How does my husband go about going Active Duty Infantry from the Reserves?

2021-09-06T11:45:34-04:00

He was in the Marines for 6 years. He is a SGT in the Army Reserves currently as a Fueler. He wants nothing more than to go back to the Infantry world Active Duty. Some people tells him he can’t some people say he can.

Someone PLEASE HELP ME LOL

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2021 12:03 PM

2021-09-06T12:03:26-04:00

Simple answer is have him talk to a career counselor

Response by SGT Scott Adie made Sep 6 at 2021 12:04 PM

2021-09-06T12:04:14-04:00

I sure wish I knew the process so that I might be able to help you and your noble husband. I have a former Air Force Reservist friend whom I shall inquire with. Perhaps he can help. He's not on RP but I will share his response if he has any pertinent ideas or information.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2021 12:21 PM

2021-09-06T12:21:53-04:00

Simple as talk to a recruiter. See his options available and what paperwork they may need for him. Now I will say if all his time is spent in the reserves. He possibly might have to take a reduction in rank to PFC or SPC depending on what the recruiter says. That’s definitely something to think about but he should be fine working his way back up being he already has the PME. The next step is they more thank likely will send him to a basic training class that’s reached their AIT phase for 11B……or he can speak with his readiness NCO go through the reserves version of infantry reclassification course which is a few weeks long and then transition to active duty smoother already having obtained MOSQ

Response by LTC Daren Walker made Sep 6 at 2021 12:55 PM

2021-09-06T12:55:16-04:00

Step 1. Review the prior service accession business rules to determine if there are vacancies for his grade and MOS at https://m.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/continue-serving/return-to-active-duty/prior-service-business-rules.m.html.
11B for E-5 is currently available for Soldiers already MOSQ and as a reclass option.

Step 2. See Regular Army recruiter to request a DA Form 368, Conditional Release, signed by that recruiter, requesting release from your Reserve service obligation contingent on your acceptance to active-duty. This may be a challenge, or maybe even non-starter for your Commander considering they've just paid for your reclass training. The conditional release approval authority is first General Officer in your chain of command.

Step 3. If the 368 gets approved by your chain of command, return it to your recruiter and wait for orders.

Prior Service Business Rules

The Prior Service Business Rules acts as a guide for Soldiers who are interested in reenlisting in the regular Army.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2021 12:57 PM

2021-09-06T12:57:10-04:00

I had a loosely similar experience. I was reserve for 8 years then separated and came back active duty in 2020. With him being “prior service” he’ll be stuck to the prior service business rules which have very limited openings for lower enlisted and even less for NCO’s. The one thing hat if say is a positive is that my recruiters and MEPS say that there’s always 11B/C slots on that list so if that’s what he’s looking to do he might not struggle there and may not have to take a reduction since he’s already done BLC and is currently slotted. That being said I do agree with all the comments of him talking to his career counselor. They’re the ones not ones that can start to help with a transition. If they can’t then maybe a local Regulr Army recuruiter.

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made Sep 6 at 2021 4:08 PM

2021-09-06T16:08:46-04:00

I am sure he should take his DD214 and go see a recruiter

Response by LTC Richard Wasserman made Sep 6 at 2021 9:23 PM

2021-09-06T21:23:45-04:00

Talk to a Recruiter and hope for the best.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2021 4:35 AM

2021-09-07T04:35:46-04:00

Best way would probably be to get out and come back in

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2021 5:33 AM

2021-09-07T05:33:48-04:00

Your husband will have to have his conditional release approved. If he is in the USAR there is a very straightforward packet to submit.

Be aware, about a year ago the USAR put out a policy that they will only approve conditional releases when the Soldier can show they are in some type of hardship, such as they can't find a job and need the money of going active.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2021 12:16 PM

2021-09-07T12:16:55-04:00

If you look to your left and look to your right and ask those people who have nothing to do with career counseling, you'll get the answers you received.

Your best option is to talk your/his career counselor/retention 1SG, SGM/CSM, even possibly a recruiter at your local recruiting station.

MAJ Daren Walker showed to have provided some good information.

Hope you find the right info for your husband. Hooah!

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 7 at 2021 1:47 PM

2021-09-07T13:47:18-04:00

Talk to a recruiter, he may have to give up some rank. Have ask other recruiters as well, as I have seen them do funny things when numbers are down.

Response by SPC John Donovan made Sep 7 at 2021 3:30 PM

2021-09-07T15:30:02-04:00

Why would they tell him he can't? Does it matter to him if he is Infantry Marine or Infantry Army? He isn't over the age (I believe there is an age limit)?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2021 8:12 PM

2021-09-07T20:12:25-04:00

I was active duty 11B that got out and went reserves and then back active. As prior service I had 2 options, choose MOS or Duty Station. I chose the duty station option. All he should need is to find a motivated recruiter and talk with his reserve unit about getting a 368. I had to redo the entire MEPS process

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2021 9:52 PM

2021-09-07T21:52:31-04:00

It’s too bad he didn’t join the National Guard, he could still be an infantryman right now and the transition to active duty would be much easier.

The simplest, most correct answer is this, go speak to a recruiter, specifically an active duty army recruiter and as ask for a DD 368. Then your husband will submit it through his command and hope for the best.

Response by 2LT Earl Dean made Sep 17 at 2021 5:26 PM

2021-09-17T17:26:18-04:00

How old is he! go with him to the recruiters office and talk to them! They should have the answer for that one. But then there is always the guard!

Response by SGT Fred Flick made Sep 19 at 2021 9:42 AM

2021-09-19T09:42:00-04:00

Would talk to company commander