How do you transfer from the reserves to active duty as an officer?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:01:45 -0400

I am trying to find out, is there a way to transfer from the reserves to active duty? I have ben told a few different things like it is possible but you have to be MOSQ for 2 years. I have been also told its a flat out no. So I'm hoping for some clear cut answers. Also would it help or not that my current reserve unit is being shut down so I have to find a new unit no matter what.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 6:06 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:06:52 -0400

Sir, I'm kind of going through the same process right now and for me its a conditional release (form 368) and a DA form 4187. Not quite sure how it works as an officer but you should talk to a recruiter and your commander, sir.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made May 20 at 2015 6:11 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:11:15 -0400

It depends on your Branch, because you can check for positions based on rank and branch, there are always exceptions to rules specially when you are filling a need. Check with your Branch.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 10:40 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 22:40:16 -0400

It's almost impossible especially now with the reduction in force there is one program "call to active duty" Google it. But they haven't been taking anyone with less that four years commissioned active duty service for years.

Response by SGT Kevin Brown made May 21 at 2015 12:00 AM

SGT Kevin Brown — Thu, 21 May 2015 00:00:27 -0400

You can, but you must obtain authorization to be released from duty to do so. I tried for over a year before I gave up. If you have connections that helps and if your in an MOS that is needed, that does too. Your best bet is to speak to retention and if they give you the run around, then talk with an AD recruiter.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 12:57 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 00:57:13 -0400

Depends on your qualifications

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 12:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 00:58:46 -0400

I've seen several MILPER messages about this in the last few years. Check those out at HRC self service portal. It's called something like, Call to Active Duty, then it will say who is eligible. Good luck.

Response by COL Roxanne Arndt made May 21 at 2015 11:14 AM

COL Roxanne Arndt — Thu, 21 May 2015 11:14:05 -0400

LT...you may want to look into the AGR program, as a signal office there may be a spot. Go to the HRC website and fill out an AGR packet. It stands for Active Guard Reserve if you are not familiar with that acronym. Have you talked with active duty recruiter?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 12:33 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 12:33:59 -0400

Every year a CAD (Call to Active Duty) MILPER (ALARACT?) is released. It has the requirements that the RA is looking for with the steps to being let go of your USAR commitment. It's difficult in the best of circumstances, and these aren't the best of circumstances.

Look for that. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. Good luck!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:48 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:48:27 -0400

I wanted to do this exact thing a few years ago. I looked into this as a CPT. It was actually easier then. The process is lengthy and the bottom line, like many here have said, is next to impossible in the current fiscally constrained force. Enlisted can get a release and if they can find a position they have a chance. For officers the transition is almost impossible. Your Best bet is either: Put in an AGR packet through the HRC website. AND/OR go on TOD (Tour of Duty) and search for mobilized positions you may be able to take. There are tours on there for a year at a time and you care do 3 years worth of tours before you hit the cap. I have seen several officers take this route and then get picked up for AGR (which is an active duty assignment) during their tours. They have tours listed all over the US as well as all over the world. But there are many tours available here in the states. My advice: Put your AGR packet together and put in for as many tours as you can and hope you get one. Bottom line is that as a 2LT your chances aren't great. Hedge your bets with as many positions you can apply for and see if you can get one while you wait for the AGR accessions board. Good luck.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 8:43 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 20:43:41 -0400

Fill out an AGR application and read the requirements on the HRC site. For AC, that is governed by the CAD MILPER (also on the HRC site). It is highly likely that LTs are currently not being considered. Look up tours through ToD for both 01A and Basic Branch. Hopefully you're able to get selected for AGR after not too many applications. Best of luck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 8:57 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 08:57:58 -0400

I am going to echo two points everyone has made:

-First....look at AGR. It is seriously the best "secret" in the Army. I find that I am getting more experience and development than my Active Duty peers and we seem to have a bit of a more sure-footed career path in some aspects.

