Does AD-to-ARNG time in grade reset after a break in service?

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 15:36:03 -0400

If I separate from the active duty Air Force as a captain with 6 years time in grade, incur a break in service, then join the Army National Guard, do I start in the ARNG as a day-1 captain, or is there a more complicated rule-set that governs my new ARNG time in grade? Does anyone know the Army reg that covers this?

Response by CSM Rik Williamson made Jul 9 at 2018 4:29 PM

CSM Rik Williamson — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 16:29:22 -0400

Branch is irrelevant. You should retain your time in grade/DOR unless there was some type of administrative action that would preclude retention. For promotion to O4/Major you'd still be required to be selected and receive Fed Rec. I've known officers that went Army to Air with no problems as far as rank is concerned.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2018 4:40 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 16:40:01 -0400

I should clarify: I’m seeking a way to reset my time in grade to become eligible to try out for Special Forces. As an almost-major, I’m pretty useless to a prospective SF unit, but as a newer captain, I’d still have plenty of time to serve on a team. Is there a way to reset my captain clock? Are there waivers that would let me stay a captain long enough to be useful to a Special Forces ARNG unit?

I’m assuming here that ARNG operates in the same “up-or-out” paradigm that the active duty Air Force does. I.e. you’re either getting promoted or separated, but you can’t be a captain for more than 6 years. If that’s not the case, someone please feel free to correct me.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jul 9 at 2018 5:42 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 17:42:54 -0400

It used to be that you carried your time in grade with you. I'm not sure if that's still the way it is.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 4:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 16:28:28 -0400

When I switched over from reserves to active duty my DOR was reset to my first day in active duty. I lost a lot of time.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2018 7:59 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 07:59:31 -0400

I was an active duty SSG, with just under 39 months TIG. Then I had a break in service. When joining the National Guard I was told I would need to agree to a rank reduction to SGT, but was told that since I had been a SGT previously for 26 months before promotion to SSG my DOR would be calculated to go back 26 months, and I saw this entered into a database by individuals at MEPS just before signing my contract. This promise was not honored, however, and once I was in my TIG was reset to zero, as though I were a newly minted SGT fresh from the sham shield brigade.