How far out from ETS should I talk to a National Guard recruiter?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 23:56:23 -0500

I started my career in the National Guard. I made the transition to active a few years ago, and will ETS from the RA December 2019. I plan to transition back to the national guard. I have a few questions I was hoping could be answered.

1. How far out from ETS should I talk to a Guard Recruiter? I plan on reclassing (I tried when I went active but was shot down) so I want time to work the hiccups out of the contract.

2. For prior service going into the guard, Texas to be specific, how likely am I to get a school worked into the contract? I would like to serve in the 143rd as I'm sure every other person in Texas does. This would require me to be Airborne.

3. As far as retirement is concerned, I can't find any information. I lost a few years when I transitioned to active duty, only deployment/AIT was counted towards my retirement. Will my time in the National Guard be recalculated into my retirement?

Thank you for any answers I can get. I haven't been able to find too much information online for these questions.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2018 1:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 01:18:58 -0500

1. 6 months out from ETS you can work with a reserve component career counselor. Not sure what you plan on doing for Reclass, but being prior NG you should understand what a red herring that can be.
2. Good luck. Just like every person in the WA NG wants to 19th group support, if you aren't qualified, you don't bring much to the table.
3. You didn't lose anything going active duty, except maybe your documentation. If you're active, you get an active retirement. If you're reserve you get the Reserve retirement. Every year in the AD maxes you for retirement points in your reserve retirement. Your RC time doesn't count toward your AD retirement unless it was time spent on ADO.

You can reference what time counts by looking at the USC. Google USC creditable service.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2018 8:36 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 08:36:14 -0500

I worked in an In Service Recruiting office for 3 years and never had a contract guaranteeing reclassification. We did transfer Soldiers to positions outside of their MOS, which, by default, would require it. The end result if the same. SFC Private RallyPoint Member recommendation of 6 months would provide you ample time. They should be a required stop when you're clearing.

Response by SGT Fredrick Ramm made Nov 5 at 2018 9:50 AM

SGT Fredrick Ramm — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 09:50:22 -0500

Look out, it's a different world. When I joined, 9 years later, and there was some of the draft dodgers club, still hanging around...they couldn't believe, I was a (Vietnam Era) Veteran and an E-5 at 20 years old. I used to tell, one clown (that was 10 years younger, than yours truly), who thought he was a brave man: "where were heroes like you back in 1969? you are a real inspiration!"

Response by CW2 Michael Bodnar made Nov 5 at 2018 1:05 PM

CW2 Michael Bodnar — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 13:05:01 -0500

Hardcharger....it's great you're thinking about transitioning to the Guard. Lots of things to consider when trying to get into the Guard. First of all, you need to ensure the state or the unit you're wanting to go to has an open slot for your rank in the MOS you want. Second, if you're looking to reclass (whatever the MOS is), make sure you're fully qualified to make the move into that MOS. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen Soldiers not get the slot they want because their ASVAB score was too low. So, here's some helpful tips and answers to your questions.

1. You should be looking 6-9 months out from your ETS. Reach out to Guard recruiters around this time and it will definitely be a check box one your clearing paperwork. Make sure all of your information is in IPERMS and your ERB is good. Keep copies of everything and make yourself an I love me book - it will help. When you make the transition, you'll likely loose a majority of your information because the systems do not talk that well with each other.

2. You can work it into the contract provided there's a slot for you to go into. If you're reclassing, you'll get the school seat anyway but you may have to wait for a bit because the Guard only gets so many slots for the FY in various schools. Be patient.

3. Guard and Reserve retirement are based on points. For it to all be correct, you'll need every DD-214 you've ever gotten when you check into your first Guard unit. I'll go back to question one....keep copies of everything. Your DD-214's should be in IPERMS but things do get lost as we all know. When you say you lost a few years, what exactly do you mean?

Hope that helps you out.....I wish you the best of luck!

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Nov 5 at 2018 1:10 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 13:10:13 -0500

Retirement points from acrue from NG drill attendance and one point for each day of Active Duty.

Start working with a Transition NCO as soon as you can. It would be great Rest while you are in ‘shape’ To secure training to become a DMOSQ asset prior to NG assignment. Or you are not helping the NG by not bring MOS and grade qualified.

OK now you know but I would recommend going to the Army Reserve rather than the NG if you want to make rank.

Hooah??

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2019 8:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 08:45:17 -0500

I’m a TXARNG recruiter if your questions haven’t been answered I’ll be happy to answer any additional questions you have. And 143rd has slots right now

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2019 3:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 15:28:16 -0500

I’m a TXARNG recruiter. You can start talking to us six months out and we can ensure you have a healthy exit so that we can pull you over to TXARNG as soon as you ETS. We currently have open positions in 143rd normally I recommend that prior service interview with the unit in order to get the LOA (letter of acceptance) that way both parties know exactly what they’re getting into and if you’re the best for for the position. Plus the unit will be excited to have you rather than just having someone placed on their books. The unit does have a high OPTEMPO which means more MUTA 6 and MUTA 8 on the schedule. Something to think about when choosing this unit. HMU when you’re six months out and I’ll be happy to put you in touch with the unit and get you started on the next chapter of your career.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2019 11:18 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 11:18:35 -0400

You should not have lost any time at all when you went active duty. Your contract and orders are supporting documents to update your retirement points. And I'd talk to a reserve recruiter... just saying