Under what circumstances can a retired enlisted member of the Navy be ordered back to active duty without their consent?

A retired enlisted member of the Navy can be ordered back to active duty without their consent during wartime or a national emergency. This authority is granted as part of the military's need to quickly mobilize forces in response to significant threats or conflicts that require additional personnel beyond what is currently active. In these situations, the government may invoke laws or policies that allow for the recall of retired service members to meet operational demands.

The basis of this provision lies in ensuring national security and the readiness of military forces when the nation is facing extraordinary circumstances. This serves the dual purpose of maintaining an effective force while also upholding the commitment of service members to the nation.

Other scenarios such as training exercises, whether military or during peacetime, do not typically justify the involuntary recall of retired personnel. The emphasis is on significant threats or emergencies rather than routine operations or exercises, which rely on currently active duty members.