4
4
0
I am looking to join the reserves right now. I have heard that it is difficult to transfer from reserves to active duty, and I may lose bonuses to be classified as "prior service" is this the case? I'm potentially looking to become an officer when I finish college (I'm a college sophomore) but I want to start my military career now and finish my degree on time.
Posted in these groups: 
Reserves
Prior Service
Reserves Prior Service
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
I would recommend trying to get into ROTC. I know you need at least 2yrs left, but it’s worth it
(4)
(0)
SPC Ted Ronayne
Yeah I know I would, so I'd probably end up biting a bullet there. But I've heard of split training so that might help. I may very well have enough time over two summers to take ait and basic separately and not miss school. I'm not sure how that would affect weekend drill and bonuses though.
(0)
(0)
SMSgt Thor Merich
ROTC is the way to go. I know several folks who have gone that route. It’s a great program that too many folks don’t take advantage of.
(1)
(0)
SPC Ted Ronayne
I'll give it a look see. The only thing is I'd love to be trained and start doing my job now (I was looking at the army back in high school but it got pushed off because I was obese) and I'd take pride in being a reservist with the potential to immediately serve my country at any moment. I'll give it a look, but I suppose I'm approaching it with a "bird in the hand is worth two in the bush analogy"
(0)
(0)
SPC Ted Ronayne
Of course though, I'm trying to avoid a "yes kid you have that bird in your hand but those two in the bush aren't in your contract so I can't help you" kind of situation.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
Good responses, I agree it is generally difficult. I finished my career as an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) in a Reserve unit and reviewed all transfer requests to active duty. Don't ask why JAG is doing G1's job, that's another story. Our Commanding General wouldn't approve transfers to the active duty of a Soldier was on his first enlistment. His thought was the Reserves just spent a lot of money to train you and that he wasn't going to simply give you over to the active duty side. It's a pot of money issue as well as the need for Soldiers. Some Reserve units are hard to fill so commands don't like to give up easily. Sometimes they look at you and say you signed a contract for the Reserves so you need to keep your commitment. I know there are good reasons for wanting to transfer to active duty but part of it depends on the command you are in and what is the intent of the commander. I went from active duty to the Reserves and then wanted to go back active but they weren't taking my rank or MOS at the time and then someone suggested going AGR. That turned out to be a great career move for me. I hope things work out for you.
(3)
(0)
1
1
0
SPC Ted Ronayne
I'll have to take a look but that might extend my time in school. I've been told an enlisted mos in the reserves can take two years off ROTC, I'll have to look
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Ted, it is super difficult to transfer over. In fact, just because you ask it doesn't mean that your command will let you. You will become classified as prior service, so it will restrict your enlistment options. Any bonuses you receive may have to be paid back. If your end goal is to be Active Duty, then enlist Active Duty. You can always attend OCS or go in the Green-to-Gold program once on Active Duty. I tell you this as someone who in the end always wanted to be Active Duty, but instead chose Reserve due to peer pressure. It is my biggest regret. I am in the process of trying to get a transfer to Active Duty. It has been 3 years and it has been a lot or trouble between me and my unit.
(1)
(0)
SPC Ted Ronayne
That's the kind of stuff I don't want to happen. I want to go active duty, but I also want to serve my country while being a full time student. I've been considering OCS for when I graduate. Problem is I'm trying to plan out my army life before I'm even part of it, which is a fools errand I suppose.
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Ted, it's smart to plan out your Army life before you join. Most people regret not planning their military career more beforehand. I understand your eagerness to serve, but if you want to serve while in school AND become Active Duty immediately following graduation, see if you can get a 3 or 4-year Reserve contract. I believe this option is very limited to specific MOS', but it's worth a shot if this is the route you wish. If a short contract isn't available for the Reserves, I would just be patient and hold off until you can go AD. It was my eagerness that got me stuck in my predicament, and it is easily my biggest regret. If you decide to choose Reserves and find yourself unable to get a release, you can always find active duty orders through certain websites, known as ADOS orders
(1)
(0)
SPC Ted Ronayne
I'll talk to my recruiter and see what I can do. I'll wait a little longer if I have to.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
If you do commission through ROTC and end up in the Reserves as an officer, almost yearly (recently) the do a Call to Active Duty for Reserve and NG officers and Warrants to serve indefinitely on Active.
(1)
(0)
SPC Ted Ronayne
I don't know if it's too late for me to go ROTC, but I'll have to see what I can do. There is also the thought in the back of my mind that I may like the enlisted life over an officer life.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
As a Reservist I know that it is difficult to go AD. You would be prior service in this instance as you will be on AD for initial training. I'd finish college first. You'll do better.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
How much longer you have in college? If you can wait then enlist active first then try to become an officer but if you wanna become an officer don’t do reserve. You can also join the military as an officer but an hard process. Do do reserve then try to switch!
(0)
(0)
SPC Ted Ronayne
I'm currently a sophomore but I technically become a junior in a month at the close of the semester. I'm looking to enlist now due to the benefits for school and the potential to start my career now as opposed to waiting. (Its a part time job with a paycheck that feeds into my long term goals) I'm not sure if I want to apply directly for OCS after college.
I want to enlist in the reserves then transfer to active duty in the MOS I chose. However I know that is subject to the needs of the army.
I just want to find out if I can guarantee anything pertaining to a transfer Active duty before I sign away for my 8 years, because anything not on my contract isn't worth a thing so I'm told.
I want to enlist in the reserves then transfer to active duty in the MOS I chose. However I know that is subject to the needs of the army.
I just want to find out if I can guarantee anything pertaining to a transfer Active duty before I sign away for my 8 years, because anything not on my contract isn't worth a thing so I'm told.
(1)
(0)
SGT Eric Davis
Well it won’t be guaranteed a transfer as eblisted or Officer: since you stil a junior you can look into ROTC and do that you might not get the scholarship but you not worried about that. So do ROTC Cause that’s your best option especially since you wanna enlist now!!
(1)
(0)
SPC Ted Ronayne
Alright I'll give a call to the ROTC office at the school near me on Monday. God help me if it doesn't work out haha.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google