Is it easier to switch from Guard to Active Duty in another branch of service than it is to stay Army?

2015-05-30T13:01:29-04:00

I have heard some discussion saying that staying in the Army if one wants to transition is nearly impossible, yet other branches are more willing to take you if you're willing to take the leap, does anyone have any experience with this?

Response by SGT Robert Hawks made May 30 at 2015 3:54 PM

2015-05-30T15:54:47-04:00

I had a friend who went from the Navy to the Army and another from the Marines to the Army

Response by SSG Clayton Blackwell made May 30 at 2015 6:03 PM

2015-05-30T18:03:51-04:00

when I went from Army reserve to active, I visited with every branch. Staying in Army was easiest for sure. However, you will be limited on the MOS you choose to their needs, where you will have more options of differnet jobs in the AF or Navy.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 7:43 PM

2015-05-30T19:43:04-04:00

It's almost impossible to go Active into another branch once you're prior service.

Going from the RC into the Army is a cinch. You just need to bring a recruiter a conditional release. If your chain of command is jerking you around, you go to their boss...and so on until you have your release.

If you want to go Active right now, chances are your best bet is to get ready to jump out of planes.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 7:51 PM

2015-05-30T19:51:16-04:00

If you want to go active from any branch into the United States Army you have to be one Airborne qualified and meet the business rules if coming from guard or reserve. If coming from another branch you have to have the equivalent job title.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 30 at 2015 10:34 PM

2015-05-30T22:34:58-04:00

For a while the Navy had a program called "Blue to Green" where AD Sailors could transfer to the AD Army. I think this was during the height of OIF/OEF and the Army needed a lot more people.

As far as transitioning from Army reserves to AD Navy, you really just need to get an unconditional release from the Army last I heard, and a Navy recruiter can help you with that.
But what it all boils down to is needs of the Navy. Do they have any slots available and will you be able to move into a similar rate (MOS) or you may have to move into a completely new career field. Your ASVAB score plays a big part in that, and you may have the option of retaking it if the job you want requires a higher score than what you have.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 5:29 AM

2015-05-31T05:29:26-04:00

If you are on deployment, it is much easier. Because you are already on active status. so, if you are about in your window to re-up and deployed easy. I did it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 3:49 PM

2015-06-03T15:49:19-04:00

It all depends on the needs of the force and if you qualify for ad position.....oh and funds

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 11:03 PM

2015-06-03T23:03:13-04:00

Once you are prior service your options narrow vastly. If you can find an opening that you qualify for on the AD side regardless of branch...your current branch (and time) then become your nemesis.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 2:12 PM

2015-06-04T14:12:20-04:00

The business rules are we go by for prior service of NG Active or Reserve Soldiers. They change at any given time. Speak with s local Army recruiter to see what we are currently accepting as far as mos and rank. I can tell you that if you are E4 or below you can come Active as long as you will not exceed your RCP for that rank. An example is if you are an eight year specialist in the National Guard you can't come active. You will have to fill out a 368 conditional release with an Army recruiter return it to your unit for signature. They typically take 3 to 6 months. Once it is signed the recruiter can put you in the active duty.