Tom...
When I joined The Army for 3 years in 1955 in New Jersey, was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas for Basic Training. There, coming together with all the other of 150 and 100% Volunteer Recruits (from all over The Country), we made up the new 10th Recon Co. of the newly re-activated 10th Division, at times called: 10th Mountain Division.
The other 45 personnel of a TO&E strength of 195 were Cpls, Sgts and Officers, which were our DI's. Plus, We went to Germany for 28 months with Our Recon Teachers.
Regardless, and to sort-of answer your question, of the 150 snot noses (myself included) and/or volunteers,...there were more than a few that enlisted for 4 years. When asking them why(?), they all pretty-much said: "What's-the-big-deal"? "It's only an extra Year". Naturally, when many of us were being discharged after 3 years of 70 to 80% Field Duty (Division Aggressors, Czech/West Germany Border Patrol, Test Battalions at Graf),...most all had a different perspective on the matter.
So, I guess that depending on the expertise of The Gunny or Sfc Recruiter, one can volunteer for 3, 4, or 6 years (maybe even more, if recruiter looking for a bonus?).
Neil
|