How does a National Guard Soldier join the Reserves?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 20:07:11 -0500

I am a SP Medical Officer (PA) in the National Guard and would like to join the Reserves. How is this done? Who can I speak to about opportunities and pros and cons?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2019 8:36 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 20:36:54 -0500

Sir, you have to get released from your current command then a recruiter can help you find a unit. It can be a 1-3 month process depending on how long it takes your state to release you.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2019 9:06 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 21:06:12 -0500

You need a signed DD 368. Most likely from your TAG. This is a long and painful process. There really isn't much difference between components in my opinion. I went active and never regretted it. Good luck!

Response by SSG Robert Cole made Dec 30 at 2019 9:47 PM

SSG Robert Cole — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 21:47:16 -0500

Fill out a simple 'Request for Personnel Action' and have the Commander approve it.. Or do your time and reenlist for it when you window comes open. Ask your PAC cleric. Should be a DA form 4187. Unless that too has changed. But rules for officers are different than those for Enlisted.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 30 at 2019 11:07 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 23:07:14 -0500

@MAJ Paul R LTC Private RallyPoint Member The value of a PA to the military is so great that you should have no problems!

During a visit to the ‘old battalion’, Chief Medic SFC Paul Carlson was excited to introduce me to “their” PA. What a huge asset, SFC Carlson would now have an accomplice to approve of his medical ministrations!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 1:39 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 01:39:19 -0500

I actually made this happen in less than a month last year. Contact Officer Branch for your state and find out exactly what they need from you, put the packet together and walk it through yourself (I walked mine through over the phone). The hardest part was finding a recruiter to sign the form.

Let me know if you have any questions. I was at the JFHQ so that cut out a lot of the staffing for mine so yours may take a little longer.

Response by SSgt Edmond Gaudelli made Dec 31 at 2019 6:21 PM

SSgt Edmond Gaudelli — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 18:21:48 -0500

See a Reserve recruiter would be my guess.

Response by MSgt James Littlejohn made Dec 31 at 2019 11:08 PM

MSgt James Littlejohn — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 23:08:21 -0500

AF recruiter

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jan 1 at 2020 11:45 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 23:45:09 -0500

Years ago, my friend and I got off of active duty and ended up in the National Guard. There was a lot of obvious favoritism in the unit. Guys who had been in the unit their whole career were favored over those of us who came off of active duty. I didn't mind so much because I figured I was going nowhere anyway. My friend got tired of the "fraternity" and drove over to the reserve HQ. He was out of the Guard and in the Reserves in a couple of months. He got an AGR position (full time) and retired as a Colonel. I did not.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2020 4:15 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 16:15:45 -0500

Find a reserve unit and get a para/lin and acceptance MFR before you start the TAG waiver process. Then hand walk it through the levels of CMD for endorsement. Unless your State is flush with 65Ds, anticipate a "retention interview" at every level. We've had guys flip to the AR in hopes of better promotion potential and decreased OPTEMPO, only to realize the grass isn't necessarily greener and come back.