-Second....review Call to Active Duty. Typically you have to be a CPT with CCC Complete in certain fields to qualify (FA53 and FA24 have been pretty steadily on the list)....but the last one started taking certain YG 1LTs for Civil Affairs. Keep an eye on the MILPERS and you might find your path there.

One more think I would add: keep an eye on Tour of Duty and keep in touch with your Career Manager...there may be taskers out there that can deploy you or put you on orders for extended periods of time.

I hope that helps. Definitely drop your packet for AGR (get a DA Photo...it matters). I would not go AD if you begged me right now, provided I can stay AGR. I love being AGR.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 1:46 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 13:46:23 -0400

Off topic but I just realized know the CPT in the middle. Used to be my old S6 OIC when I first came in the Army.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 8:35 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 08:35:53 -0400

The problem that I am encountering is the available slots AD side versus my current position. I have a buddy who is a recruiter and he told me that there are 25L20 slots open, but they are Airborne slots! As a member of the Training world, there is no need for Airborne. AGR or MilTech is my best bet right now unless I transfer to another unit.

Be sure to check out EVERYTHING before making any decisions, sir. Also, do not allow anyone to feed you lies. Recruiters will lie to get you to do what they want you to do, and so will Retention.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 2:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2015 14:03:42 -0400

I would assume that it would be a conditional release as well. Talk to the local recruiters and if it's a conditional release, then they do a 368 for you. You bring that to your UA (S1 that would do your transfer paperwork). They start the process. You would need a 4856 from the Commander, 4856 from Retention, sexual assault memo (goes with every packet), and you type a letter stating why you want to go active. I believe that is it. It get submitted through HRPAS. Once it is approved, you take the 368 back to the recruiter and sign your new contract. A copy of the contract goes to the person that did your packet (UA or S1) so they can upload it into HRPAS. Then you wait in orders to be released from the unit.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 3:00 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 15:00:14 -0400

I asked this same question when I was down at Ft. Benning last year after graduating from Basic (Early March) & sat at OCS 311th HHC for nearly 8 months before classing up.

This is all great advice you've received but one thing that many people have not touched upon is this: Your unit / and or state has spent a lot of $$$ to send you to OCS + BOLC + leadership schools ect & therefore you will need to build a very convincing case for why you are requesting a "Conditional Release" from the reserve component.
**I realize that this doesn't apply to you but otherwise who are looking at this should know (that's for either enlisted or Officer)

As it has been said before...look at AGR! If I could do anything it would be AGR, you've got all the benefits of AD but your essentially at home. In my state (NH) AGR slots for LT's (O1 or O2) are hard to come by but they aren't impossible to get.

Otherwise you can talk to the AD recruiter & ask about the "business rules" for going AD & if there is any need in the AD component for you to fit in. Just keep in mind that you will need to be highly motivated to go AD through a recruiter as they will not receive any credit towards bonuses or points for getting you through....at least that is what I've always been told.

In my personal experience with the Army; if you want something bad enough & show the right person your mettle then you'll get it.

"Right place, right time, right attitude"

Good luck!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 3:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 15:33:45 -0400

I have thought about this myself, personally I have resigned to just find a job within the government sector and continue my reserve service, at least that way I get two retirements. I would look into AGR though, as many have already stated.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 4:45 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 16:45:04 -0400

Some caveats:
- AGR doesn't always keep you home. If you're in the NG, more likely, but USAR AGR officers move typically every 2-3 years due to limited opportunities at each location. This is very different from AC officers, who can have multiple, career-appropriate jobs by rotating through the same large base (Bragg, Bliss, Hood, Carson, etc.). While NG keeps you in one spot, the promotion opportunities become very limited because people don't rotate.

