Can you transfer from National Guard back to IRR as prior service (USMC)?

2021-07-11T14:33:00-04:00

I have served 4 years in the USMC as a infantry machine gunner and was honorably discharged. Then signed a contract with the National Guard to serve out my remaining years with them instead of IRR. After being with my National guard unit for 6 months better job opportunities have become attainable that we’re not at the time of me leaving the Marine Corps, and will not work properly when combined with both school and drill. Is it possible to transfer back to IRR under these circumstances. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2021 2:38 PM

2021-07-11T14:38:52-04:00

You can apply to transfer from the ARNG to the IRR. Your prior service USMC is irrelevant, you are a Guardsman now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2021 4:01 PM

2021-07-11T16:01:51-04:00

Your prior service bears no weight in this. You can request transfer to the IRR through your state and guard unit but they have no obligation to allow the transfer. Not saying you would or wouldnt, but if someone decides to ditch the guard because it’s inconvenient and they’re separated under less than honorable conditions, their previous discharges don’t matter either. They can lose their VA and education benefits.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2021 4:04 PM

2021-07-11T16:04:49-04:00

You can not. There is a thing called the Inactive National Guard but you will still have to serve your time but you will stop being active in the Guard for a while. The Guard is just like any other service. Would you be able to ask the Marines to go to the IRR? It is the same answer with the Guard.

Response by SPC Rodolfo Gonzalez made Jul 11 at 2021 4:05 PM

2021-07-11T16:05:24-04:00

When you transferred into the national guard did you switch mos? Get send to school?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jul 14 at 2021 1:24 PM

2021-07-14T13:24:28-04:00

Is your problem location or time conflict? If it is location and there are other locations that have your MOS within the same state, it a simple process to transfer to a unit closer to your new location. If it's out of state, that requires an Interstate Transfer, but if you know the rules, that isn't impossible either.
If you are worried about time for school, I will tell you that about 1/3 of the enlisted in the Combat Engineer Company I commanded were full time college students. I had to schedule a makeup drill for some of them on occasion, but generally Drill and AT didn't adversely effect their schooling.