How do you transition to the Army National Guard or Army Reserve as an Officer from Active Duty? Are there limitations for doing so?

2020-06-29T17:36:40-04:00

I am currently in the Army’s Green to Gold Program and will be an Officer in Active Duty in May 2021. Does anyone have any experience transitioning to the National Guard or Army Reserve as an Officer? Does your Guard/Reserve Unit need to have a specific job for you? I am interested specifically in the northern Idaho area if possible.

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Jun 29 at 2020 8:59 PM

2020-06-29T20:59:03-04:00

I was Guard my whole career and didn’t have to do it but we had many officers that started on Active Duty and they said it’s relatively painless. Contact the Nation Guard in the state you plan on living in and they can walk you through the process. You may have to do a branch transfer if you end up in a unit that is different than what your branch is. But Idaho is the home of the 116 Cav Bde and has one Armored Bn and one FA Bn in the state that I know of they also have an Engineer company (that’s where I started when I was in the Idaho Guard while in college). I’m not sure what other units they have but if you are in FA ARMOR or Engineers there will be slots available for you

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2020 10:26 PM

2020-06-29T22:26:47-04:00

You will owe 3-4 years active duty, based on scholarship, then you are eligible for Guard/Reserve or IRR for the remainder of the 8 year total service obligation.
There must be a valid officer vacancy to assess you, it will be possible to assess you into a position other than your basic branch, and you will need CCC for that new branch.
ID ARNG is pretty small, about 3,000, and the Army Reserve in Idaho is probably smaller than that, you will need to be flexible on branch for a position.