Posted on Apr 5, 2018
What is the current time frame of a DD 368 being approved/denied?
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Anyone currently going through the process or recently went through it? My husband was previously active army for 3 1/2 years and was being offered early ETS. Wanted to see what the Civilan life had to offer. Soon after he got out he enlisted in army reserves for 6 years to continue our benefits (insurance, free school, etc.). He is 2 1/2 years into his reserves contract and ready to go back active. Civilian life hasn't offered any good job opportunities that can match the lifestyle and job security as the army does. So he has submitted his dd 368 form/packet, commander over his reserves unit is signing it this weekend. We know time frames can very with each person, just wondering what your experience has been and how long it took. Thank you!
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Transition
Transition
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 6
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Following thread for any others currently undergoing this process. Helpful if anyone else under 3MCDS. I too am awaiting 368 approval from CG, request packet was sent to division last week in ePat. My understanding is that it will take months to make the climb. From my experience a whole packet (4187, recommendation memos, DD4, etc) needed to be submitted along with the DD 368 requested by the recruiter in order to support the request for release. Your unit UA should aleady have this information, but mine was chronically unavailable and I hit up my local RSC for help. I built the packet myself and after 4 months at the unit level it was finally entered into ePat (hopefully others will never have to endure the amount of "it's not my job" that I had to up to this point.) The release is good for 6 months from approval, just make sure that your plans afterward are in alignment within that time period. Keep in touch with your S-1/UA to check on status at least every other week.
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1LT (Join to see)
What does a whole packet consist of? I am looking into submitting one myself in hopes for approval but I haven't been able to find information on it.
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CPT (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) Your UA/S1 should know, if they don't your higher should have an SOP for it. In my case, there was checklist put out by the RSC which required not only the DD 368, but also a DA 4187 and MFR with each level Commander endorsing release, and whatever documents supports your release. Its going to vary by command.
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PFC (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) for the 6 months before it expires if it expires are you still apart of that unit? Like what happens when it expires does anything happen?
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CPT (Join to see)
PFC (Join to see) Nothing changes. You remain in same unit. The process would have to be initiated again at the unit level. Once the 368 is approved by the release authority, it's just a document supporting another step in the overall release process. Once you've secured the release, you need to get it to whomever is helping you transition out. When I finally got mine it went with my direct commission application up to HRC to initiate process for discharge and appointment orders.
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Depends on the command, but a good estimate is 3-5 months.
Approvals of the 368 needs to happen at each echelon from company to first General Officer, and that takes a while.
Then the discharge from the Reserve needs to happen after he's enlisted in the Regular Army. That takes less time, but 30 days is typical.
Approvals of the 368 needs to happen at each echelon from company to first General Officer, and that takes a while.
Then the discharge from the Reserve needs to happen after he's enlisted in the Regular Army. That takes less time, but 30 days is typical.
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Well first, his immediate commander is signing off that he is okay with the transfer, but the actual authority comes from his higher command to release him. So first the paper work has to go up the chain, some units process this quickly others seem in no hurry. I think the release may have to come from the first full Colonel in his command but I could be wrong and it may have to go up to a 1 star depends on the unit and the rank structure. If there are no problems and they release him it could be a few weeks to a month depending on how fast the paper work gets processed. If he is using a recruiter they can help spend things up, since they usually know the right people in that process.
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Jenna James
Recruiter said it had to go to 1 star general and actually gave us his name and address!! He told my husband if he wanted to get it done now to write 1 star general a letter and skip all the other chains. But my husband feels that following the chain of command is the way to go. Apparently you don't want to piss anybody off or burn any bridges in the military.
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SSG (Join to see)
I would not want to piss off the chain, they can still slow things up even if it is signed. I worked as a UA in the reserves at the company level and sometimes the people in between me and the RRC could bottle neck things just because they were in no hurry.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
A conditional release does not need the approval of the Company or Battalion Commander. It does have to be signed off by the first 1 star in your chain of command. My experience on the National Guard side says it can happen fairly quick but it generally doesn't. One way to expedite the process is to get permission from your COC to hand carry the release. Most commanders at all levels have open door policies, so call and make an appointment to see him/her.
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