Posted on Mar 20, 2020
How likely is it that I will be able to switch from ARNG to Active duty Army?
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I’m in the ARNG going on a deployment to the HOA soon and I want to make the switch over to active duty once we return. By then I’ll have just over 3 years of service in the guard and I want to know the likelihood of being able to make the switch and if it is worth going for it or just waiting until my guard contract is up to re-enlist active. I’ll have just under 3 years left on my guard contract by the time I begin the process.
Posted in these groups: 
11B: Infantryman
Recruiting
11B: Infantryman Recruiting
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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I commend your motivation and willingness to serve. Plenty of Guardsmen and Reservists make the same choice. Getting the Conditional Release can sometimes be frustrating and seem to take forever but how long it takes usually depends on if your state is willing to let you go. I believe its worth it. Good luck with your deployment.
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Start the conditional release process 3-6 months before you return so you can have it in hand when you get back.
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See an AD recruiter and work on your conditional release. The first GO in your chain has to sign the DD368 Conditional Release, you prepare this with your Recruiter's Assistance. People report delays in this process with some states in some cases denying the release. Worst case, you'd have to wait until your contract is up. Go see an AD recruiter. From another post on RP, they are really working to get Infantrymen through this program.
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Bring this up through your NCO support as well as S-1. I know the Army Reserves has a program where mobilized soldiers can easily be rolled up into the regular Army without a break in service. The guard may have one as well.
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I agree with everything everyone has said. It is sometimes very difficult to get released because the Guard is funded by the state, not the federal government and the state wants to get their moneys worth for basic training, AIT, any and all training you have received.
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LTC Jason Mackay
If RP posts are to be believed, most of the hold up is their conditional release getting hung up at the GO level for months. I have advocated that the soldiers wanting to go AD need to work their chain of command and then schedule office calls to walk their packet point to point, although the form is electronic now, they can go meet the decision authority, say their piece and hopefully leave with a favorable endorsement. I am sure a lot of this is MOSQ strength management. I'm sure there is not even a thank you back to the RC on conditional releases.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
LTC Jason Mackay - I think a lot of the hold up in the Guard is that it goes through a chain that is largely part time, so it hits each level in a different drill period. May not be as much of an issue today with all of the electronic generated orders, but when I was still around 4 months up and back would have been considered good time. The states I served were also pretty hardcore about not releasing soldiers that hadn't done at least half their enlistment, which gets into the funding thing the 1st. Sgt. alluded. And I agree that getting permission to walk that packet through saves a lot of time if your command cooperates.
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LTC Jason Mackay
CPT Lawrence Cable - the ones I see on RP, 4 months would be moving with a bullet. Folks are having to ping the system after 6-9 months. Many seem to leave it to the UA to shepherd through the wickets assuming it will all go to plan. UAs have nothing happening, right? No one cares as much about your career than you, so my advice is don't leave it in the hands of others. Sometimes after 6-9 months, they simply get a note back to volunteer for MOBCOP and their request is denied. Sometimes it's a matter of getting through the gate keepers and whoosh! Approved. It really varies State To state and how bad of a tongue lashing they took over aggregate and MOSQ numbers last.
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Did you take a bonus? Are you going to be receiving any more bonus payments before you switch? Did you use any educational benefits? These are all questions they will be asking when deciding if they will release you. If you havent used much state money, you'll have better chances at getting the conditional release approved.
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Definitely recommend continuing your motivation and drive to want to go active. Get in there and stay in there until you retire. I would constantly push this threw your chain of command and get that release approved just make sure you do it maturely and respectfully which will help you accomplish a smooth transaction. Keep up the good work I’m sure you’ll get to where you want to be if you maintain the same mindset. Good luck.
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I recently completed this process of switching from the Guard to Active Duty. It took me about 7 months. If you truly want to go Active Duty, put in your Conditional Release. High chances they won't pay much attention to it. The only way I got it signed was by going to the Inspector General (IG), if that doesn't work, go to a Congressional Inquiry. Those 2 options will get your paperwork signed. Other ways of going Active Duty is if you do ROTC and commission into the Regular Army. Worst case scenario, wait until you ETS and then wait for required NGB discharged paperwork and enlist. Your last option to have a military career would be AGR. Goodluck.
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