Questions on Bush's military history still unanswered

This is not original reporting. All information has been compiled from The Washington Post.

President George Bush's military past has been called into question as doubts have circulated about whether he completed his National Guard duties in Alabama between 1972 and 1973.

On Dec. 13, 2003, Bush released all his military records in hopes of silencing questions pertaining to his involvement with the National Guard. However, these hundreds of pages, including all non-medical documents, did little to answer any of the questions surrounding Bush's past. A single dental exam from Jan. 13 is the only document that could place Bush on the Dannelly Air National Guard in 1972, where he was supposed to be serving. None of the documents provide information on Bush's duties or where he worked on the base.

There is still a six-month gap between April and October of 1972 and a three-month gap between January and April of 1973 in Bush's Guard involvement.

People inside and outside of the Pentagon acknowledge that the National Guard has a history of keeping loose records on reservists and guard members. Records on many personnel have gaps and missing data.

The only person who recalls seeing Bush on the base was John B. "Bill" Calhoun, 69, who was provided by the Republicans and reported seeing Bush eight to ten times on the base between May and October of 1972. However, during this time Bush was not on Guard duty in Alabama.

Bush may have met the minimal requirements for retirement credit. He was given an honorable discharge, but he did not meet the annual requirement for National Guard service.

Bush never served in Vietnam but was instead able to secure a coveted position flying jets in the U.S. part-time for the Texas National Guard. Through the help of family friend Red Blount, Bush was transferred to Alabama to help work on a Senate campaign.