Has anybody switched from the army national guard to the army reserves?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 23:53:35 -0500

I was prior enlisted in the national guard then became an SMP cadet with the national guard. Is it possible for me to still switch and commission into the reserves upon commissioning? If so, what do I need to get done?

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Mar 7 at 2019 11:56 PM

LTC Stephan Porter — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 23:56:10 -0500

Yes, if you did not commission yet, you are not committed to your SMO unit!

Response by LTC John Mohor made Mar 7 at 2019 11:57 PM

LTC John Mohor — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 23:57:34 -0500

Be sure to read the fine print in your enlistment contract to make sure you don’t have a catch all phrase about commissioning into the guard. Be sure to do your best and get high on the OML list and try and get the branch you want. Now if you want combat arms then go Guard. If you want combat support or service support then you have options for the Reserve side.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Mar 8 at 2019 12:59 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 00:59:23 -0500

You can so long you are committed in some way shape or form to the guard. Nevertheless, why not go Regular Army?

Response by 1LT Ryan Millican made Mar 8 at 2019 10:18 AM

1LT Ryan Millican — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 10:18:11 -0500

If you’re SMP with the National Guard, more than likely you won’t be able to commission into the Reserves. You need to talk to you PMS or APMS or your Admin. If you were GRFD it might be a little more possible.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Mar 8 at 2019 5:33 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 17:33:12 -0500

So it is possible with the right conditions. If you are on a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty scholarship contract that is over 2 years, you are dedicated to the National Guard. If you have a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty scholarship that is 2 years, you can select either Guard or Reserve. You would do that as part of your accessions process after Advanced Camp. If you are on a non-scholarship contract, you can do active duty, reserve, or guard.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2019 1:06 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 13:06:43 -0500

As others mentioned, you need to check your GFRD contract. A Minuteman - Guard option locks you in the Guard, while a Minuteman - Reserve option locks you in the Reserves.

I was enlisted in the Guard than took a GFRD. I commissioned into the Reserves, so it is possible. Just get clarification on your contract.

Response by MAJ Gregory Moon made Mar 9 at 2019 9:18 PM

MAJ Gregory Moon — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 21:18:43 -0500

I suspect that you have commitment to the guard. Once you are outside any commitment time you can switch. I had a MD guard EN officer switch to USAR because there weren't any EN slots effectively for him. It's essentially like any other transfer at that point. You have to get approval from the losing and the gaining unit. Transferring records is a something you would have to be diligent about. The state maintains your records not HRC. So things like qualifications and retirement points can get screwed up. If you expect to be moving in your civilian life being USAR is easier to move around the country.

Response by 1LT Christopher Gonzales made Mar 12 at 2019 5:14 PM

1LT Christopher Gonzales — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 17:14:56 -0400

Make sure you follow up on your contract. When I commissioned as SMP, my enlisted contract was null and void. My new contract took precedent. So, while I was NG from Enlisted, I commissioned Active Duty. Read the contract, but don't just sit on it. Ask for guidance to really understand it

Response by LTC Betty Holm made Mar 13 at 2019 10:45 PM

LTC Betty Holm — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 22:45:19 -0400

Yes for many MOS positions it was and still probably the only way to make Rank.