If a reservist goes to SFAS/SFQC and doesn't finish, does he stay AD or go back to reserves/NG?

2014-01-26T13:37:56-05:00

In the next few years I would like to get a conditional release from the USAR and be placed into AD. The current climate of the Army dictates what MOSs are available and that's fine with me because 18X is what I would chose regardless. My question is if I get my release and I washout of SFAS or SFQC do I remain active and get placed in an airborne infantry unit or do I get sent back to my reserve unit in my current MOS?

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 27 at 2014 12:12 AM

2014-01-27T00:12:05-05:00

I can't say what the standards or requirements will be in a few years after the current climate is done with the RIF and other cuts upon completion.

The prior standard was if you failed at any school or reclass MOS, then you fell under the auspice of needs of the Army which could in reality be any MOS, not just Infantry, I was at an AIT BN a few years back and we had a SM fail out of a QM course and they were offered either 92G, 88M, or 42A. A lot of what is offered is also going to be based on your GT/ST scores and the probable success within a shortage MOS as well.

I wish you luck and success.

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jan 27 at 2014 1:16 AM

2014-01-27T01:16:20-05:00

PFC Mullins,

You would remain on AD. However, you would fall under the needs of the Army for what unit you will be assigned to, considering you have completed all the other courses. The conditional release is pretty much asking the Reserves to release you early on the condition that the Army AD will accept you and you sign the contract.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2014 9:08 PM

2014-02-06T21:08:21-05:00

What is currently happening is if you fail out of the 18X pipeline, you will be dropped back to 11B. You are awarded MOS 11B prior to going through the rest of the course.

You will need to keep several things in mind though. A conditional release is not easy to get. It depends on a couple of factors and the choice normally lies with your unit. If they are short on your MOS andit's a hard to fill unit, then most likely it will not happen. Also if you plan to wait a few years you will have to fit into what are known as the HRC business rules. This is a list of MOS' by rank that the Army is currently taking onto Active Duty. As of today 18X is only available for prior service in pay grades E-1 through E-4. So if you make E-5 in the next few years, you might face that situation. A local recruiting station will type up the 368 (conditional release) and both you and the recruiter will sign it. I have seen them come back quickly and I have seen them never come back at all.

In the current state of affairs, as a recruiter, I would question why you are going to wait. If it is something you want to do, you need to act when the opportunities are available. Hope this helps and good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2014 9:27 PM

2014-02-06T21:27:52-05:00

Another thing you must consider is the fact of once you get that conditional release and complete all the proper steps for enlistment the decision is still subject to whether or not the Army needs you at that moment. The MOSs listed on the USAREC message leaves a loop hole for denying qualified reservist from achieving that goal of AD. That is ever changing. The message says yes but not just today, and you never know until you try. Good Luck.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 22 at 2014 9:59 AM

2014-04-22T09:59:36-04:00

PFC, Will need to get a 368 from your unit and once you enter AD, you are on AD. The Army is an ever changing beast, so it is impossible to tell you for sure what would happen BUT if it happened today, you would be reassigned within the Army. You would have an Army contract. Since you appear fairly young, you would still need complete your initial 8 years, AD, NG or USAR.