Sanford says he and his wife, Jenny, discussed his service in the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron based in Charleston before making the decision. The 42 year old former congressman was commissioned on January 30th, 2002, but has not completed his two weeks of required officer training.

He says he wouldn't have to hand over the reigns of the state to the lieutenant governor to complete that training, something he says he may do in March or April.

An Air Force Reserve spokesman in Charleston has said Sanford's unit has not been notified it will be called up. Sanford says he would not resign as governor if he were on an extended deployment and he may seek a court's opinion about whether the state constitution prohibits him from keeping his commission.