I'm planning on applying to an ROTC program, and I know that there is an 8 year service requirement after completion of the program. I'm planning on serving for a while longer than that and most likely making a career out of the military. On the army website it states (during your required 8 years of service) "You can serve full time in the Army for three years (four years for scholarship winners), with the balance in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR)." Does this mean I can only go on active duty for 4 of my req. 8 years? Is it a maximum or minimum of years of active duty? Also, would this mean that when I am in the IRR, I wouldn't be a full member of the military (living on base, full pay, etc.)?