the regular Navy or Naval Reserve who can fill such billets without further training.
As
an enlisted
member of the
regular Navy or
Naval Reserve, a member is eligible for transfer to the Fleet Reserve
after serving at least 20
years of service in the armed forces.
Any
member of
the Fleet Reserve may be recalled to active duty, at any time,
without consent.
After
the member
has completed
30 years of service (which includes active-duty, reserve duty and Fleet
Reserve time
combined) he/she is transferred to the Retired List.
Unlike transfer to the Fleet Reserve, the 30-year retirement is a right, guaranteed by law.
A retired member may be recalled to active duty in time of war or national emergency at the discretion of the Secretary of the Navy, but, will not be recalled to active duty under any other conditions without consent.