Split Ops soldier wanting to renegotiate contract during AIT, is it possible?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 22:50:08 -0400

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?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 10 at 2019 11:10 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 23:10:45 -0400

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member Rally Point is pleased you are enjoying the U S Army!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 11:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 23:18:13 -0400

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 11:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 23:32:34 -0400

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.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 10 at 2019 11:36 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 23:36:06 -0400

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member never base your opinion of the Army, regardless of Component, on one unit. SFC Private RallyPoint Member is it possible to volunteer for AD off a RC contract during AIT? Simply looking and learning on here it would seem he'll have to continue to AIT, return to the Reserves, and work with a recruiter to enlist AD and obtain a conditional release from the RC on a DD368.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 11:45 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 23:45:04 -0400

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 4:38 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 04:38:05 -0400

Failed to stay on top of it? Word to the wise, if you do submit a DD 368, active duty wont tolerate you "not staying on top of it". I highly recommend you going active duty, it will be one of the best times of your life, but you should know its nothing like drill. Two completely different way's of life with a common theme. Your unit might require you to wait X amount of months before approving a 368 (generally 6 months). Your best bet is to do the 368 if you are still passionate about it, and reclassify your MOS in the transition to AD.

Best of luck.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 9:12 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 09:12:30 -0400

Tough love time:
You are putting yourself in a situation that will blow up everything you say above is your goal. You simply must complete IADT and get an MOS in hand or you are a burden to your unit. You can't deploy. You can't do your job. You are a nugg that can do compelling things like shred paperwork and guard the door. No thanks.
You need to get "on top of things" and get a ship date, period.
After that gets done, announce your desire to do a conditional release and gauge your commander's support for it. Without him/her you are stuck for six years. It will help your cause to be jonnie-on-the-spot and make yourself useful and stay motivated.

Things change. Goals change. It won't be the last time you scratch your head and say "what am I doing here?" Make a plan, get support, and execute it. Sandbagging and procrastinating gets you nowhere.
Good luck, PV2 Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Mar 11 at 2019 1:26 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 13:26:16 -0400

"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."
Speaking as a former soldier, drilling in the Army Reserve is really nothing like being in the Regular Army. Take a fictional example. Suppose you have a 1SG or a SGM in an Army Reserve unit who happens to be the Owner/President/CEO of a company for which the Commander of the Army Reserve unit is a MAJ/LTC, but is also an employee of that 1SG/SGM during the week. You can probably think of the interactions these two individuals might have.
You're young and inexperienced. Don't think you have all the right answers - nobody does, even at the most senior levels. Careers evolve over the decades, especially in today's world. What you're being trained to do now, or are doing now is most certainly not going to be the same thing you'll be doing in 5-10 years.
You might decide that you indeed want to become a Commissioned Officer, Warrant Officer, or be CSM at some point. You might leave the service after your term of enlistment. You might decide to join another service. Anything might happen throughout your life.
The key is to be adaptable in life, because nothing ever stays the same. Life is full of surprise - I had no idea I would end up in Ohio, probably for the rest of my life. But situations and circumstances come about because of the actions of a lot of things that happen.
One key point - at this time, do the best and strive for the best at what you're doing or training for right now. It pays off in dividends over the long haul.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 6:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 18:05:00 -0400

You can go AGR. You would want to look into what the rank requirement is though. I went in Reserve, hated it, submitted 3 368s and got no movement and once I hit E5, I was eligible to apply for AGR. Got picked up 3 weeks later. Depending on your MOS, it’s very competitive to get in to, as was mine. Don’t be fooled, AGR is a very professional world. You have to be squared away because most of the time, you won’t have you PL’s or anyone else there to police you up. You have to stand on your own two legs. Most AGRs are at the Reserve units but there are some (like mine) where you may not see a Reserve unit and you’re thrown in with the Regular Army (like myself). There is literally no difference other than the components (Regular Army, Army Reserve and NG). Active duty is active duty. So, everything works the same. You get your full time pay, full time benefits and everything else that comes with it. I can’t say what it’s like as a private. I came in as an E4 with a dependent so I haven’t lived in the barracks. If your NCOIC is AGR, you should ask him or her or the career counselor. Don’t get so caught up on the component because there is active duty in all of them.

As many others have mentioned, focus on AIT for now and towards the end, start making a plan on which direction you will want to go in.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 9:20 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 09:20:33 -0400

Hey brother, you will need a DD368, which begins talking with a recruiter. Then, it will go up to the chain all the way up to your First Star General. Of course, the Conditional Release will be supplemented with other documentation per unit policy. I was in the exact same boots as you when I was 17 in the USAR due to my eagerness to sign a contract, unfortunately I was not permitted to go Active. DO NOT let other Soldiers or NCOs discourage you. I noticed when someone does a Conditional Release, they may be discouraged by others. Stay persistent. You can also apply for active duty tours on https://mobcop.army.mil or https://pfi.dod.mil . On these tours, you can go on missions with active duty units, PCS in an active duty, and even work with Special Operations units. Of course, I would have much rather have been actual Active duty, attend airborne, air assault, etc. but I made the best of my situation and went to Europe, and am going again within the next two weeks. If you need any more information regarding conditional releases or these active duty tours as a reservist, feel free to message me in my inbox. Stay motivated, brother.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 4:33 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 16:33:29 -0400

From a prior enlisted reserve soldier to active duty officer; don't let the actions of a few officers dictate your life choices in that manner. I have a great working relationship with my NCOs and Soldiers. There is a balance, the positions serve different functions, but at the end of the day, it's what you make it.

If you don't like what you see, don't act that way. It's as simple as that. Poor leadership is part of the reason I decided to make the switch. You can make the difference yourself.

But as others have said, you cannot renegotiate your contract through AIT. You'll have to wait until you get to your unit and your Commander would have to sign a conditional release.

If you wish for further guidance, feel free to contact me.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Jul 5 at 2020 3:00 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Sun, 05 Jul 2020 15:00:03 -0400

When your current contract expires, negotiate away