Court Opinion

ID: 9462585
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 22:44:29.877284+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:37:39.546335
License: Public Domain

CRAVEN, Circuit Judge
(dissenting):
The United States loses when it treats one of its citizens unfairly. In this case it is stipulated that “. . . the usual procedure by the Army and the Army Reserve in enlistment contracts containing terms similar to the one in dispute in this action is to return the enlistment contract to the enlisting officer and inform the enlistee that the Army will not honor such a term but will give the enlistee a chance to rescind the contract if he desires . . . .” It is further stipulated that the usual procedure outlined above was not followed in Reamer’s case. The government suggests no reason why it discriminated against Reamer.
Nothing could be clearer than the words “delayed from entry on ACDUTRA or active duty until 1 February, 1969” appearing in the enlistment contract. But it is an empty promise, so the majority holds, because the delay was not “authorized or directed by the Department of the Army.” My brothers hold that the officers of the Army with whom Reamer dealt and who obtained his signature to the enlistment contract represented the Department of the Army for the purpose of getting him to sign the contract, but not for the purpose of putting the words of delay in it. It is a distinction too fine for me, and one to which I cannot assent.
In the new era of the volunteer Army, I am surprised that the government would want what it now has obtained: a decision which, if publicized, must be read by prospective enlistees to mean: Warning! You may not safely rely upon the terms of your enlistment contract.