Does anybody know what the process is to go from Active Duty US Army to Air National Guard?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 May 2023 12:01:07 -0400

I have submitted a DD 368 but nobody at any level seems to know what the process is or who the approving authority is. Any help is appreciated, thanks. I have about a year and a half left on my active duty contract.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made May 2 at 2023 12:18 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Tue, 02 May 2023 12:18:59 -0400

Don't want to rain on your parade, but it is very unlikely to happen. The most likely route is to ETS and enlist in the Guard.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2023 12:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 May 2023 12:50:21 -0400

Then who did you submit it to? I'm pretty sure the Air Force, active or guard, doesn't take too many prior service from other branches though.

Have you talked to an Air Guard recruiter?

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made May 2 at 2023 1:08 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Tue, 02 May 2023 13:08:41 -0400

COL Randall C. MSG Private RallyPoint Member can either of you assist?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2023 4:39 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 May 2023 16:39:29 -0400

I believe the approving authority (AD) would be the first one star in your chain of command. Your actual chances of getting it approved are probably less then 1%. Especially since you have a year and a half of contract remaining. As others have mentioned it will be much easier after you ETS and the recruiter will handle all the paperwork. I personally have went from the Corps (after ETS) to the Guard to the Navy Reserve back to the Guard using a DD-368 and was never out of contract.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 2 at 2023 5:44 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 02 May 2023 17:44:33 -0400

This has been asked and answered on RP before. You can not be released from AD to go to another branch or another compo. You have to ETS and join the ANG.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2023 8:58 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 May 2023 20:58:58 -0400

There are four valid reasons for submitting a DD 368 for conditional release, and wanting to leave early to join a reserve component is not one of them:
-Conscientious Objector Discharge.
-Early Release for Education. (requires acceptance to a resident fulltime college program, and is really only about 90 days)
-Military Hardship Discharges. (must prove staying in is a legit financial hardship to you or or your dependents, AND you have a means to earn more immediately after release)
-Convenience of the Government. (like when your MOS is dropped, more cost effective to enlist and train a new guy than reclass you, or a medical problem that restricts your duties but doesn't meet the criteria of medical discharge).

You mention "it doesn't hurt to try", but it really does in this case.
Since you weren't seeking a conditional release for a valid reason, everyone involved in processing that DD 368 wasted time that was better spent on Personnel Actions that are legitimate.

When you are 12 months out from your ETS, book an appointment with the Reserve Components Career Counselor at your post. And book a second one if you need time to consider all of the options available.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2023 8:08 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 May 2023 08:08:17 -0400

Worse scenario like me I had all my documents waiting with the recruiter as my army national guard unit wouldn't release me early. I was in essentially in about 30 days. Within 2-3 months I was working full time at my air guard unit.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2023 8:32 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 May 2023 08:32:34 -0400

What job/AFSC are you trying to get ?

Response by SSG Dale London made May 3 at 2023 12:37 PM

SSG Dale London — Wed, 03 May 2023 12:37:11 -0400

The normal process is quite straight forward: you serve on active duty until ETS then drop in to a National Guard recruiting office and sign the paperwork. Job done.
Any other way (i.e. request for personnel action) is very likely to fail at battalion or brigade. There are established processes for going from reserve to active. Going in the other direction is swimming against the flow. If there is a process for it I have never seen or heard of it. More than likely, neither has your PSNCO or BN CDR.
I wish you luck but suggest you just sit quietly and wait for your ETS. Better yet - push for E-5 while you wait. It is much easier to be promoted while on active duty.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 4 at 2023 10:44 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Thu, 04 May 2023 10:44:02 -0400

A DD368 is the form need to transfer from Reserve Duty to Active Duty. For Active Duty, DA 4187 Personnel Action to HRC. I've never seen a case where they released a soldier from Active Duty to the Reserves/National Guard.