Posted on Oct 29, 2015
I'm told I have to go into the IRR before transferring from the Guard to Reserves. Is this true?
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UPDATE: After asking this question to multiple individuals, including this community, I finally have an answer that makes sense and assures me that I'm not being fed a line of BS. My outstanding Bn S-1 did a lot of work on this. So, transferring from the Army National Guard to the Army Reserve can happen both ways: with either a Conditional or Unconditional Release. The Unconditional places you in the IRR. It involves less paperwork, but you have to completely out process the unit before being transferred. The Conditional route usually takes longer and involves more coordination between the two components. Once you are in the IRR, it is basically a unit transfer order for the gaining unit, which is why they prefer that route. Thanks to all of you for your very helpful input. This thread has helped greatly.
IRR
Transfer
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 17
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Sir, if you need some assistance please conact me on yhe global and I can link you up with USAR Warranyt Officer Accessions.
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That is not correct, but it is one path to get you there. Some would say it is easier and faster than a direct component transfer.
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1SG (Join to see)
And yes, your post-9/11 benefits transfer with you. Any state-based benefits probably do not, but it depends on the state.
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No. It's not true, but your current unit needs to agree to release you from your contract. I left my reserve unit at the end of a drill Saturday and enlisted in the Guard the next morning. It happens all the time.
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CW4 (Join to see)
I don't really have a contract with the Guard anymore at this point, so that isn't an issue. And they are being very helpful in the process. The Reserve unit is the one telling me to go IRR first, and I believe it is due to the "that's the way we always do it" mentality versus what the regs actually lay out.
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As 1SG (Join to see) stated, it is not literally true. I am one of those who would say it is easier and faster than a direct compo to compo transfer. Especially if you are sure you want to make the jump, but not sure about a unit yet. It is the path I took.
The reason(ing, at least in my mind...) is that a direct transfer will generally involve a conditional release, which is an inherently complicated process. The Guard will release you contingent upon, and effective upon, the Reserve picking you up. The Reserve will pick you up contingent upon, and effective upon, the Guard releasing you. This requires some timing, and people on both sides being experienced in the minutia of the regs. It ALSO requires the Guard being WILLING to let you go. Nobody is REQUIRED to grant you a conditional release.
The two step process has two steps, but each is self-contained, quick, and easy.
Step one: Quit the Guard.
This may take a few different forms depending on commissioned, enlisted, and length of service. As long as your state isn't being obstructionist, this should be a very simple process, even with a remaining service obligation. I would check with a personnelist, but it could be as simple as turning in a 4187 and telling 3-4 people, "Yes, really. No, I don't want to go ING."
In my case, I had over eight years of commissioned service in the Guard, no remaining obligation, and simply resigned my Guard (but not my federal) commission. BOOM in IRR.
Step two: At your leisure, and with no complicated admin requirements, find a unit and join it.
Since you are already in the IRR, which is a **part** of the USAR, it is a simple unit to unit transfer. As you are requesting to go from doing nothing to doing something, you can count on it being approved with almost no fuss.
I would have to look, but I think it was less than 8 weeks from "I quit" to "Welcome aboard" for me. YMMV.
The reason(ing, at least in my mind...) is that a direct transfer will generally involve a conditional release, which is an inherently complicated process. The Guard will release you contingent upon, and effective upon, the Reserve picking you up. The Reserve will pick you up contingent upon, and effective upon, the Guard releasing you. This requires some timing, and people on both sides being experienced in the minutia of the regs. It ALSO requires the Guard being WILLING to let you go. Nobody is REQUIRED to grant you a conditional release.
The two step process has two steps, but each is self-contained, quick, and easy.
Step one: Quit the Guard.
This may take a few different forms depending on commissioned, enlisted, and length of service. As long as your state isn't being obstructionist, this should be a very simple process, even with a remaining service obligation. I would check with a personnelist, but it could be as simple as turning in a 4187 and telling 3-4 people, "Yes, really. No, I don't want to go ING."
In my case, I had over eight years of commissioned service in the Guard, no remaining obligation, and simply resigned my Guard (but not my federal) commission. BOOM in IRR.
Step two: At your leisure, and with no complicated admin requirements, find a unit and join it.
Since you are already in the IRR, which is a **part** of the USAR, it is a simple unit to unit transfer. As you are requesting to go from doing nothing to doing something, you can count on it being approved with almost no fuss.
I would have to look, but I think it was less than 8 weeks from "I quit" to "Welcome aboard" for me. YMMV.
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SFC Jeff Kinsley
Sir
You make a valued point but let's say you have an mos that is needed and you are in the IRR they can call you up and stick you anywhere. If you are in the Guard they can't. Getting a conditional release isn't that difficult. I had to get a lot of them done for Soldiers while I served as a Readiness NCO it only takes a max of two weeks. It is harder up get out of the reserve to come to the Guard.
