Has anyone switched from Army Reserves to Active duty?

2024-02-08T16:44:02-05:00

Did you have to go through the whole MEPS process again? Or only talk to the career counselor and submit MEDPROS and ARB etc?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2024 5:00 PM

2024-02-08T17:00:12-05:00

The process is as follows:

1) Find an Active Duty Recruiter.
2) Submit a DA Form 368 Conditional Release
3) Go thru MEPS
4) Await Ship Date when everything is GREEN and you've sworn in (again).

Yes. You go thru the ENTIRE MEPS process. To include the Duck Walk again. Since you would be considered Prior Service, you fall under Prior Service Business rules and you see the Career Counselor/Sign Contract/Conduct Oath after all the IETs

Response by COL Randall C. made Feb 9 at 2024 8:11 AM

2024-02-09T08:11:06-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member - A few things to add in addition to what MSG Private RallyPoint Member gave (his #1 is a 'foot stomp' .. it all starts with seeing an Active Duty recruiter).

He mentioned "Prior Service Business rules". The difference between someone walking in as a blank slate and you is that you will be limited based on those rules. The bottom line is that there have to be current vacancies on the active duty side you can transfer into (for your current MOS) or you'll be given a limited set of MOSes you can transfer into based on your current rank.

Additionally, as long as you don't separate from the reserve component and transfer to the active component (i.e., the conditional release route), or if you do separate, as long as you reenlist within certain time frames (varies based on requirement), then there are many items that are abbreviated or reused from your first enlistment.

● You probably won't be required to go through the physical again as long as you have one that is current within a year (will need your current PHA and immunization records from MEDPROS). If you're switching to a MOS on active duty that has physical entrance requirements above and beyond the normal exam though, you would be. This is especially important if you did sustain an injury/illness during your enlistment.

There is a difference between the medical standards to enlist and the medical standards to be retained. As long as you are currently an active member (not 'active duty', 'active') of the military or are within 12 months of separation, then the "retain" standards apply and not the "enlist" standards. If you have to go through BCT again for some reason, you'll likely get a full physical.

● Unless you're transferring into an active duty MOS that has a higher requirement than the ASVAB you took for your current enlistment, you probably won't be required to retake the ASVAB (you won't need a new one if you're going into your current MOS or if the ASVAB scores meet the new MOS requirements*).

There are many other items that may not be required (see AR 601-210*, Chapter 3), but the medical and qualification test are the two big ones.
-------------------------------------
* The ASVAB has changed over the years, so the requirements from the time you took the test apply, not the current requirements. See DA Pam 611-21 - https://armyreup.s3.amazonaws.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/26130943/DA-PAM-611-21-20210126.pdf
* AR 601-210 (Regular Army and Reserve Components Enlistment Program) - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30575-AR_601-210-000-WEB-1.pdf
* additional reference: Multi-service regulation (AR 601-270 for the Army) for Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) - https://health.mil/Reference-Center/Policies/2011/09/13/Military-Entrance-Processing-Station

DA-PAM-611-21-20210126.pdf

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 9 at 2024 6:20 PM

2024-02-09T18:20:53-05:00

Did you use the GI Bill in the reserves?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2024 2:33 PM

2024-02-11T14:33:23-05:00

I actually only spoke to a career counselor no physical or anything medpros were green accross the board signed my contract with active duty already!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2024 9:08 AM

2024-02-13T09:08:06-05:00

Please don't. Save yourself. AD is a scam.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2024 11:39 PM

2024-02-16T23:39:10-05:00

Let me explain the entire process via pm if you're interested.

Response by SSG Dale London made Feb 21 at 2024 7:24 PM

2024-02-21T19:24:54-05:00

I went from the National Guard to active duty and had to do the whole MEPS thing, but as prior service, not as a new recruit. It was a little simpler but basically the same process. Once I was accepted, I had to be released from my Guard unit but it was more a formality than an obstacle.