How do you transfer to the Army/Air National Guard or Navy Reserve as an E-8 or E-9 with 20+ years of reserve service?

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 19:03:51 -0400

The Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserve limit their enlisted and warrant officer ranks to only serve 30-years. I'd like to know how common it is for a Marine E-8 or E-9 with 20+ years of service to transfer to another reserve component for the benefit of more retirement points and avoiding the astronomical TRICARE Reserve Retiree free that all retired reservists have to pay until age 60.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2018 7:35 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 19:35:38 -0400

I was Marine Corps Reserve for 18 years (SSgt) and purposely switched to the army national guard for that specific reason. I wasn't done serving so switching branches was the only option. I went to OCS and commissioned as an O1E with the availability to serve an additional 20 years to my retirement age. I know this doesn't specifically address your question. However, serving past 30 will only be possible in the army/air guard.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2018 9:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 21:35:26 -0400

What you have to ask yourself is: is it worth forfeiting full reiurement for a 4-day check/month? The math tells me it wouldn't be.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Nov 1 at 2018 11:58 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 23:58:17 -0400

It's not quite that simple. In the ANG, there is a selective retention board for everyone that reaches 20 years of military service, so an E-8 or E-9 can only stay as long as the board allows him to do so. Since staying ties up an E-8 or E-9 slot, the board tends to move them out to make room for promotion of other airmen, with the exception of technicians and AGR personnel.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2018 7:28 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 07:28:27 -0400

Well I seen it done. I was just active with a SFC (E7) who was in the corps as a GySgt with over 15 years in the corps. He switched over a few years back to the Army reserves, he just got sanctioned at the end of last year because he ended up having over 18 years total of Active duty time so they forced him to stay another 2 years to retire on Active Duty. I would say give a shout out to a Retention NCO in the Army Reserves and he would be able to help you out with everything.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2018 9:25 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 09:25:10 -0400

I work at the state level of the army national guard full time. Do air guard for sure. Better pay, better treatment.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Nov 2 at 2018 10:13 AM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 10:13:10 -0400

Well, first and foremost, you have to find a unit willing to take you in that grade. Normally, guard units like to “grow” their own in those pay grades. You would probably have to take an administrative reduction to a lower pay grade.

Response by MSgt Michael Bischoff made Nov 2 at 2018 4:39 PM

MSgt Michael Bischoff — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 16:39:54 -0400

Good luck finding that E-8 or 9 slot. They are like gold and people wait for current memebers wait for others to die or retire from those slots for their own progression.

Response by PO2 Penelope Peterson made Dec 3 at 2018 10:26 AM

PO2 Penelope Peterson — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 10:26:26 -0500

I might suggest contacting your local recruiters for those branches as well as the local Manpower/Retention folks for the appropriate Reserve components. Check out your options. There may be Officer conversion programs available to you or other such things if you are willing and otherwise eligible. Can't hurt to shop around. Of course, remember to get it all in writing! Good Luck!