Is there a way of transitioning from active to Guard or Reserve?

2020-09-09T07:10:04-04:00

Going through some family issues and being away isn’t helping.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 9 at 2020 7:16 AM

2020-09-09T07:16:17-04:00

Only if you are about to ETS and your AD contract is up

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 9 at 2020 8:12 AM

2020-09-09T08:12:34-04:00

I want to encourage you to provide additional information in your profile. Asking the RP community a "what do I do with my life" type question with a nearly blank profile doesn't give us much to work with. There are tons of experienced people on RP who will be happy to provide advice and information, but the quality and applicability of that information and advice will improve greatly with a good profile from you. (end of rant, sorry)

Yes, you can transition from active to the Reserve Component; however, there are many considerations. LTC Jason Mackay had the most definitive immediate answer. You can talk with recruiters from the Reserve Components (Army Reserve & Guard, Air Force Reserve & Guard, Navy and Marine Reserves, and Coast Guard Reserve). There may be programs they can help you with that might allow you to transition before your active duty contract is complete.

Moving to the Reserve Component may not solve the underlying problems you're dealing with. Reserve and Guard members do get activated, go TDY, and may be deployed. I'm just guessing the issue is family separation during TDYs and deployments. Of course this is a perennial problem of military service. Fortunately, the Services are aware of the problem and have support systems set up to help families. Please get with you unit first sergeant and find out what support is available through the Army. My observation while I was a DAC shows that there are family support capabilities at most levels of command and on installations. Also, there is support through the medical corps, usually through the psychology department (not what they call it these days) at the medical center.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2020 11:12 AM

2020-09-11T11:12:31-04:00

When your active duty contract is ending you'll be contacted by a reserve recruiter (usually) about going directly into the reserves. You can also go to the reserve recruiter on your base. They'll do the contract for you and find you a reserve unit before you ETS from active duty. Your report date is the day after your ETS date. I transitioned from active duty to the reserves in January 2019 and it was an easy transition. Go talk to the reserve recruiter now if your ETS is within the next few months.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2020 11:26 AM

2020-09-11T11:26:11-04:00

Can you switch over. In the middle of a contract.