DD 368 Army Reserves to Coast Guard Active Duty?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 10:02:11 -0400

I am currently in the Army Reserves as a 1LT but have seen opportunities to do the same job (35 series) with the Coast Guard on the Active Duty side. I know I would need the DD 368 which brings into my initial obligation being met yet, it'll hit in 2022 as my initial was 6 years. However, the 6 years on my contract simply states military service obligation and could this be seen as just transferring branches but still staying within the realm of military service time?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jul 30 at 2019 10:30 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 10:30:17 -0400

Even before the transfer to Homeland Security and even though it isn't DOD, Coast Guard duty is considered military duty. This happens mainly because the Coast Guard is transferred to the Navy Dept. if there is a declared war.

Response by LCDR Keith Trepanier made Jul 30 at 2019 12:58 PM

LCDR Keith Trepanier — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 12:58:03 -0400

It is possible but the Army has full discretion on whether they let you out of that obligation or not. The Coast Guard will not even consider your request to transfer until you have the release from service paperwork completed.

I wanted to expand a little bit on my comment so I came back and edited my original post. Sorry for any confusion it may cause. I understand what you are thinking in regards to your contract only stating "military service obligation" but that does not mean you can arbitrarily switch from service to service or even MOS to MOS when you want. As I noted, the service you are currently obliged to holds all the cards. If they want to keep you for the remainder of your current contract then you are stuck there until they say otherwise. The receiving service has no pull to get you over to their side.

With that, you can switch and that time will count toward initial service payback requirements (8 years). It is done regularly between all services. But your original contract is basically void if you switch. You will receive a new service obligation with your new service.

And Captain Cable, the Coast Guard is considered military duty because it is a military service just like the other services. It has nothing to do with the potential of transferring to the Navy which it has not done since WWII. Additionally, It doesn't automatically transfer to the Navy during a declared war. All or none if the service can be placed under Naval Command but the Coast Guard is still the Coast Guard, even when operating under the Navy. Similar to how the Marine Corps operates. As an example, Coast Guard Boatswain Mates were still in the Coast Guard when they landed troops on Normandy and in the Pacific Theater.

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jul 30 at 2019 2:42 PM

SGT Javier Silva — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 14:42:24 -0400

I do not believe a DD 368 will be approved. At this moment, the USCG is part of the Department of Homeland Security. The only way to be sure is to do it.