Transistioning Army Reserve to Air National Guard. Would I be demoted?

2018-05-03T18:57:39-04:00

Would it be better to make E-5 then transfer or would the Air Guard demote me to E-4? I would also have to be sent to AIT. Would this stop me from taking the courses needed to earn E-5 in the Air Guard anyway?

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made May 3 at 2018 8:48 PM

2018-05-03T20:48:12-04:00

If you are a E-4 and below, you will not lose a stripe. I was Active duty Army, had a long break in service and then went to the Air Guard. I was told that whatever rank was in my DD-214 is the rank I will keep. My DD-214 showed I was a E-4 and I started out as a Senior Airman (E-4) with in the ANG. I was also a Army MP and I didn’t have to go to tech school (AIT) for the Air Force because I went Security Forces in the ANG.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made May 4 at 2018 1:03 AM

2018-05-04T01:03:41-04:00

You'll go to Tech School, not AIT, as an Army MP, you might not have to do Tech School. If you do, it will be in a TDY status, you'll stay at the Gateway Inn (think hotel, with maid service) for the entire time. You have to show up for class in the morning, and as soon as the training day is complete, you'll be free to do whatever you want. You may have a car and you are not restricted to base.

For promotion from SrA (E4) to SSgt (E5) you have to be a skill level 5 / journeyman (about 18 months after graduating from Tech School). You also have to have 3 years TIS and 6 months TIG, and there has to be a unit vacancy. Once you are a SSgt, you train for skill level 7 / craftsman, which involves another school at Lackland AFB. That carries you through MSgt (E7). You can also come in to the field as a SSgt, but you still have to do the training.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 4 at 2018 10:25 PM

2018-05-04T22:25:58-04:00

1. This is a service transfer Army to AF- your current rank is immaterial since the ANG will slot you where they want you and in the rank they need. 2, You can hope that the deal will let you keep your current grade- but no guarantees.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2018 7:50 AM

2018-05-12T07:50:43-04:00

It depends on the billet you are moving into. At your current pay grade you should be fine. I was select O-3 in the USAR and swore into the ANG before I pinned. BIG MISTAKE! Had to be and O-2 for another year before I promoted.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2018 9:40 AM

2018-05-24T09:40:22-04:00

When you go Air Guard you can apply for any AFSC available. I recommend changing only because I have had three different jobs and I consider that a perk. Also every Unit is different so be sure to check them out ahead of time. If you asked me, Montana Air National Guard rocks!!

Response by MSgt Michaeld Bowen made Jul 13 at 2018 3:51 PM

2018-07-13T15:51:18-04:00

I I transferred from The Navy Reserves USMC Reserves in 1990 to the Air National Guard was sent to school for biomedical equipment repair technician did not lose rank went from an E6 to an E6 petty officer first class to tech sergeant it was in my contract when I relisted

Response by MSgt Michaeld Bowen made Jul 13 at 2018 3:57 PM

2018-07-13T15:57:29-04:00

.y tech school was11 months long I PCSed lived in perminate party barracks. Hey Air Force reservist stayed in the on base billeting and had made service cable TV and telephone sc6 as we had cars and didn't have to march to class what you force and below had to

Response by MSgt Michaeld Bowen made Jul 13 at 2018 4:07 PM

2018-07-13T16:07:11-04:00

depends on your MOS to afsc if you need a tech school you may be able to keep your rank or retain after completion of school

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Mar 20 at 2019 1:51 PM

2019-03-20T13:51:34-04:00

I went Regular Army (SGT E-5) to ANG (SSgt E-5). Granted, that was a while ago. I would say that it's dependent on the unit, but promotion in the ANG is almost automatic to E-5, so it's not a big deal. Although my MOS translated to an AFSC, that wasn't the type of unit I was going into and I had to go to Tech School. It's once you get to E-5 that promotions to TSgt (E-6), MSgt (E-7), SMSgt (E-8), and CMSgt (E-9) are more difficult to attain. When I said I was going to retire, the powers that be offered me a chance for SMSgt, but I had already made up my mind (although it did make me hesitate for a moment).
Going from the Army to the ANG was the right decision for me. The USAF relies heavily on the ANG (and the AFR) and considers both as an equal partner in most respects. The units that I was part of (Combat Communications Squadrons and an Air Control Squadron) each had an Active Duty Senior NCO Advisor for the Commander (LtCol). The one that I remember most was promoted from MSgt all the way up to CMSgt, a lot of it based on his experience with the ANG. But he was probably out of the norm, being a hard charging NCO. But just be prepared for an increase in operational tempo.