Posted on Mar 10, 2019
Split Ops soldier wanting to renegotiate contract during AIT, is it possible?
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So, to start out I joined the Army Reserve under the split ops program around one year ago. The process to get into AIT has been rough admittedly because I haven't stayed on top of it. I graduated early back in December and probably should already be through with AIT. That's beside the point, the main thing I wanted to say is that I joined the reserves under the split ops program mainly because of my impatience and eagerness to join the Army, I joined under the thought that I would go through college and become an officer during my time in t the reserves. Although after drilling for around 6 months now and being out of school and seeing how officers typically interact with enlisted people I realized that it just isn't for me and now I feel like I'm wasting time being in the reserves when I could be active duty doing what I love. I've realized that the Army is probably the first thing in my life that I have really felt passionate about and I'm here drilling once a month when i'd like to be drilling every day, but in an actual active duty unit. Alright enough ranting, my question is would it be at all possible to renegotiate my contract to go active duty during my time at AIT, I don't really mind if I have to switch my MOS, I just really want to get out of Tennessee and do the Army full time. Sorry if this message comes across as salty or negative in any way. I'm mainly just upset with myself for being impatient and making a decision that wasn't right for me. I've really enjoyed my time at my unit, but that's the problem I enjoy it so much I get upset when I have to go back to my civilian job at wally world.
TL;DR: Can I switch to an active duty contract during AIT?
TL;DR: Can I switch to an active duty contract during AIT?
AIT Student
Military Career
Reserves
Advice
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 12
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I was an eager 17 year old and joined the army in the reserves as a split op soldier. Your best bet is to wait until after AIT, you will be too focused on your courses to be worried about renegotiating your contract. If you really want to go active duty your best bet is to wait until you hit your two year mark and then submit a DD368, a conditional release from the reserves. My packet took seven months start to finish to get me to my first active duty station. But it also depends on your company, they may be hurting for your specific MOS and may deny your packet so you will need to surf out your contract in the reserves and then re-up as an active duty troop. I know its frustrating because it is, you're eager to go get some and get to work, but patience is a virtue and it will bring you to where you want to be.
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SGT (Join to see)
PV2 (Join to see) I was able to keep my education benefits. If you decide to go the active duty route you'll go back to MEPS and make a new contract, new station, benefits and job if you want, but its all dependent on Army need. I wanted to go to Ft Bragg to be a paratrooper but i got sent to Ft Hood because of Army's needs. I would highly recommend looking into the AGR program, I didn't do it because I honestly never thought about it, but I've served with soldiers who have done it and they love it. Don't be caught up in this stuff at the moment, worry about AIT, do a couple drills and decide for yourself what route you want to be on. I know exactly what youre going through, and trust me, AIT is the biggest issue at the moment.
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PV2 (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - You're definitely right about AIT being the biggest issue at the moment. I've been busting out PT nightly to prepare for it and I'm probably leaving within a month or even maybe the next couple of weeks, but this is just me seeing if it was possible. I may try AGR or I may try the 368 route. I'll have to look into it a bit more and see how I'm feeling after AIT I guess, if I can't go active after AIT that is. As of now the AGR route seems to be the next best thing for me until my 6 years is up and I can go active by reenlisting.
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SGT (Join to see)
PV2 (Join to see) Worst thing that they tell you about the 368 is no, you'll still be in the Army but having to serve your time as a reserve troop, you can keep trying to push it. A guy I knew in the guard submitted a packet five or six times before he got approved and it still took him almost 8 months to process. It really depends on how bad you want it, but they have classes about AGR and you can always talk to your leadership who are AGR. Just stay motivated.
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PV2 (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - I definitely want it, so I'm going to keep pushing. Luckily for me though my NCO is AGR and as a matter of fact I believe the potion I'm in is actually in need of an AGR soldier so I'll definitely look into that.
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You can't renegotiate a contract unless it was fraudulent or defective.
Also, you can't renegotiate because your contract is with the Reserves, the Active Duty is an entirely different component. That's basically like buying a TV at Best Buy and returning it at Target.
You won't even be able to meet with a recruiter or submit a conditional release until you finish AIT, and you wouldn't be qualified for transfer into the active component because you wouldn't be MOS qualified yet.
Also, you can't renegotiate because your contract is with the Reserves, the Active Duty is an entirely different component. That's basically like buying a TV at Best Buy and returning it at Target.
You won't even be able to meet with a recruiter or submit a conditional release until you finish AIT, and you wouldn't be qualified for transfer into the active component because you wouldn't be MOS qualified yet.
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PV2 (Join to see)
I understand. At the moment it's looking like I'm going to get AIT out of the way then focus more on maybe switching over to active duty afterwards.
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Submit an AGR packet when you graduate AIT. It goes up to a board, but you would go on active duty orders anywhere from 1-3 years. I would get in touch with someone on the reserves side to get more information though.
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PV2 (Join to see)
Is going AGR as an E-3 even worth it though? Like would you get BAH, or anything sort of benefits that makes active duty livable on the low salary of a lower enlisted?
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