Is it at all possible to transition to the National Guard or Reserves from active duty?

I don’t recall one, it has been done many times in my career. A soldier joins the Army with high expectations and finds out that the Army is a joke, so they transfer to the NG or AR and gets their expectations met.

GySgt Gary Cordeiro - so with that in mind, what effect would this have on a soldier's benefits, if any? like VA compensation or separation pay for example

PFC (Join to see)
You will still receive them but at a reduced rate. Retirement is still 20 yrs.

I tried but it didn't work. I've also heard that it is possible, but from what I was told the only way it can be done is if your unit commander signs and allows your dishcharge to whatever unit you are going to in the NG or AR. That is the hardest part of the process. Usually the unit commander isn't so willing to just let you go that easy. I had a legitimate family issue I was facing and talked to him about it face to face and he refused such a thing and only allowed me to do a "compassionate reassignment." If your unit commander allows your release and gets you dishcharged on those terms then yes it is possible but it's not easy. I hate active duty myself because my unit is trash and a prime example of why the Army gets such a bad reputation but it's ok 2 more years and I'm gone with the wind.