- Tour of Duty ... excellent. More excellent if you have reason to be in a job that requires you to have a TS clearance (which you typically have to have before applying for a TOD job that requires one) .... so

- Finding a new unit. Hit up DA Pam 600-3. Find your career field, and even though it may say Active Duty all over it ... follow that career field. Do the jobs that your AC peers are doing. It provides proper career development & broadening opportunities -- and when I'm looking at people who've applied for TOD positions, I care. If you're a one-hit wonder who has only done the same thing or been in the same kinds of units, I'm going to move to the next person. When you get to the point where you're only really an S6 -- branch out into different units. Have you been in a log unit? an MI unit (where you're likely to need a TS)? a training unit?

Food for thought.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 5:02 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:02:38 -0400

This may not be what you want to hear but the Navy is taking branch transfers as long as you have a transferable MOS. The process would be to get get released from the Reserves, go into the Navy Reserve and complete the call to Active Duty application. I know this because I sometimes feel I'm a better active officer than a Guard one so I have kicked the idea around several times and have even spoken to a recruiter. It's sad but the Army doesn't seem to be taking many folks unless you're in a field like Cyber Security. If a branch transfer is not what you want I have a feeling the OPS tempo is going to pick back up soon if ISIS keeps acting up. The Army may find itself needing people for the Active force.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 5:34 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:34:21 -0400

So I have been doing some research and talking to people. In my case getting the DA-368 is easy because my unit is changing their manning requirements so my commander is open to letting people find new homes. I have also been kind of getting the run around here in the fact that I have talked to both the career councilors who tell me I have to complete this task with the normal AD recruiters but when I talk to them so far none of the ones I have talked to have heard of doing this so they are clueless. But I am still trying

As for the AGR I am familiar with the program and have been looking into it but I am more keen on going AD in my mind there are more benefits to AD, and in that I am referring the travel and working with other people and units.

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 9:15 AM

BG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 09:15:42 -0400

Chris, my advice is going to differ somewhat from the others comments based upon what I see in my lofty position. First of all, good for you on your decision to go AC. I always encourage officers to do this even at the expense of losing a valuable asset because the experience you will receive will be much greater than a Reserve Officer can normally receive.
1. First of all, yes there is sequestration, but I sign release forms every month for young officers who want to go AC. This is due tot he fact that each branch still needs to maintain a certain amount in each year group to keep the pipeline balanced. Unlike a civilian job that institutes a hiring freeze, the military can't do that. We are not going to tell the schoolhouse to shutdown for a year or two. So they will be giving pink slips to Captains at the same time they are commissioning new Lieutenants.
2. The AGR program is an option, but they are really looking for CPT-MAJ. This will be a very different career than AC. You will spend the vast majority of your career in a support role, not command. I do not know of any 2LTs accessed into this program.
3. Your branch matters. I just signed a release last week for a Battalion Chaplain for example. Talk to your PMO. Another option is to go into a Non-Accession Branch such as CA, PYSOP (MISO), or SF. They are generally looking for a senior 1LT.
4. If you have not done BOLC, you will need that before someone will seriously consider you. As his dying act, beg your PMO to get you to school ASAP.
Feel free to contact me on EE mail for further guidance. GO's love to help!

Response by SSG Toryn Green made May 29 at 2015 11:54 AM

SSG Toryn Green — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:54:13 -0400

I discussed this with a recruiter just the other day as I'm in the process of commissioning via direct commission and looking to go active duty. I was flat out told that it's better to go through the active OCS than commission in the reserves and cross over. I was told by the recruiter that active duty doesn't consider a reserve commission to be the same standard as an active duty one. Nevertheless, I was told that crossing over to active duty one commissioned is extremely difficult right now. I honestly don't buy that for a second, but that's what I was told.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 31 at 2015 9:35 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 31 May 2015 21:35:50 -0400

Yes there is a way. Call to Active Duty Program. https://www.hrc.army.mil/Officer/ORD%20Accessions%20Branch

Response by MSG Michael Murphy made Oct 10 at 2015 8:51 PM

MSG Michael Murphy — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 20:51:02 -0400

DD368 release from your Reserve unit, then see an active duty Recruiter, process at MEPS and Your on your way Ret. MSG Murphy