How should I go about transferring from the Army National Guard to Active Duty?

2018-06-27T22:27:52-04:00

I'm currently enlisted in the Army National Guard as a 12B. Have been in the guard 10 years now. I have been highly considering going active duty so I am able to provide more for my family. How should I go about getting conditional release and will I even be able to enlist as my pmos 12b. I also am 31b qualified. I currently have less then 2 years left on my current contract with the Guard. Thanks for the help.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 11:39 PM

2018-06-27T23:39:26-04:00

The biggest hold up for guard to active is the recruiters can't fill your slot like they do reserve units cause it's separate recruiting entities.

Start working the conditional release after you talk to the recruiters and see what the Prior Service business rules are. The big things are check business rules and then the release from your current unit after you have the 368 and meet business rules it's a cake walk.

Sorry for so much repeating about it, it's a tedious process

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 11:43 PM

2018-06-27T23:43:02-04:00

After checking the business rules your 12b mos makes the requirements so work the conditional release and get with your local recruiter and they can start the processing from their end as well

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jun 28 at 2018 12:19 AM

2018-06-28T00:19:40-04:00

Follow what the previous comment stated: talk with a recruiter and work on your release from your NG unit.

Response by SFC Dagmar Riley made Jun 28 at 2018 2:12 AM

2018-06-28T02:12:51-04:00

I found the steps to take to switch over here: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/transfering-from-national-guard-reserve-to-active-duty-3353261
It first talks a little about it but then afterwards scrolling down the page it gives step by step instructions.

Can You Transfer from the Reserves to Active Duty?

Information and procedures for transferring from the National Guard or Reserve Military Forces to the Active Duty Forces.

Response by SSG Warren Fugate made Jun 28 at 2018 3:21 AM

2018-06-28T03:21:21-04:00

You can also go on the National Guard website and volunteer for a deployment and once on active duty choose to stay with the unit. I have known a few soldiers that have done it that way after having issues getting a conditional release sign and approved.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2018 5:38 AM

2018-06-28T05:38:58-04:00

I'm in the process of transferring from the reserves to active right now. I was in the guard for 4 years prior and now the reserves for 2. Active duty just this month was approved from my 1 star general but now I'm waiting on the recruiters.
Get comfortable and expect the wait it's taken me about 7 months to get where I am now.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2018 6:54 AM

2018-06-28T06:54:03-04:00

The 368 is the biggest wait. Once that is done its usually a cake walk make sure your MEDPROS is GREEN across the board that way you don't have to go through medical at meps again. Make sure you have all your DD214's and your NCOES so they can do a rank determination. Cross your fingers and hope everything works out. I am currently in the process and hopefully I will be finished with it soon.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 28 at 2018 12:41 PM

2018-06-28T12:41:09-04:00

Have you spoken to a recruiter yet?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2018 11:01 PM

2018-06-30T23:01:35-04:00

You always have the option to jump on Title 10 ADOS. MOBCOP or PFI! I'm down in Texas right now for the next 3 years as a 31B. The Guard give me the freedom to go and do what I want whereas you're at the mercy of the Army on Active duty. If you want some info, let me know!

Response by SPC Humann Humann made Jul 1 at 2018 11:43 PM

2018-07-01T23:43:15-04:00

Chelsea P. When I first joined the Army I joined in the Reserves. I did 5 years in my Reserve unit as a 12B and went active duty. At that time 12B was a shortage MOS so to get out of 12B was almost impossible. My first Active Duty station was Korea. Conditional release for 12B to go active duty was at that time hardly ever denied. I just went to the retention specialist of my Reserve unit and requested to go active duty and I ended up doing 5 years active and ended up in the "sandbox" during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Response by CSM Kevin Nolan made Jul 2 at 2018 10:56 AM

2018-07-02T10:56:17-04:00

SGT, the first step is to visit the local AD Army recruiter, this is the subject matter Expert on transferring from the Guard to the Active component and will assist you with any release and paperwork you require

abn
v/r

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Jul 11 at 2018 3:24 PM

2018-07-11T15:24:55-04:00

first stop for you should be the local recruiter..they can answer your questions and give you better guidance then probably 50 percent of what you will get here

Response by SGT Gary Reed made Jul 20 at 2018 11:37 PM

2018-07-20T23:37:32-04:00

Talk to a recruiter

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2018 4:13 PM

2018-07-30T16:13:20-04:00

Get out and go civilian law enforcement

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 7 at 2019 12:31 AM

2019-05-07T00:31:40-04:00

PFC Private RallyPoint Member the process length is variable. See an active duty recruiter. During the process you'll need a DD368 conditional release.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 6 at 2020 9:07 AM

2020-06-06T09:07:56-04:00

SSG Hartwigh is correct, you will need to get a DD368 signed off by the first General in your chain of command, or his designated representative. Depending on the State, it may be the State AG. I wouldn't think you would have any problems since you are already beyond you military obligation. There are two sections that the recruiter needs to fill out, so that's the place to start. He would also be able to tell you the availability of slots in your rank as a 12B or 31B. Generally, 90 days would be considered quick to turn a DD368 around. You could ask to hand walk it through and I know people that have done that, but be aware that they can also say no.

Make sure you have all your NGB22's and NGB23's when you hit the recruiter as well as copies of orders and NCOER's. it's been my experience that the NGB system and Army systems don't talk to each other, although I am told this is changing for the better. You will need the NGB23 to get credit for both retirement points for pay and active duty days for retirement time.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2021 6:14 AM

2021-04-20T06:14:33-04:00

I have a friend who went from reserves to Active, I believe it will be a similar process. However it took him like 2 years. Hopefully that won’t happen to you.