How do I get back into a Guard unit and then on active duty?

2018-04-30T17:20:19-04:00

I am a 2LT commissioned in January 2011. I was assigned to an engineer unit in the FL ARNG. I graduated EBOLC in June 2012. Once I returned from BOLC my PL slot had been given to a new 2LT but I was never assigned a new unit. They (FL ARNG) were going to contact me with a new unit once one became available. For a year I bugged them almost every week day with no result. I then moved to IL for 2 years for my civilian job and started hammering contacts in the IL guard to no avail. I now just moved to CO and submitted an IST request, as well as many emails and calls (all unreturned). I finally have gotten in touch with some CO ARNG staff that can help get me assigned to a new unit. Has anyone heard of something like this before? I know of one (also a 2LT) who just waited until his “time” commitment was up and resigned commission. I have no interest in doing that as I joined to serve and want to stay in. I am actually planning to submit a packet for the call to duty program once I am back in a unit.

For some relevant background, I was an SMP cadet so I drilled as a regular NG member during college (as an MP) then later commissioned as an engineer. I have a very successful civilian career doing (mostly VA) mortgage loans. In college I wanted to be a big finance hotshot so I never wanted to be active unless deployed. Tp this day my proudest accomplishment in life is still commissioning as an Army officer. I was not mature enough at 22 to be a proper leader in the worlds greatest fighting force but I am a very different man at 29 and have decided I am going to be an active duty officer regardless of what hurdles stand in the way.

Any advice, feedback, or negative comments are welcome.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 7:07 PM

2018-04-30T19:07:35-04:00

Why don’t you join the Reserves and then apply for Call to Active Duty? Seems like the Guard is a waste of time for you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 7:14 PM

2018-04-30T19:14:57-04:00

Or apply to AGR once you get into a Reserve unit. Call recruiters and/or get numbers for the unit administrators of all the Reserve units in your area. Once you get into a unit, go to the HRC site and apply for AGR. If you try hard enough someone will answer your call.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2018 7:32 AM

2018-05-01T07:32:43-04:00

Also call your Branch Manager to make sure you can get back on track to check all boxes for advancement.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 1 at 2018 7:45 AM

2018-05-01T07:45:46-04:00

Just a quick look and I only see one Engineer Company in the Colorado Army National Guard, which doesn't leave a lot of Platoon Leader slots. I branch transferred to the Engineers when I moved to Kentucky because they had two full Battalions of Engineers at the time and only part of a Battalion of Infantry. I have to agree with Maj. Watson in your case, I would contact the Army Reserve and see what they have available. Since you are already in the Guard, you might want to contact the National Guard Bureau and see if they offer any help.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2018 9:31 AM

2018-05-01T09:31:29-04:00

I won't state which is better - Guard or Reserve - in my opinion it's all about each unit's environment/atmosphere and how they operate. If your focus is to eventually become an active duty officer, you should probably ask yourself, what will get me to my goal? Guard or Reserve? For me personally, location mattered a great deal. I was able to get in touch with a Reserve Career Counselor and began the process to search for a home unit near my residence and civilian job. With a career counselor, you should be able to discuss your Army career goals and the counselor can lead you in the right direction. One recommendation I would give before meeting with a career counselor is to prepare a plan. What is it exactly that you want to do on the active side? How would you like to get there? The counselor can help fill in the gaps as they have experience and witnessed these career challenges. They can also provide you with unit information and slot availability. Rally Point has been thus far very helpful for me and can definitely be of help to you. From what I see, you can seek out a career counselor in the RP midst. Good luck to you in your career Michael.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 2 at 2018 11:53 AM

2018-05-02T11:53:48-04:00

In the National Guard, the State has to have a slot to assign you in your Branch and that depends on how big your branch is in the State where the Reserves would just try to find the nearest one with an open slot regardless of the state. Even though 74 percent of the Engineering units in the Army are Reserve and National Guard, they aren't evenly spread between states and the states are very competitive about keeping them. Where I live is still very Engineer heavy, although they lost a Battalion Command and a couple of Companies since I was active, so there were generally slots available to any qualified individual through all the Captain careers. I promoted to Company Commander while still a 1LT. That isn't true in a lot of States. If the State NG Bureau can't help you find a home, I would look at the Army Reserve since they aren't as restricted.
I think if you will look, Call To Active Duty is looking for Captains and above right now, but that changes quickly.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 7:09 PM

2018-05-03T19:09:35-04:00

I’d get ahold of a State OSM and ask them to find you a slot. I find it very strange that if you’re in fact still in that you’re not on a NOVAL list after 6 years. Someone seriously dropped the ball. Commissioning 7 years ago and not doing anything meanwhile is going to be a large hurdle to overcome. Best bet is to talk to a recruiter likely and then have them put you in touch with an Officer Strength Manager (NG) or look at the Reserves.

Response by 2LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2018 5:29 PM

2018-05-18T17:29:44-04:00

Thanks for all the help and advice. I’m working on getting back into a Guard (or reserve if that falls through) unit, then I’ll update my PT test and submit a packet for active.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2018 9:19 PM

2018-05-22T21:19:37-04:00

I'm currently on recruiting; you need to go see your local active duty recruiting center. From my experience over the last 3 years, you will have a very slim chance of being allowed to switch from ANG to anything else. So go talk with them at the recruiting center and ask which (AR or ANG) will be easier to 368 out of for AD. Good luck.