I want to transfer from the National Guard to Marines or Air Force. Does anyone have tips or a push in the right direction?

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 14:49:38 -0500

I've been in the National Guard for a little over two years and I kinda got stuck here cause I didn't do so hot in school. I know everyone is gonna say get your degree and go officer but I have no desire to be an officer anymore. I understand the process to transfer but any advice on which route I should go and how soon?

(By the way I'm thinking of 0311 or TACP for those who were wondering.)

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Dec 29 at 2016 3:04 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 15:04:20 -0500

My advise, figure what you want to do first and foremost, if it is a technical field the AF may be the way to go. If it is whoa all the way, then may wish to go USMC. You really have to have a good idea of what you want to do prior to walking in to a recruiting office/filing paperwork. If you go in blindly, be prepared for what you get offered. Have you looked at what the Army would offer? The Army does have this thing called Infantry, and not knocking the USMC in way shape or fashion. I have a lot of respect for my brothers in Blue (Branch color of the Infantry). Not mention, if you have any issue with sea sickness, the USMC may not be place for you. DO you want ot go airborne/air assault you may find it easier to do when you walk into an Army Recruiting office as a condition of enlistment/transferring over.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 3:29 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 15:29:23 -0500

First and foremost, you really need to speak with your Career Counselor AND Recruiters from the other branches you are interested in. Some of the first questions that need to come out of your mouth to all of these routes should be: Is it possible to switch now or do I have to wait until this contract is up? Will I lose my bonus and will I have to pay back any of my bonus if I transfer now (this is only if you did receive a bonus)? If I'm able to switch now without waiting for my current contract to expire, what paperwork do I need to complete and/or have completed by my command?

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Dec 29 at 2016 3:56 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 15:56:46 -0500

Just a comment from an old grunt,but why do you want your life to become more complicated ( read Airforce) or downright dangerous (really read Marines) I think going back to school would be my advice ,life is way easier that way believe me.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 4:09 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 16:09:40 -0500

If you go marines you will have to do boot camp again all the way to ait and be a boot. I wouldn't but to each his own. You will have to go through meps either way once you get a conditional release

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Dec 29 at 2016 5:27 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 17:27:05 -0500

Its not that simple to "transfer". First you must have a conditional release approved by the National Guard, basically abolishing your contract under the condition you enlist into another service. That is your biggest hurdle, as most states are not keen on releasing people from their rosters that they already paid the training bill for. Second, the branch you want to enlist into has to be accepting prior service applicants and you have to meet the other basic qualifications. Many people who enlist in the ARNG are not qualified to enlist in any other branch, as their standards and what they will waive are different. Not saying that applies to you, just saying you need to understand the big picture and do some research before you assume that this is even an option for you. Good luck.

Response by CPO Bill Penrod made Dec 29 at 2016 6:11 PM

CPO Bill Penrod — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 18:11:20 -0500

Generally speaking the Marines don't take prior service. See a recruiter before making a move.....

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Dec 29 at 2016 7:16 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 19:16:23 -0500

Talk to your chain of command. The final say is your commanding officer. He can sign off for you and you can leave the guard and enter active duty if you qualify. There will be another PT test before you leave.

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 30 at 2016 12:59 AM

SFC George Smith — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 00:59:06 -0500

Contact your Career Counselor AND Recruiters Or those of the service you wis to frabsfer to... They will be able to tell you what is Available...
Count on Going thru Marine Basic As A minimum and possibly the Air Force As Well

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2016 7:41 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 07:41:06 -0500

So here is the not so fun discussion...
You have to get a DD-368 its a conditional release from the NG to Active duty whatever. Its a pain in the rear to get done. I tried it when I was in TX and it was denied twice. My advice, work hard and get in good with your full time staff and your 1SG and CO. Talk to them about it. Prove to them that you want it. After go to an active duty recruiter. Get the form and submit it. You then have to play the waiting game until it is approved... If it is approved. After that you just re up at a MEPS station. Im still working on one in GA too.
Hope this gives you some insight brother.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Dec 30 at 2016 9:34 AM

SFC Jim Ruether — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 09:34:19 -0500

I had a young Spec 4 in my section and he wanted to do the same thing you are thinking of doing. He spoke to the recruiters, myself, the Battery Commander and the BC asked him again if he was serious and if he was he had to have a place to land. He chose to go to Ft. Rucker as he wanted to be a Black Hawk pilot. He entered the Warrant Officer Program and is now stationed at Ft. Rucker as an instructor pilot after serving four tours overseas in various locations. He said it was the best thing he ever did and has stopped in to thank me for believing in him on numerous occassions. He said it was my trust in him that helped him succeed even when times got tough. He just didn't want to disappoint me or his BC. Everyone in the unit is proud of him.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2016 11:59 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 11:59:17 -0500

I know a guy here in Iowa in the ARNG who just did the exact thing you want to do. I think he's in boot camp right now. I know he had already turned in all his gear when I left the unit a few months ago.
Not only do you have to go through Marine basic (being in TX you'll go to San Diego/Camp Pendleton like I did) but you'll go through the School of Infantry as well, providing you stick with an 0300 series MOS. SOI is as Camp Pendleton, BC is a mix of Pendleton and MCRD San Diego, but mostly MCRD.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2016 4:02 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 04:02:24 -0500

I have many friends from basic training who tried to go TACP. I'm honestly not sure any of them made it. I see that you're an infantryman, and that should help you with many of the skills needed to succeed. But I would absolutely caution you that if you were going to cross over into TACP that you do not take it lightly. It is insane how much stress the TACP cadre put you through, and how much they push you.

The good thing about choosing TACP over the Marines is that you won't have to go through basic training again. You might have some kind of training, but not a whole 3 months of marine boot camp. That means you can have more success when you train at your own level instead of assimilating to the level that boot camp puts you at. Plus you'll join me in being an airman, in the branch that treats you the best.

I have a lot of respect for TACP, and any Battlefield Airman. I tried to get a TACP contract, but due to circumstances settled for an EOD slot. It wasn't the best choice for me, however, and I re-classed into aircraft maintenance. I don't regret it, but I wonder sometimes how I would have turned out if I had spent the time to get that contract. I want to commission now, and I'm considering becoming an Air Liaison Officer, a TACP officer. But that's a side note anyway. I've also gotta say, I met an E-4 TACP one time. He had a bigger ribbon rack than the E-8s in my field.

Good luck! Whichever route you take, make sure you're more than prepared.