Posted on Jan 20, 2016
SPC Human Resources Specialist
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I was wondering what options I have if I would like to volunteer for an active tour (ADOS, deployment). I have already tried the tour of duty website multiple times but have never been selected for a position. I've even triple checked my profile on that site to make sure it has all the right information. Don't even ask about AGR, as I've tried going that route but unfortunately my earlier years in the National Guard prevented that from happening, but that's my own fault. Like for example, can I call up local units and see if they are deploying anytime soon? I'm just curious about the different routes I can take on this. I've never deployed, but I feel like I've so much to get to the Army. I want to end my career with something to show for it. Thank you.
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1LT Ryan Millican
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Unfortunately the need for 42As is slowly diminishing in the operations overseas. Your best bet is Tour of Duty or talk to your unit to see if they can look around for you to see if there is anything within your state, otherwise, the Army is going back into "peacetime operations" so deployments and budgets are becoming fewer and further between. Another option, probably honestly the best thing to do is, go to your NCOES schools. If you haven't been to WLC yet......GO, if you have, see if you can get a jump on ALC/SLC, or just look into schools that they can send you to, find out what is needed in your unit/battalion/brigade and see if you can goto school to get qualified for that, for instance Master Fitness Trainer (if your pt is high enough) is something that not very many units have, get your combatitives certifications, instructor course, there's literally hundreds of schools you could go to that's not the "sexy" ranger, SF, pathfinder, chest candy schools, but they'll still give you promotion points and some will be helpful in civilian life. So best advice out of all that, use this time to work on your career and give your career meaning that way.
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SPC Human Resources Specialist
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Thank you Sir. A matter of fact I am going to WLC in April. From there I hope to start a great NCO career. Thanks for the advice again.
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1LT Ryan Millican
1LT Ryan Millican
10 y
That's good, you'll get some good experience there. And trust me, I know the pain of being a "paper pusher" and trying to find a needed opportunity, I was a 27D Paralegal Specialist before I commissioned, only real worth while "extra school" I could goto was Court Reporting, which looking back now I should have done, but check out Cool.army.mil I think that's the site, it'll show some classifications the Army can help you get based on your MOS. And dude, if you're not already, goto college. There are so many college opportunities out there, especially if you are Guard, but plenty of good online schools, just make sure you find one that has a SOCAD agreement with the DOD, I believe these guys are the ones that agree not to charge you over the FTAs per hour tuition cap.
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MSG Intelligence Senior Sergeant/Chief Intelligence Sergeant
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Personnel Force Initiative (PFI) has a website that it advertises positions on as well. I would recommend to go find a local retention NCO, and he should be able to find you a unit. No guarantees that you will deploy, but worth a shot. It took me four years in a row to finally get on AGR. Keep submitting the packet in AKO. Eventually there will be a needd, depending on your MOS. The rank is right.
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SPC Human Resources Specialist
SPC (Join to see)
10 y
Thank you MSG. Regardless, I am still a highly motivated reservist who values his service. No matter what capacity I am in I will still give 100%. I really like my civilian job, but I really want to show something worthwhile in my military career. Something to be proud of.
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CSM Command Sergeant Major
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I am glad to see someone else has heard of PFI. I haven't personally gotten picked up for a tour with it but it is an option. AGR os a royal pain. I have tried for years and years to get in. I had a ton of active duty time, great evaluations etc. etc. but never got picked up. Now at our grade they basically said not to waste my time. My concern is the part of your question that you said not to mention AGR and that there is an issue with prior service in the ARNG. Dependent on exactly what that issue is, it may severely affect your ability to go Active Duty none-the-less remain in service. Or it could literal be some BS that you are over concerned about that had no bearing on your future service. Trust me when I say we have all made mistakes. You need to learn and grow from them. The difference between when I was in your shoes is now a days the Army is down sizing and what used to be an insignificant blemish in ones personnel file can now be a career ender
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MSG Intelligence Senior Sergeant/Chief Intelligence Sergeant
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Wow. I got lucky and assessed as an E-7. Almost unheard of. Just happened to need folks in the MOS.
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CSM Michael Poll
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Another avenue is to look into the AGR program
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SPC Human Resources Specialist
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10 y
Thank you CSM!
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How can I go from the Army Reserve to the Active Duty Army?
SSG Human Resources Specialist
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I would have to agree with a few posts but also disagree.
As a 42A in the AGR program I can tell you that 75% of positions loaded into Tour of Duty already have someone in line for it. Reserve Units now days have to load positions in TOD in order to get ADOS orders for Soldiers. Example: I had a Soldier who used all her AT days for the FY but we wanted to send her to a training for 6 days. We had to load the position in TOD as if it were a vacancy. Once loaded, the Soldier had to go in and "apply" for it. After that we simply closed the position, offered it to her and got her orders. Sounds crazy but it's true. PFI is a good one, i tried it before AGR but got nowhere. It's worth a shot though. As for 42A being over strength in the AGR program, it is however there is always someone getting out, retiring, medical discharge etc. I PCSd to my new duty station in June, saw a SPC 42A with great potential, assisted him in submitting an AGR application on the HRC website and on 8 Jan he PCSd to his first duty station. Looking at the AGRMIS report I can tell you that it's worth a shot. As the MSG said, somethings are career Enders but as long as you have a clearance, never been asked to leave the AGR program and are not flagged you should be good. And if your troubles came from the NG unless it's severe it probably won't follow you on your AGR application. It took me 2 years to get in the AGR program, so don't give up. It was hard for me but I helped two Soldiers get positions 6-9 months after they applied. Just make sure this is what you want to do, being AGR is great but we need great leaders in the program that can help Units and take care of Soldiers.
If you need help feel free to reach out
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MSG Vrs Ncoic
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If you are unable to get a tour and want to go AD you must get a conditional release from your unit to go active.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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I am a National Guardsmen on an ADOS tour currently. I went through Tour of Duty and got picked up on my first try. I would say you have to bring your A-game when you are applying to these jobs. A lot of times there are plenty of applicants. So they can be very choosey. It is hard to get a gig there if you don't have some unique job skill or a lot of experience. Also, being in a field that is unique or requires special skills helps you out. But if you are just a regular joe that is just MOSQed then you aren't going to get much attention there.
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SSG Retail Systems Administrator
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SPC Riello, as a former 42A, I spent almost my entire career as a duel MOS 42A/31B, in the National Guard. I can tell you, as a 42A you are just about in a dead end MOS, it took me almost 18 years to see that, and my BN CSM told me, "taking care of the Soldiers first is a noble gesture, but you have to take care of yourself first." I ended up reclassing from 42A to 31E and got my E6. You as a young 42A, make sure you check the boxes, (WLC, PT, WPN, civilian education) get those points get promoted. Consider a reclass to a critical MOS. Now for the deploying part, check with state G-1. They have a list of critical MOS that need to be filled, because some units may be understrength and need bodies. Now for reserve to active, like others have said in the posts below, talk to a RA Recruiter, to find out if you can be accepted, and if yes get a conditional release signed by the TAG (CG) and again make sure you have all your ducks in a row, (no adverse action).
Hope this helps.
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CSM Michael Poll
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Talk to your recruiter is the first step, request and early release from your unit, this has to go up to BN and BDE for approval. Ensure the AC recruiter has a position for you prior to requesting a release!
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LTC Charles T Dalbec
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Use your chain of command and beyond that contact higher headquarters and speak to mobilization officer/NCO
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LTC Charles T Dalbec
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Go go the recruiting command and work hard and then move on with your career. Talk to your leadership to get promoted to SGT first.
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