When an active duty member is being separated for non-selection, are they unable to join Guard or Reserve units?

2023-09-30T09:04:51-04:00

When an active duty member who is being separated for non-selection, is one unable to join guard or reserve units?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2023 9:23 AM

2023-09-30T09:23:57-04:00

I do believe you can join the Guard or Reserve. Your Career Counselor will be your first stop IOT get definitive answers

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2023 9:24 AM

2023-09-30T09:24:48-04:00

You could also try rebranding to the Army. We have a shortage of Pharmacists

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Sep 30 at 2023 9:29 AM

2023-09-30T09:29:34-04:00

USAR is fully qualified and USA best qualified for promotion. USNR and USN may be same.

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 30 at 2023 9:58 AM

2023-09-30T09:58:29-04:00

I changed the wording of your question to match the text of your post (you asked "are you able" in your topic statement and "is one unable" in the body ... so an answer would be confusing based on what it was applied to).

Specific to your question - it depends - are you a regular Air Force commission or a Reserve Air Force commision on active duty? Is your MOS considered a critical skill in the Air Force (any COMPO)? Etc. Generally, the answer is "yes you can join the RC" but depending on your specific situation many things could impact you.

As others have pointed out - talk to a recruiter for the service component you want to join.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2023 12:33 PM

2023-10-01T12:33:18-04:00

Yes, you can. I have know a friend that was a non-select but then joined the Reserves and was promoted shortly after. He is still serving. I am sure there are more factors in this. If there is anything derogatory in their file that would limit their ability to transition.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 5 at 2023 2:17 PM

2023-10-05T14:17:56-04:00

Had that happen to me back in the day. 15% promotion rate and DOPMA firewalls set a hard exit date. The reserve side knew about it and were talking to me beforehand. One thing is to make sure you're talking to the Accessions Officer for your designator, NOT a recruiter. They have a handle on specific billits. Your record will be included in the next couple of go arounds. Drill, do ATs, etc. and get good paper for the boards. There is a limit of non promotion for the reserve side as well. A continuation board will be looking to see if you're worth keeping at that stage, but there are limits there as well. You might not even fall into the "we'll look at you" criteria.
You might want to get a record review from a senior officer who has sat boards. That officer can pretty much tell if you were cut at the first, second, or third crunch. I used to do that for Actives and Reserves in my designator. Given the number of boards I sat, it could get a bit awkward on occasion. Officers who haven't sat actual boards still go off of urban myths nor have seen the sheer quantity of records an actual Board Member has.