Posted on Jan 7, 2016
SGT Team Chief
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I'm currently a 14S serving with the Ohio ARNG. We just returned from a tour of serving on Operation Noble Eagle in the NCR. I liked the area so much I wanted to move back to the DC/Virginia area.

That said it logistically makes sense for me to transfer from Ohio's Guard to Virginia so I'm not commuting 7 hrs back and forth every month.

Virginia however lacks the 14S mos. I've tried to ask around and do some research on this myself but information is rather nebulous on this particular issue. That being: how does a state transfer function of you are transferring to a state that doesn't have your current mos?

Do you get a choice?
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Responses: 9
MSG Gerry Poe
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You have to find a unit that has a slot and will let you reclassify to the MOS the slot is. An IST can be initiated by the gaining unit, but depending on your states retention numbers. They might or might not let you transfer. You can try and get a hardship out of it, but just depends.
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SGT Team Chief
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Thanks Top, I was hoping to transfer to an Intel analyst or something in the 25 series to apply towards civilian employment. I guess I've got my fingers crossed that's an option.
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MSG Gerry Poe
MSG Gerry Poe
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Usually ISTs are pretty easy to get, but it all depends on your state's manning. Plus got to find a slot in Virginia.
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SrA Office Manager
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SGT Jones, I'm an analyst & in the MIARNG. I have a few officers in my section that live out of state. They actually combine their drills so they aren't making the commite every month. They do this because the states they live in (CA & VA) are saturated with Intel & the promotion rate is much slower. I'd consider staying in your state & trying to work something out with your unit.
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SGT Team Chief
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Huh, good to know. I'll check around and see what the situation is.
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SFC MLRS/HIMARS Crewmember
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Every state has at least one IST coordinator. You need to contact yours and inform them of your intent to move. They will contact the gaining state, find a slot for you, and push the paperwork. Your interaction with your IST coordinator is important, so you can be placed in an MOS you want in a unit which drills relatively close to your anticipated HOR.
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SGT Team Chief
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That helps a lot. My readiness NCO is pretty new at his job so he's not dealt with this kind of thing yet.
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CW3 Tac Officer
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You do get a choice, normally it's concerning what positions are available and if the State is hurting for numbers. Is your State/unit willing to let you IST? That's the first step. I'd also contact the IST office directly, the local recruiting station should have proper poc for that. Ask them if they're accepting reclass incoming Soldiers, again you'd get to pick if they are taking inbounds. Best of luck. I IST'd beginning of 2014, it can be a headache, but make sure you keep records and call twice a week to keep things puhsing- it's an individual's responsibility- not any specific office.
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SGT Team Chief
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Great advice, thanks!
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CW3 Tac Officer
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You pick your mos based off of that State's needs, being a NCO may require a wavier. Every State is different, I'd call thier IST office asap to start getting your plan together.
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If doing a National Guard interstate transfer to a State that doesn't have your MOS, what will you be assigned?
MAJ Operations Officer (S3)
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I have a Soldier in my Company who transferred to me as an Engineer. He's going to reclass to Infantry as soon as possible. As MSG Gerry Poe said, you'll need to find a unit that will accept you. The Commander of the unit has the final say. You may have to make the case for why you should be slotted in one of their limited intel NCO slots, especially coming from an unrelated career field. Most units prefer to promote from within.

They'll also need to be willing to pay for your retraining. Some AIT courses, such as 68W, are fairly expensive. I'm not saying these obstacles are insurmountable, just that you'll need to be prepared when you contact your desired unit.
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SGT Team Chief
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Thanks sir. I've already been making my case to myself, so hopefully I'll be prepared :)
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SMSgt Paralegal
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Have you looked at the Air National Guard openings in DC/VA? I was OH ARNG and was looking to cross training into the paralegal field - no opening in the Army - but found one in the ANG - 121ARW/JA. It sounds like you are willing to retrain into another MOS, so check in with the Air Guard to see what openings they have - I was able to make the switch without losing any rank - had to start my time in rank over, but in the end that was worth it to get into the MOS that I loved and working were I made a difference for the members in my wing.
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SGT Team Chief
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I just signed a 6 year extension on my deployment, would that be an obstacle with that?
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SMSgt Paralegal
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No you would be discharge from the OH Army guard and next day reenlist in Air guard for the reminder of you contract. The one thing that might hurt is if you received a bonus. You could have to pay it back.
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MAJ Program Technician
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What about Maryland? Or any other state closer than 7hrs?
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SGT Team Chief
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Well part of it is family related. Or rather family building that is. I've got a good social network set up and pretty rooted where I am, and I liked Virginias atmosphere over Maryland for the most part. Living on JB Andrews wasn't the most positive point for Maryland.
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SSG Military Police
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SGT, I don't think he necessarily meant living in Maryland. If Maryland has a 14S MOS you may be able to drill there and still live in VA... if the drive to the unit is closer than 7 hours. Just something to consider if it is a reasonable drive.
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SGT Team Chief
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Ok, follow up question. I'm seeing and have been told that I have to find a unit that would be willing to take me. Got that.

How do I get ahold of them? It's not exactly like readiness NCO phone numbers are just posted on a digital Rolodex. At least if there is I've yet to find it. Is there a POC I coordinate this with or is just a matter of luck?
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SSG Deputy Sheriff
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The IST coordinator will let you know what E5 slots are open and you can pick. Some units might not want someone new to their mos though, UAVs for example. Just stay on he IST coordinators ass. Took me almost a year to IST after I moved. My old unit almost marked me awol until I told him how Colorado was sitting on its ass. They lit a fire under them and I was in a unit in about two weeks.
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CPT Public Affairs Officer
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What did your chain of command tell you?
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SGT Team Chief
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Not much yet, just what I'd need to do to initiate the process, lik clearing supply, that I'd need my most recent ncoer, pt score, height and weight card, and to fill out the ist worksheet
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CPT Public Affairs Officer
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How did you find out the state you want to go to doesn't have your mos?
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SGT Team Chief
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That I checked on their national guard page for Virginia, and the fact that only a handful of states have Air defense units. Ohio, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina and I think one of the Dakotas if I'm not mistaken.
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