How long will I have to be in the Army Reserves before I can switch over to active duty?

2019-04-15T12:05:09-04:00

This is a "trust but verify" situation..... At this point in time, I am being told by a recruiter that because of my status within the Navy IRR, I would be ineligible to enter the Army on an active duty status right off the bat.

Instead, I would have to join the reserves and then do the switch over once I complete AIT. The goal has always been to go active duty. Are there any folks out there, who could probably have some insight on how long this layover may be, and what could possibly go wrong.

The dotted line has not been signed yet, so I would like to know as much as I can before I do that.

Thank you in advance...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2019 12:46 PM

2019-04-15T12:46:19-04:00

It should just be a Conditional Release (DD 368) sent to the Navy IRR, they usually come back within about a week. PM me if you have any other questions, I might be able to do the form for you and once it comes back you can take it into the Recruiter and start the process

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2019 12:57 PM

2019-04-15T12:57:08-04:00

Since you’re in IRR I would do a 368 that gets sent up. Once you’re out of IET for the Army reserves, a 368 takes month to reach the approving authority (I’m on month 4 right now)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2019 1:41 PM

2019-04-15T13:41:49-04:00

I've never heard of that. Is it because you are talking to a reserve recruiter, or a National Guard recruiter?
You should be able to do anything as long as you have your conditional release signed, and until you have that sign there is nothing they can do. I've never heard of any policy really active duty Army would make you join the reserves first

Response by SSG Brian G. made Apr 15 at 2019 2:18 PM

2019-04-15T14:18:58-04:00

I have never heard of that. As long as you are released from IRR you can go wherever you like, you do not have to join the reserves first. My advice is to not take the recruiters word as locked in stone, but seek another recruiter at a different location. Not all recruiters are the same or equally as knowledgeable.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Apr 15 at 2019 2:26 PM

2019-04-15T14:26:20-04:00

I am more curious with your rank. Are you doing an IRR transfer as a commissioned officer (1LT?). Not sure a recruiter has the ability to that with a commissioned officer, that's a DA action. Or did you go through the process of resigning your commission already?

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Apr 15 at 2019 3:09 PM

2019-04-15T15:09:49-04:00

Bro, the recruiter is about to screw you if s/he is recommending to resign your commission! Instead, s/he should work on getting a conditional release from the Navy (DD Form 368) and do a Commissioned Officer contract.

So long you meet all of the Army’s requirements you shouldn’t have any issues.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2019 6:42 PM

2019-04-15T18:42:33-04:00

It took me 6 months but one of the 2LT in my Unit only took him 2-3 months . It’s also about how your chain of command process the paper work . The Army Active Duty is in need of Officer so your process could be quicker you just gotta be on top of it !