Does the Army violate the enlistment contract?

This depends on what exactly you're asking. Does the Army violate some sort of recruiting contract? i.e. did your recruiter say you'd be a ultra-secret super-special sniper/assassin saving the world solo, and then the Army made you a cook with the rest of the POGs? That's to be avoided by making yourself competitive and never signing a contract you don't read and understand. Fact of life in the military--nothing's true until you read it on paper. And then there's usually a waiver somewhere/somehow to change that too.

I'm not so sure about the 8-year thing either. Enlistments last 2, 4, and 6 years last I heard, though you become part of the Inactive Ready Reserve for a few extra years once you finish the initial time. IRR only gets called up in time of war. A few have been called up for OEF/OIF.

As far as getting out at the end of your contract, stop-loss is historically uncommon, but has been recently used to prevent people from jumping ship when the Army needs them most. It usually doesn't last long though.

The 8 year contract is what all initial enlistments are for, regardless of which branch of service you enter.

Active enlistments can be for 4-6 years, I think in the Army you can do 2 and 3 year enlistments, not sure though.

The 8 years comes in as inactive reserve. If you enlist for 4 years, you are active the first 4, but inactive the second 4. There are no drills, no mandatory formations or anything like that, but the service reserves the right to recall you if needed. Kind of like the draft, except you already agreed to get recalled when you enlisted.

I have been in for 13, and since that is more than 8, if I get out tomorrow I have no inactive reserve time to serve.

The contract is like any other legally binding contract. If you are promised something in the contract, it has to be upheld. If they promise something to you face-to-face, but do not put it in the contract, there is nothing you can do other than not sign it. Once you sign it, they do not have to abide by anything not written down. If you want it, make sure its written down. Get what you want, be patient and it should work out for you. Time is your ally and the recruiter's enemy.

Yes, all branches pull the bait and switch when trying to recruit. I know first hand that recruiters will say and do almost anything to get you to sign on the dotted line. However, if they've offered you a sign on bonus or something similar and you get it in writing then you should be okay. Get it all in writing and read the fine print.

When my husband was planning on joining the Air Force his recruiter took us to dinner. She had no idea that I had grown up a military brat. My dad was retired Air Force. She asked what I was in college for. I told her I was working toward my education degree and I was presently teaching pre-school. She told me I should join. I asked why. There is nothing for me in the military. She actually said to me, "You can teach pre-school or get a job within the base daycares as a manager or supervisor." I laughed in her face. It doesn't work that way AT ALL. Military dependants and civilians run those programs. They fall under services (in the AF anyway) but actual military personnel do not work within those places. I wouldn't actually be working with the kids or even in the actual buildings. She wanted me to believe I would. She told a few other lies and I just laughed and laughed and then told her my dad was in the military for more than 20 years. She turned a nice shade of red, excused herself and said we were welcome to finish our meal but she had another obligation.

If either party is in breach then the contract is void. Changes may be offered to the soldier, if not accepted the soldier is discharged. This happens in basic for example when a person is not honest about their paperwork and is unable to obtain the proper clearance...or has physical limitations not listed are found at a later date.

By in large if qualified you get what you ask for.

The contract is a legal contract, so if one party breaks the accord the contract becomes null and void. Could they break it? Yes. Is the contract still valid? No

um my bf that just finished the ROTC program had his contract changed like 3 times and he says they can change it again whenever they want to. i dont know about enlisted men though. good luck and hopefully they dont :)