If I commission in the Guard and branch infantry, will I retain my branch if I go Active Duty at the end of my Guard contract?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 21:22:41 -0400

I am currently an 11B enlisted in the Guard and I want to commission. I already have my degree. I was wondering if I commission in the Guard and branch infantry in the Guard, will I retain my MOS if I go Active Duty at the end of my Guard contract

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2021 9:36 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 21:36:28 -0400

I hear it’s becoming more and more difficult to switch from guard to active, especially with military downsizing, but yes you would retain the 11A MOS

Response by LTC Stephen Conway made Sep 4 at 2021 9:40 PM

LTC Stephen Conway — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 21:40:13 -0400

I have heard that Federal recognition of a state o c s is difficult and they are biased against you but if you went to Fort Benning OCS, they may accept you. Have you ever thought about being an a g r in the guard or Reserve? They will not discriminate against you.
https://www.usar.army.mil/AGR/#:~:text=Active%20Guard%20Reserve%20(AGR)%20Soldiers,20%20years%20of%20active%20service.

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Response by LTC Stephen Conway made Sep 4 at 2021 9:41 PM

LTC Stephen Conway — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 21:41:45 -0400

https://calguard.ca.gov/cmd-jobs/

CMD Jobs | Cal Guard

State of California

Response by LTC Stephen Conway made Sep 4 at 2021 9:43 PM

LTC Stephen Conway — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 21:43:26 -0400

I would recommend you get in the logistics branch. Most officers I know who go up the ranks go from combat arms to Logistics as they go up the ladder especially above the rank of Major. LTC Greg Henning LTC Private RallyPoint Member CPT Private RallyPoint Member MAJ Ronnie Reams CPT Private RallyPoint Member SPC Erich Guenther SFC Private RallyPoint Member LCpl Benji Smith

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2021 9:49 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 21:49:29 -0400

If you commission in Guard you will not be able to transfer to the Regular Army. The only way you can transfer is the "Call to Active Duty" Program. I went Active from the Guard. It was only due to a shortage of officers. The program is going but it only takes a few MOSs. Infantry is not one of them. If you want to go active you should commission into the Regular Army. You will keep your branch if you transition. Also, if they do open the program up they will be selective. If you are an infantry officer without a tab then you will not be very competitive. I came from the guard with a tab and wings.

Response by LTC Greg Henning made Sep 4 at 2021 9:59 PM

LTC Greg Henning — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 21:59:35 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Your source of commissioning will be federally recognized. I went the same route and went active duty. Best of luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2021 1:46 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 01:46:59 -0400

It will be easier for you to join Active Duty under the 09S program and go straight to OCS.

Response by LTC Dr Richard Wasserman made Sep 5 at 2021 7:21 PM

LTC Dr Richard Wasserman — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 19:21:42 -0400

It depends on the needs of the service.

Response by SGT Trip Heaverly made Sep 5 at 2021 8:13 PM

SGT Trip Heaverly — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 20:13:37 -0400

Just go to SFAS. If you get selected you’ll have options, if not you can still be an LT in the Guard.

Response by 1LT Rich Voss made Sep 6 at 2021 11:23 PM

1LT Rich Voss — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 23:23:06 -0400

SPC Zane F. - once again, I am amazed at the breadth knowledge here on RallyPoint. Was fairly straightforward for me, as I was drafted in '66. Went from US to RA to get a choice of schools. Moved up enlisted ranks, got a specialized AIT OCS-prep, brief posting in regular unit, then fortunate enough to get the OCS I wanted. Armor. Up to that point had been 11B like you. Branch changed upon graduation. Mind you, I was 19 with no degree. Very different needs of the service then ! My last position on active was Assistant S2 of an Armored Battalion. When I joined my active reserve unit I became Asst S2 of an Artillery Brigade, as the closest tankers were two states away. My unit commander obviously wanted me to do the branch transfer course at Fort Sill, with the furthering of my career at War College etc on offer, as the LTC discussed here at length. Life circumstances had me moving back to Germany, which at that point had no active reserve units at all. My service ended nearly 10 years after it began without being able to take advantage of any of those advanced courses. I wish you good fortune in your pursuit of becoming an officer !