Posted on Jul 10, 2015
SrA Office Manager
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I always wanted to go active but my husband was against it when so I went with the NG. I told him I'd give it some time after I got home from AIT & if things weren't satisfactory (financially) after 6 months or so then I was going to look at going active.

My question is, if any of you have made the switch how seamless was it & were you able to keep your MOS or reclass? I spent a long time getting my MOS & clearance, I don't want to give either up. I did receive a bonus for enlisting & I'm aware that I'd more than likely lose that. Not a big deal since I have yet to even receive it. Any advice & input would be appreciated.
Posted in these groups: Michigan ARNG
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SFC Petroleum Supply Specialist
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It's not seamless. It will be difficult to be released from your state since you made an obligation to that state. Lots of paperwork and time spent explaining why you want to be released starting with your CoC, but it's up to the TAG if your packet gets up to HQ. Like PO1 John Miller has stated see if you can look for Title 32 (state) or Title 10 (federal) AGR jobs or look into the NG Technician program in your state. I'm in the process of transitioning from NG to RC for an AGR job in Ohio. The link below is how I applied for AGR.
Good luck!
https://www.hrc.army.mil/Enlisted/AGR%20Application%20Procedures
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SrA Office Manager
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Thank you SGT! I'll check out that site when I get home from work.
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PO1 John Miller
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Have you considered going AGR if your Guard unit has any openings? From what I've seen, AGR is the best of both worlds. You're active duty but in the National Guard. So you get the pay and benefits as active duty but you're still with your Guard unit. You also have a full-time job close to home, and you don't have to transfer every few years like your active duty Army counterparts do.
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PO1 John Miller
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Thanks SFC (Join to see). I've never served in the Guard myself, but I do work for the AZ ANG as a contractor so I have learned a little bit about how the Guard operates.
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SrA Office Manager
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PO1 John Miller, I have but as a PFC those aren't really available to me unfortunately. However, I'm eligible for promotion with a waiver come September so I may make SPC by the end of the year. I've also looked at Tour of Duty to check for openings on there. Most would require me to go to Benning, Bragg, etc for a year or so but that's if they'd even consider giving a PFC a SGT slot which I don't find to be likely considering how many people apply for these slots.
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PO1 John Miller
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PO2 Brian Rhodes
Active Guard Reserve. Full time Guardsmen. They're active duty but for the National Guard instead of for the Army or Air Force.
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SrA Office Manager
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So, I put in an AGR packet but if you've been in for less than a year & under a certain rank (it escapes me now but I think SGT) you need your O4 to write a recommendation. I don't even think he knows who I am so AGR isn't going to happen for a while. I did apply to 2 slots on Tour of Duty - both overseas. But they were given to NCOs. I'm on my way to drill now, I plan on talking to a few people this weekend & see what they say.
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SSG 92 A Automated  Logistics Specialist
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In the case of going active , same here my father did active duty for 22 years and I joined the NG.. There is a struggle of being active as a NG if you do not know the system. There website like mention before that you can apply for title 10/32 jobs and this will help you to either stay on orders or knock out active years of your service. Which I did I've been in for seven years and have six years of active duty I've only been to drill twice , reason being I'm always on active duty status, wether it's AGR or ADOS.
So website you should look into is AGRjobs.com for three years tours required submitting packages, your state website type your state then AGR (HRC) the AGR there depending on where you want to nationwide or with in state and Tourofduty/Mobcop, that's where I get my tours or PFI.army.mil this includes ADOS orders. Last two website depict oversea assignments as well.. Good luck.
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Has anyone here made the transition from NG to Active Duty?
SFC Retired
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Go active. It was the best decision I have ever made. I was reserve then active then national guard. Benn back on active duty since 1999
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LTC Tradoc Capability Manager Abct/Recon
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Try to see if you can get some ADSW work with your unit, that can be a good way for your unit to get to know you, and may lead to AGR acceptance.
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SrA Office Manager
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I'm not sure what that is, Sir but I'll definitely look into it! Thank you for your advice!
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LTC Tradoc Capability Manager Abct/Recon
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ADSW Is Active Duty for Special Work. Often the unit will have some money for doing things around the armories, or in preparation for training. They may also have some Man-day money available.
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SSgt Alex Robinson
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You should be able to do it but check with your recruiter.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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I made the switch during the surge. The fact I switched during the surge made it easier to get in. It wasn't seamless though. I was offered to keep my MOS, but I wanted to reclass. Really, it comes down to what the Army needs at the time.
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SFC Detachment Sergeant
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You could consider just having a discussion with an active duty recruiter. Make sure everything is in writing but also know that due to the expense of your clearance your current unit may be reluctant to let you go. You might also look at AGR. Hope this helps.
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SrA Office Manager
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i spoke with an active duty recruiter last week. He told me I needed all paperwork filled out first, once that's done then I go to MEPS & only at that point can I see job availability. Since I don't have 3 years TIS there's a chance I'd have to reclass. Silver lining is that I'm Intel & he said RA Needs Intel right now. My NCOIC told me last month he was going to try & get me promoted since my 18 months TIS is in Sept so I was thinking I may start pushing for RA in October.
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SFC Detachment Sergeant
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If you can get promoted before making the move that would be great. Just check with the active duty recruiter and make sure your promotion follows you. If not find out how soon you will be eligible to make E-4
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SFC Detachment Sergeant
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Also if you can get your SSD's completed that will go a long way towards making you competitive with your peers as far as promotion. If you have any college just make sure you get a couple of copies of your transcript as well. It will make a big difference going forward in today's Army. Good luck to you.
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SrA Office Manager
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Thanks SSG!
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SSG Team Chief
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It is definitely not the easiest process by far. I am currently on recruiting for active duty. My advice would be to talk to your local Army recruiter first and check out the business rules that we have for prior service.

There are certain stipulations that you must meet in order to make the transition from NG to RA. The business rules are very strict and based upon MOS and grade. So as I said, check with your local AD recruiter and see if your job and rank are available currently. If they are then next step would be getting the conditional release from your unit. Depending on how low on personnel your unit is it might be harder to get that than a unit that is over strength.
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SSG Team Chief
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Understood. If there is an opportunity for you to actually make it work and get active duty and your chain of command won't sign the condition release then that is selfish on their part. As a leader your responsibility is taking care of your soldiers to the best of your ability.

With that being said, you did sign a contract. Just gotta look at both sides of it. The spot you took could have been for another future soldier. Best of luck though. Hope it all works out for you.
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SFC Station Commander
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SrA (Join to see) - The business rules are in your favor right now. The real key will be getting released from your guard unit. Go to an active army recruiting center and get a 368 from them and then submit it to your chain of command with a letter that explains the hardship and why you want to be on active duty. That's the only and best way. Make sure you include a letter or they might just automatically deny it.
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SrA Office Manager
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SSG (Join to see) - I enjoy the soldiers I drill with & feel very fortunate to work with them. I would very much understand that if they weren't able to release me due to the unit being understaffed. That being said I would hope they'd assist me in finding an AGR/ADOS slot to help financially. If my finances go south, I have a chance of losing my clearance. Losing my clearance means losing my MOS & reclassing.
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SSG Team Chief
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I agree with you and know exactly what you are saying. I would hope that they would help you in accomplishing what need to be done on the best interest of you and the best interest of the unit.
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