Posted on Jan 12, 2016
How long does it take to switch from the Guard to Active Duty? (New enlistee)
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I am a split option and so I went to basic the previous summer and once I graduate high school I will go to AIT. I'll get back in September from AIT and I will got to my unit in November. I realized that the National Guard isn't for me and so I want to go Active Duty. How long to I have to wait to go Active? What do I have to do to go Active? I keep getting told different things and so now I am even more confused more than ever.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 32
SSG Slover's answer is pretty spot on. See an Active Duty recruiter to find out your options first, then begin the transfer request process with the full time staff of the unit you enlisted with. Your state's TAG is not obligated to release you to the Active Army. It is possible, but usually takes a few months.
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I went to BCT in 2012 and had the same realization. It is now 2015 and 3 conditional releases later, I have yet to be switched over. The process is long at first and fairly easy if you have to do more than one conditional release. You have to get a conditional release from an active duty recruiter then your commander signs it. It will stay in place for 6 months. After 6 months, if you haven't switched over then all you have to do is go back to the recruiter and have he/she write a memo stating why you haven't been switched over and it will be extended. You have to see if you are eligible as well. You are now considered prior service so their focus is more so on new civilians off of the street. It's all based off of your MOS and any qualifications that you may have like Airborne.
I have even gone as far as looking into switching branches just to go active and then at some point switch back over to the Army. It can be a frustrating process, as there are what's called "business rules" that states the needs for the Army and prior service soldiers. Don't give up though. It's also easier for junior enlisted and they may say that you will have to be busted down a rank. Same thing if you switch to another branch. I know that for the AF, if I want to switch over I would have to come in as an E3. That was an automatic NO GO for me.
I have even gone as far as looking into switching branches just to go active and then at some point switch back over to the Army. It can be a frustrating process, as there are what's called "business rules" that states the needs for the Army and prior service soldiers. Don't give up though. It's also easier for junior enlisted and they may say that you will have to be busted down a rank. Same thing if you switch to another branch. I know that for the AF, if I want to switch over I would have to come in as an E3. That was an automatic NO GO for me.
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I had the same bright idea when I was split ops, but I am indecisive so my opinion changed after a week. So, I went to a regular army recruiter. He told me it was relatively simple because I wasn't under the prior service rules, and I would need to do all of the conditional release stuff, but I wouldn't be held to the SF candidates only rule at the time. So, I talked to my guard recruiter. He talked to RSP and they said no.
So, I don't really know if it was really my decision, but it adds to the story.
So, I don't really know if it was really my decision, but it adds to the story.
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I am currently doin this such thing it's like a year long process. But something you can do when you get back is try and go agr. Active gaurd reserve. Which is a full time gaurd job while at your unit. It's the same thing you just go home to your family everynighy
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SGT (Join to see)
Thats even if you qualify for AGR and how long the list is to actually get a slot in AGR
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A1C (Join to see)
AGR slots are hard to come by. you just have to hope and wait for your unit to get the budget for it.
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PFC (Join to see) everyone has given you great advice on here, listen to SSG (Join to see) and MSG Brad Sand, they know what are talking about. I've had the great opportunity to be given advice by MSG Sand and he's a great resource. Just remember, this isn't going to happen overnight, expect to fight and push, but more than likely eventually it'll happen. It might end up having to go all the way up to your state's TAG but when it makes it that far be grateful. I don't know enough about this kinda stuff but I do know a bit about the political arena, and in the Army it's a pain. Good luck and hope you make it there.
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1LT Ryan Millican
Ok, I sent you a message, don't really have a name, but found a phone number, which is a start
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PFC (Join to see)
Thank you! My recruiter called up there and explained to him the situation and he wants to see the letters and everything. I hope this works.
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Get a DA form 368 from a Active Duty recruiter take it up through the chain of command (properly) if your company commander signs off on it, it will go up to battalion then brigade then to state. At that point the TAG has to make the decision whether to release you or not then it will trickle back down and you'll get your answer.
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PFC (Join to see)
Talk to an Active Duty recruiter now. You can actually go into the Regular Army before attending AIT and you will be saving your State some money. Still need a 368 from your unit, so you may want to talk to your Unit Commander now.
Talk to an Active Duty recruiter now. You can actually go into the Regular Army before attending AIT and you will be saving your State some money. Still need a 368 from your unit, so you may want to talk to your Unit Commander now.
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PFC (Join to see)
I tried to go active and I have rsp my form and my letter explaining why I wanted to go active. They gave it back to me and told me that they're not going to sign it.
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MSG Brad Sand
PFC (Join to see)
Find your local Army Recruiter. While I am retired and out of the loop, I was a GC for too long and know what they can and cannot do. Make the local recruiter do his/her job and help you go Active Duty. If the Recruiter, does not think they can help you, talk to the Station Commander. The SC does not think they can help you...e-mail me.
Of course your unit wants to keep you, but they also need to look out for your interests too. Talk to the recruiters first...and then I can help you play hard ball...if you want to go that route.
Find your local Army Recruiter. While I am retired and out of the loop, I was a GC for too long and know what they can and cannot do. Make the local recruiter do his/her job and help you go Active Duty. If the Recruiter, does not think they can help you, talk to the Station Commander. The SC does not think they can help you...e-mail me.
Of course your unit wants to keep you, but they also need to look out for your interests too. Talk to the recruiters first...and then I can help you play hard ball...if you want to go that route.
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MSG Brad Sand
2LT James Montgomery
I think if you look, you will find that the regulation has not changed but their is a 'gentleman' agreement between the RA and the USAR/NG where we are not cannibalizing the reserve components...but if the soldier has a good reason this agreement can be waived. I will bet you a dollar to a box of donuts that I can find a pressing need after talking to her for 5 minutes. When the State signs the 368, USAREC will contract her. Business rules are just business rules. Most recruiters are not even aware they can even ask for the exception?
I think if you look, you will find that the regulation has not changed but their is a 'gentleman' agreement between the RA and the USAR/NG where we are not cannibalizing the reserve components...but if the soldier has a good reason this agreement can be waived. I will bet you a dollar to a box of donuts that I can find a pressing need after talking to her for 5 minutes. When the State signs the 368, USAREC will contract her. Business rules are just business rules. Most recruiters are not even aware they can even ask for the exception?
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Well, uhh, talk to your readiness NCO, if at all possible, talk to your commander and CSM, and also, get ahold of a active recruiter. The process at your level might be more complicated since you are new to the service. Might also be a different process that I because of state requirements. Get the requirements from your readiness NCO the, if they're willing to help, they'll guide you through the process. And that's all if active will take you. It could require a tainting a different MOS etc. You havany a hoop to jump through and many people to talk to. We're talking leads, letters of recommendation, and the like.
Good luck, I've tried it.
Some advice from a soldier who's tried it, see what the guard can do for you concerning AGR slots and the like before concerning yourself with active duty. Besides, you need to remember that the state just spent alot of money on you to go through basic and AIT, they may not wanna let you go for a few years.
Hope this helps. Just keep bugging them.
Good luck, I've tried it.
Some advice from a soldier who's tried it, see what the guard can do for you concerning AGR slots and the like before concerning yourself with active duty. Besides, you need to remember that the state just spent alot of money on you to go through basic and AIT, they may not wanna let you go for a few years.
Hope this helps. Just keep bugging them.
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SFC (Join to see)
It depends. When I was a recruiter if I had a Soldier who was having a tough time financially we could get him to go active in around six months. Of course your chain of command must endorse the request and you must be in an MOS that they are looking for.
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