Posted on Mar 20, 2022
Should I switch from Army Reserves to Active Duty if I have a good job as a gov't civilian?
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I have been 6 years in the reserves, just commissioned from OCS last September. I am a GG11, working towards a GG12. Despite a good civilian job, I am unsatisfied with the reserves and, to a lesser extent, with my civilian job. When I've been on orders I have loved it and I feel more gratified being in the service than not. Would love some advice from the community from those who made the switch from reserves to active or anyone who has experience on this topic. Thank you.
Reserves
35D: All Source Intelligence
Career Advice
Military Career
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
1LT (Join to see)
Only you really know what the right decision is. But I would look into other federal jobs and maybe a different Reserve or Guard unit. SSgt Christophe Murphy made some great suggestions on agencies. You could also inquire about the possibly of AGR slots and if they would work for you. If you aren’t opposed to moving it may open up some opportunities. After you exhaust all those avenues then maybe approach the idea of Active Duty.
Good Luck in your career.
Curt
Only you really know what the right decision is. But I would look into other federal jobs and maybe a different Reserve or Guard unit. SSgt Christophe Murphy made some great suggestions on agencies. You could also inquire about the possibly of AGR slots and if they would work for you. If you aren’t opposed to moving it may open up some opportunities. After you exhaust all those avenues then maybe approach the idea of Active Duty.
Good Luck in your career.
Curt
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1LT (Join to see)
Curt, thank you for your comment. SSgt Murphy had great points. I have looked at other agencies and with my knowledge of the community I would like to switch over. But if I am in a position to experience what I want to get out of the military, I am feeling like it is now or never. And from what I've seen, AGR is a bit of a toss up, with limited openings and a bit more cut throat. I will look into though. I will look into transferring units as well. I don't make such decisions without serious thought, but I appreciate in you emphasizing other the avenues before AD. Thank you again Curt!
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Have you thought about changing Reserve units, at least these days you can. When I was a mil tech you had to be in the same unit you worked for.
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1LT (Join to see)
James,
Thank you for your response. I definitely could, thing is for my case as an MI officer I still have to search around for an open LT billet, and not many units have openings. Plus its also a matter of distance for me. I've always flown to drill and it becomes a pain.
Thank you for your response. I definitely could, thing is for my case as an MI officer I still have to search around for an open LT billet, and not many units have openings. Plus its also a matter of distance for me. I've always flown to drill and it becomes a pain.
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I would recommend looking at all of your options before locking into AD. You have a significant about of time already invested to the reserves. If you want something different you could entertain switching up your Gov job. You could apply to something like State Dept or one of the 3 letter agencies or law enforcement agencies. FBI, Marshal, DSS, etc. You can have a cool day job while still moving forward with your Reserve job.
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1LT (Join to see)
Christophe,
Thank you for responding to my question. My civilian job is already with a three letter agency. My thought process if I chose AD (which I'd hold off on for 2 years) is to serve to the end of my mil contract and if I decide to leave and re-enter the civilian side I can use my clearance to join a different agency or re-join my current one, using my civilian contacts and experience in my current agency. Only question is if they'd re-hire me at my current pay grade. Still, with how things are going Reserve side rn, AD sounds like the better option.
Thank you for responding to my question. My civilian job is already with a three letter agency. My thought process if I chose AD (which I'd hold off on for 2 years) is to serve to the end of my mil contract and if I decide to leave and re-enter the civilian side I can use my clearance to join a different agency or re-join my current one, using my civilian contacts and experience in my current agency. Only question is if they'd re-hire me at my current pay grade. Still, with how things are going Reserve side rn, AD sounds like the better option.
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