Can I lose my NCO rank if I go from Army guard to active duty?

I have seen it go both ways. If you go into a critical shortage MOS that the Army is hurting for, you could actually negotiate to gain a rank, especially if you have been in the NG for a long time. However if you try to go into a balanced or overage MOS, count on losing something. You should be talking with two people. First, a trusted senior active army vet or active duty person, then take that person with you to talk to the recruiter. Because the recruiter is only going to tell you what he has to in order to meet his quota for that month, quarter, or year. Unfortunately, that is not necessarily the whole truth or an outright lie. If you were changing from active to guard I would say find a trusted NG vet to talk with and take with you. Good luck.

Yes

Here's the most recent guidelineshttp://m.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/continue-serving/active-duty/prior-service-business-rules.m.html

I would say it could be a good chance it could happen. When I went from National Guard to Active I had just pinned my E4 and I made sure it was in my contract that I kept my rank.

I believe that depends on the recruiter.

Not sure why they feel the need to take away from already been earned, makes no sense to me. If they don’t need your rank in your MOS to go active simply say no or you’ll have to change fields.

All depends on the needs of the Army. It often changes. Many years ago I was an National Guard 11B SSG and was accepted back on active duty as a SSG and retained time in grade BUT they would only accept me as a recruiter because I was a previous recruiter and the Army was short recruiters. I chose not to do it. Couple years later tried again and was accepted as an 11B SSG with my choice of dity assignment. Didn't do it because I wanted to stay married. After.my first tour in Afghanistan in 2005 was given the choice to transition to AD as a SFC 11B. All I had to do was sign the documents. After a tour in Iraq with 3rd ID Div HQ Red Team i was asked if i wanted transition to AD as a MSG. Said no. Fast forward to 2012 when there was no longer a need for more AD NCO's since there was a drawdown in forces I tried to stay AD because at this point I had 17 1/2 years accumulated AD BUT the Army said we changed our rules and we wont let you do any active duty tours or transition to AD because you hit sanctuary at 18 years and have to keep you until you retire. Ended my career with just under 30 years total service and 17 1/2 years active duty. Needs of the Army. I've seen active duty SSG & SFC 11B's transition to a Guard Infantry Battalion and have to take a reduction to SGT because all the SSG & SFC positions were filled. BUT have also seen them keep their rank at different times. Needs of the Army is always the way just like we started taking some felons and people with neck and hand tattoos during the surge in Iraq.

It’s very possible. Back in the day, I spent 5 years in the Reserves. I left the Reserves as an O-2. In spite of having a college degree, I went on Active Duty as an E-3! I have no bitterness or regrets, but it would have been sweet to pick up the rank I gained as a Reservist on AD.

I went back in after 5 years out and they told me I was going to lose a stripe, I told them to piss off, and they miraculously found a waver for me to keep rank and not go back to boot camp. Keep talking and say the right things and you might be ok, if not, show you deserve the rank and get the points and you'll be right back there

Should have lost it already. STEP has been in place for years now. You should have gone to school within a year of the promotion (with deployment exceptions obviously) or lost the rank. So, don't sweat it too much. Can't be too worried or you probably would have made the school more of a priority to begin with.