........ The puzzling thing to me is that no matter how you enlist your commitment is 8 years; some active some inactive (so I've read, would like a confirmation).......
eight years has been the standard, enlisted, contractual, obligation for many decades,...
once you begin combining enlisted obligation with commissioned officer expectations the math gets fuzzy,...
regardless, the armed services will want to get their investment back (or be able to exercise that option), manifested as either active service, or having you on the hook and eligible for active service (e.g. reserves) depending on the needs of the USN, USAF, USA, et al (sic),...
occasionally, the needs of the service are to cut you loose when you do not want to be cut loose and terminate your contract,...
life's a crap shoot, I'll leave it to the contractually astute to help you cut your best deal,...
you are right though, your's is a general question and has nothing specific to do with Navy Nuke unless you are stacking the deck for an eventual transfer into the NNPP, but that level of Machiavellian career planning is too bothersome from my vantage,...