The Guard will give you 60 days if you move to find a unit. The reserve not do much. The bottom line is if you don't care where you go or if you like getting juked around then go IRR
Good luck
You make a valued point but let's say you have an mos that is needed and you are in the IRR they can call you up and stick you anywhere. If you are in the Guard they can't. Getting a conditional release isn't that difficult. I had to get a lot of them done for Soldiers while I served as a Readiness NCO it only takes a max of two weeks. It is harder up get out of the reserve to come to the Guard.
The Guard will give you 60 days if you move to find a unit. The reserve not do much. The bottom line is if you don't care where you go or if you like getting juked around then go IRR
Good luck
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COL Vincent Stoneking
SFC Jeff Kinsley - SFC Jeff Kinsley you make a good point about the POTENTIAL to be involuntarily mobbed out of the IRR. I don't consider that a significant issue at the current time, especially for the length of stay being discussed here. I think you vastly overstate the trauma associated with the IRR in a "non-war" time.
Likewise, I have seen some ARNG units be awfully foot-draggy when it goes to people wanting to leave either the unit or get a conditional release.
Unquestionably our experiences vary.
As for being harder to go USAR --> ARNG, probably. But that is a return trip I don't foresee me making, so I've never really looked into it. (Edit: Though my IRR-->ARNG trip was painless and took less than a month from "Hey I have an Idea" to being sworn in)
Of course, all of this is beside the point, which is whether it is easier to go ARNG(TPU) --> USAR(TPU) or ARNG(TPU) --> IRR --> USAR(TPU). I firmly believe that the later is a smoother transition more times than not.
Likewise, I have seen some ARNG units be awfully foot-draggy when it goes to people wanting to leave either the unit or get a conditional release.
Unquestionably our experiences vary.
As for being harder to go USAR --> ARNG, probably. But that is a return trip I don't foresee me making, so I've never really looked into it. (Edit: Though my IRR-->ARNG trip was painless and took less than a month from "Hey I have an Idea" to being sworn in)
Of course, all of this is beside the point, which is whether it is easier to go ARNG(TPU) --> USAR(TPU) or ARNG(TPU) --> IRR --> USAR(TPU). I firmly believe that the later is a smoother transition more times than not.
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There is usually base reserve recruiter that works with soldiers (including officers) that are ETSing from active duty. They can help place soldiers directly in units in the area you plan to live.
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CW4 (Join to see)
Not sure if it would be easier to go through a recruiter, since I am already in close contact with the unit I am transferring to. I am transferring from, not ETSing out of, the Guard. Not sure if there's a difference in regards to that.
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SGM (Join to see)
Chief,
You don't have to be placed in the IRR first. You can be transferred directly to a USAR unit from the National Guard. The biggest delays I have seen are when the current unit or higher HQs are reluctant to release the Soldier. I can get a good contact for you to assist. Where are you now? Ft Rucker, or in WV and where is to unit located that you plan on transferring into?
You don't have to be placed in the IRR first. You can be transferred directly to a USAR unit from the National Guard. The biggest delays I have seen are when the current unit or higher HQs are reluctant to release the Soldier. I can get a good contact for you to assist. Where are you now? Ft Rucker, or in WV and where is to unit located that you plan on transferring into?
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LTC (Join to see)
CW4 (Join to see) - If you already contacted a unit, the HR officer can take care of it and make a direct transfer. I had it done that way from AD. In that case the recruiter not necessary except to answer questions.
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From my understanding it's true and you need a TAG release letter as well.
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LTC (Join to see)
If from Guard to reserve, yes, I did that to; I gave an example from AD to reserve.
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When I went from USAR to ARNG I was put in the IRR temporarily in order for the ARNG to pick me up in their system. I believe it is true, and I assume it is necessary in order for the individual components computer systems to be able to process the 'transaction' of you changing sides.
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1LT (Join to see)
It is possible there is more than one way to transfer, were the other people you knew who transferred just changing units or did they change component as well?
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LTC (Join to see)
CW4 (Join to see) - Just take into account that you will loose Tricare eligibility the moment you transfer into the IRR. I did not realize that when I transferred. My USAR Career Councelor was unreachable for two weeks and I had no Tricare in between. It only took me 10 days to get my release from the National Guard after my request. Just make sure an Army reserve recruiter can get you right in.
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CW4 (Join to see)
Thank you, sir. I have not been using any state benefits to date, so I'm not worried so much about that. I have been assured that I will only spend one day in the IRR by the Bde commander and the Bde S-1, so we will see.
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Some recruiters prefer that method to going thru all the paper work. Once in the IRR they can then pick you up and place you in a reserve unit. Not sure which way is better. My unit had some Indiana Guard Capt. do that. I also think they did it because their command would not release them other wise.
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LTC (Join to see)
It is only easier for the recruiter. Be very careful, you lose your tri-care coverage the second you go into the IRR. Nobody tells you that or apparently nobody knows that.
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