What is the likelihood of making E5 as an E4 going from Army National Guard to Active Duty?

2023-03-15T00:07:00-04:00

I've become pretty fed-up with being in the Army national guard, and I have no path to promotion for at least another 5 years as the NCO's above me in my state have no intention of retiring anytime soon. I'm thinking of going active duty, but as a 6.5 year specialist, if I switch to active duty, what are my chances of actually making E5 before I hit the 10 year mark and I get forced out? I fear that when I go active duty, I'll be treated more like I'm fresh to the Army as my national guard service might be looked down upon by active duty folks. Plus, I never got any awards, deployments, schooling done (other than BLC), and I'm not entirely sure how the promotion points work on the active side.

Worth noting that I'm 32 and I'd be one of the elderly E4s walking around active duty.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2023 12:29 AM

2023-03-15T00:29:30-04:00

As long as the cutoff scores of your MOS are not so high, promotion will be entirely up to you. Make sure you are integrated for active duty promotion when you switch over. Max out your correspondence if you haven’t already. When you get to your unit, do very well on your ACFT and weapons qual. Turn your JST transcript into civilian education (thus boosting your points) by evaluating them with a college. Volunteer for courses that give you points (S1 has a list for that). You do all that, you can get promoted in less than a year after joining.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Mar 15 at 2023 1:53 AM

2023-03-15T01:53:33-04:00

I Was A Sgt In The Guard , When My Technician Job Was Cut, I Decided To Go Active They Dropped Me Back To Spc Because I Had About A Year As A Sgt , I Made The Sgt List In Less Than A Year Then I Was Severely Injured In A LOD Accident And Was Given A Medical Discharge.
I Was Not Treated Like Some Boot Just Out Of AIT , However Each Duty Station Has Different Ways Of Doing Things So Don’t Act Like You Know Everything.
Tell Your Recruiter You Want To Keep Your Date Of Rank , They Are Hurting For Bodes Right Now So They Probably Do That.
They Back Dated My Date To When I Made Spc Which Gave Me Time In Service And Time In Grade For Promotion The Only Thing You Will Have To Do Is Make Points , Get Recommended And Pass The Board .
Good Luck In Your Future Career.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 15 at 2023 8:01 AM

2023-03-15T08:01:00-04:00

With the time remaining you should be able to get promoted, as long as the Army has the slots available. As for transferring, just perform, that will quickly shut down the rookie I.D.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Mar 15 at 2023 8:22 AM

2023-03-15T08:22:34-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, it is disappointing to hear about your experience in the NG.

First, promotions are pretty standard across all components of the Army and can be found in AR 600-8-19. Aspiring Sergeants should know a few key regulations (including that one) going into Basic Leader Course.

Second, talk to an AD recruiter, like SFC Private RallyPoint Member. He may be able to tell you how dense your current MOS is. This may given you an idea of what and where opportunities exist.

Third, you did not indicate the number of promotion points you have, probably because it doesn't matter much in the NG, but in the other two components it can keep you from getting slated for promotion if you are way down on the OML. You can do things to increase your chances:
1. create and IDP in ACT. It can show you the OASS classes you can self-enroll in to increase your promotion points for self-development.
2. max your ACFT (everyone should have a record by April).
3. max your weapons qualification (go to a range to practice, plenty of private ranges offer significant discounts to NG Soldiers).
4. know your MOS and basic Soldier skills inside and out. Get ahold of the Skill level 2,3,4 MOS book so you know what to expect at higher skill levels. (you will be re-boarded for E5 in person)
5. be proactive when you show up to BA, motivate your peers. If you work in a shop, there should be plenty to do, if not train on your basic Soldier tasks.

Finally, you will most likely be treated like you are fresh out of basic if you switch to AD. You have been in for 6.5 years, and since you haven't deployed, that means you have worked for the Army for about 240 days compared to an equivalent AD Solider's 2200 days. How you conduct yourself will really determine how you are treated in the long run. In another 10 years, it won't matter if you continue to develop yourself to "be all you can be".

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2023 9:11 AM

2023-03-15T09:11:15-04:00

If you were to go Active Duty, you would get a new MOS, yours is currently balanced.
There are currently 105 MOSes available today for a prior service enlistment, that changes constantly, and you could end up with an MOS you never heard of, and a duty location you never considered.

If promoting is your only concern, you could just remain in the Guard and reclass now, the obvious options are anything that has a BN or more of that MOS in your state: EN, FA, IN, MI, MP, TC, etc. The difference is, you get to choose the MOS, and you don't have to move, leave your civ job, drop out of school, etc.
Most transition courses (other than MI and MED) are 4 weeks.
If you mentioned the state you are in, I might be able to tell you what your best options are.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Mar 15 at 2023 10:21 AM

2023-03-15T10:21:45-04:00

The Guard unit in my wife's hometown had a good handle on the problem of getting NCOs promoted. 7, 8 and 9 were temp ranks for 2 or 3 years, however long it took to lock in retirement. At the end of the required time, they went back to 6 and another 6 took their rank and place. That way, the NCOs could retire at the highest grade held.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2023 1:07 PM

2023-03-15T13:07:05-04:00

For the deployment side of your concern, don't sweat that too much. Most junior-enlisted Soldiers have not deployed. It shouldn't stop you from making E5. The culture in our ranks is changing as the war came to an end. I have a deployment patch from time on the Enlisted side, and it makes me stick out now as a junior Officer. I am no longer the norm.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2023 11:29 PM

2023-03-15T23:29:15-04:00

Speaking as one who went from Reserves to Active Duty as a SPC....your rank will get recalculated, giving you a different Date of Rank. One of the main reasons for this is so you don't get hit with RCP. As for your chances of making SGT before 10 years...that's gonna depend on your promotion points and where you land on the OML. As for how they'd treat you....well, that is going to depend on the people in the unit. When I went Active...some gave me some friendly ribbing but for the most part, no one really cared. Also, I would like to point out that when I went Active, I had but 3 ribbons on my chest. I, too, had no deployments nor schooling.

While these areas can be of concern...they are easily overcome.

Response by Amn Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2023 6:24 AM

2023-03-16T06:24:15-04:00

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