Prior active duty, Current reservist. Should I do RC to AC or stay where I am?

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 14:23:49 -0500

I was active in 2008 until 2012. I got PTS denied out of active and decide to do Reserves with no breaks in service. I am a QM2 currently eligible for QM1 next year. I have a Government job on the civilian side which I really like and all. I love the whole Double-Dipping Government thing but My heart wants to go back Active Duty and get my retirement. I’ll be 38 at my total 20 years. I’m just not comfortable with waiting until 60 for retirement. I hope I didn’t entirely answer my own question but What should I do? Any advice or recommendations? Thanks to All

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Dec 30 at 2015 2:29 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 14:29:04 -0500

It sounds like what you want to do is go back on Active Duty. A lot of people want to do that but aren't able to due to personnel overstrength. If you are in a rate that is being accepted to the active duty side, and that's what you want to do, why would you not?

The only thing I didn't see you mention was which job you would actually enjoy doing more. That should really be the driver, since what's the point of working somewhere for 10 or 20 years if you don't actually enjoy it? You only live so long.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 2:40 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 14:40:48 -0500

PO2-If you can make it happen-I'd go back to active. I'm north of 37 now, and will be working for well...at least another twenty years, if I manage to stay alive that long :)

At 38, you'll be getting the well deserved retirement from the active side...or can continue to serve with the Reserves...and I'd bet money, you'll be just as marketable for a great career within the Government to follow. Best of both worlds.

That said, coming back from the "Dark Side" is next to impossible with the current manning...and making a career out of the SELRES just about as tough. If someone's offering you the golden ticket back to the the Big Navy...I'd think long and hard before letting that slip away.

It sounds like you miss the full time experience...can't say I blame you, Shipmate!

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 30 at 2015 2:59 PM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 14:59:37 -0500

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member Well if your heart is on Active, go back, if you can. That might not be easy, but QM's are always needed, at least they were when I was in. Wouldn't hurt to look into it. I'd contact a recruiter.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 30 at 2015 3:09 PM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:09:01 -0500

You could always see what ratings are out there that you could return to active duty through and go for there. I hate that the QM rating is so small and that they have cut you like that. Perhaps they could get you back in as a QM but doubtful. I hope you are able to find a way. Good luck and keep me updated on how it's going and if there is anything I can do to help let me know.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 3:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:18:15 -0500

Look into the AGR program.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 30 at 2015 3:48 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:48:59 -0500

If you do go back in, put in as much into PTSD as you can each year. I meant TSP lol

Response by PO3 Brad Phlipot made Dec 30 at 2015 4:34 PM

PO3 Brad Phlipot — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 16:34:34 -0500

If it is doable STAY IN, you can collect your retirement at 38, huge help in life plus you and your family will have full medical coverage as the laws are not changing until 2018. You have a GREAT career ahead of you and the rewards for that far out way leaving now. Hang in there man.

Response by CDR Kenneth Kaiser made Dec 30 at 2015 7:46 PM

CDR Kenneth Kaiser — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 19:46:58 -0500

Not sure how long you have before you make the decision however if you can wait till after the exam it used to be easier to get promoted in the reserves than on active. In which case take the exam make first then if you want go back on active duty. Otherwise you might have a longer wait until you make it especially if you go into a new field. Just a thought.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 9:53 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 21:53:17 -0500

Whatever you do decide to do, better move fast before that new retirement system kicks in.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2015 12:06 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 00:06:07 -0500

QM2, as reservists, we can almost pick & choose our MOBs (as an IA) so without giving up your federal job, you can still earn active duty time (for retirement points) & take advantage of Military TA (if you choose) while MOB'd. Do what's best for you but keep this in mind when deciding.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Dec 31 at 2015 7:02 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 07:02:19 -0500

Have you considered applying for an FTS billet?

Response by SFC Robert Striblen made Dec 31 at 2015 5:18 PM

SFC Robert Striblen — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 17:18:11 -0500

I would consult a career counselor in your reserve unit, there may be some programs you havent investigated.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 11:58 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 11:58:01 -0500

Everyone is different QM2. I'm current Reserve with 4 years active with a 3 mo. break in between. I honestly am not liking the Reserve aspect and would go back Active very quickly if I could. With that you have a good govt. job (pays bills, incentives), I would go reserve so you can have your retirement. You have several options in the Reserve where you can go on mobilization if you wanted to or get on a deployment (depending). Also you are doing almost all of the work yourself; you don't really have a PS or Admin that will soley work for you. It's hard to explain.

I would go reserve since you have better ground to stand on. Yeah I know how you feel about going Active.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 1:23 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 13:23:38 -0500

Reserve Retirement can add to Government Retirement if you buy back your time.
It also depends on your advancement potential in your Gov't career field. If they are advancing 100% in your rate on AC, it might be worth it. If they are looking for your rate to convert to AC, then advancement may be good, however, the current trend is moving people out and downsizing.
It is hard to beat a government job when it comes to stability.
My 2¢

Response by PO2 Morton Scisco made Jan 7 at 2016 8:26 PM

PO2 Morton Scisco — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 20:26:17 -0500

If you have a great government job and a reservist job, I recommend stay reservist. Keep your government civ job. By you joining ACTIVE SERVICE, your government job is no longer entitled to you. You might not get that job when you retire from active service. Retire from both civilian government job and reservist when you're 60 old cause thats the only time you will be actually receiving both checks. 60! Do you want to be searching for a great job like the one government job you have after getting out of active service?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2019 10:25 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:25:31 -0500

It depends. I'm in a similar shoes. Was active 2008-2015, reserves 2015-2019, Guard 2019 + and am looking at an ART slot for next year. If not ideally id like to go AGR, but since I'm changing career fields and branches in the process it makes it more complicated. I've thought about applying for active duty army JAG, but although I miss the military M-F if I could get an ART job and pick my location I think with my family that would be the best choice.