What are my options by transitioning from Active Duty to National Guard or Reserves?

I think I originally was asking if it were possible for me to transition from active duty to the Reserves or Nat'l Guard being as I have time left on my contract.

I would suggest the National Guard for two reasons. One that you have the opportunity to serve your state and your Country. Second National Guard Units deploy as a whole unit not as individuals. In 1993 when I transition to the Guard. There was a retention NCO at my division headquarters that helped me through the process. Now though every recruiting command has a FB page. Would think you could talk directly to a recruiter.

Just one point I did not see made here and that is in the reserve you will fill slots where ever necessary during large scale deployments like Afghanistan. If they need 88M in a California unit and you want to deploy or get orders that is where you go till the end of the deployment. In the NG they fill slots within the state unless you request otherwise. Just some food for thought. Both have upsides and down and offer lots of the same benefits. The last kicker is that you will have to wait till your 60 to get a retirement. If you want the retirement at 20 yrs stay active.

SGT ... that depends on your ultimate goal(s). If you want to give yourself the widest possible opportunities for advancement and avail yourself of continued educational opportunities in the way of service schools and the greatest spectrum of active duty or augmentation then you need to transfer to your service's Reserve program.

It will allow you the greatest opportunity for advancement and a larger variety of opportunities and experiences as you work toward retirement. Many Reserve component specialties are very complimentary to civilian opportunities in that they offer experience that many employers need. But chose your MOS carefully, you may even need to consider "reclassification", as some things translate more readily to civilian job classifications & others not so much. So consider carefully what your MOS entails and whether it translates to something you can make a living at in the Civilian world.

For instance if you specialize as a Cannon or other heavy weapons operator, that may not be in much demand in Civilian Employ, so you may wish to consider changing your MOS to something more marketable on the "outside".

Give it some thought before you jump, make sure its something you can live with both as a Service Member and a Civilian Employee. In my case it was easy... in the Active Duty Coast Guard I was what was called a "Damage Controlman" which was basically the seagoing version of a Firefighter.

People in my rating were also trained as Carpenters, Welders, Plumbers, Pipefitters, Fiberglass Boat Hull Repair Technicians and a "boat load" of other skills (no pun intended) very easily translatable in the Civilian Job Market. Because of that single 6 month service school... I've never been without work, unless I wanted to be.

I also gained experience during my time in Service as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, I was trained as you were in the care, use and deployment of small arms, the .45 Cal and 9mm Pistol, the M-1A1, M-16, Model 870 12ga Shotgun, M-60 & .50 Cal. Machine Guns, many of which are useful to most Local/Municipal, County, State & Federal Law Enforcement organizations.

Upon my discharge from Active Duty after Vietnam, I very easily transitioned into Civilian Law Enforcement and Public Safety Service, first as a Police Officer and later as a Firefighter/EMT where I've spent the bulk of my Civilian Career, while at the same time spending an additional 33 years in the U.S. Coast Guard Select Reserve which included a short 7 year stint in the Arizona Air National Guard.

I eventually abandoned the Az. Air Guard, because of the severe lack of opportunity for promotion. However they did allow me the opportunity to participate in a number of very useful Air Force Tech Schools related to the Fire Service, which really gave me a leg up and allowed me to accelerate my advancement when I returned to the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, and in my Civilian Fire Service Jobs.

All that being said please, please, please give careful consideration to your attitude toward possible deployment in the future. Once upon a time the Reserve Components were a place to finish out a military affiliation by doing a single 2 day drill period each month and a two week stint of Active Duty in some regard during the summer months.

Due to the state of the world and a plethora of looming threats to our "national security", prolonged deployments of from 6 months up to a year or two will be a very real possibility, if not an absolute reality, throughout the remainder of you Reserve Component participation. This after all is what the Reserve Components were originally designed for... a ready source or trained and experienced personnel. Reserve Components are now a ready source of "Surge Manpower" when needed in a hurry due to current federal budget restraints and compressed reaction times owing to "needs of the service" due to current world conditions. Consider the implications, particularly if you are in & considering to remain in, a Combat arms specialty. Something that is going to impact both your plans for Family and Civilian Career, it's just a simple fact.

If you have a wife, you need to include her in your decision making process, as your decision will have a heavy, long range impact on her as well. My First wife eventually decided she couldn't live with the dual career life style and the rigors of being to spouse of a Military Reservist.

My Second wife was Ok with it, early in our marriage, but the longer it went, particularly after I got past the 20 year mark, the deployments and my being gone sometimes for weeks/months at a time began to wear on her considerably. She was one happy camper when the U.S. Coast Guard finally required me to Retire.

I found my continued Service in the Reserves component very lucrative, rewarding investment, which continues to pay dividends even though I've been retired now since 2006. I have no regrets. My Reserve Service gave me the opportunity to meet and work with many outstanding people, Dedicated People like you I might add! To broaden my horizons through leadership and other modes of in service training and education & ultimately allowed me to give back to this great Nation that has given us so much.

Good Luck in your future endeavors, feel free to ask questions, I was my Reserve Units "Command Enlisted Advisor" for many years and have assisted many with the myriad of considerations that a individual comes up against at this point in their career progression. Just remember... in any case... the only stupid question is the one, you're afraid to ask out of fear or trepidation or that remains unasked for any other reason. If you don't ask it of me because I'm a "shallow water sailor", ask it of someone you trust in your own Service or Rating.

Sincerely
PSCS C.W. Boss
U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)

SGT (Join to see) I concur with just about everyone here. Ulitmately as a federal force, the USAR will have more opportunities, especially at higher ranks and you would not be tied to one state, waiting for person above you to get promoted, retire, or die. That being said, you may have to travel further too since USAR units are not as localized as NG units tend to be. I will also add that right now it depends on what you want to do and how you envision your future as a reserve component Soldier. The NG will have the combat arms units, the USAR will have most of the combat service support units, and they overlap with the combat support units. Regardless of what you do, I encourage you to continue serving as you can still earn a retirement and serve at the same time. Good luck on your choice!

Go USAR. Nothing against NG because I went there free active duty, but promotions are tougher due to slots. I moved over to Reserves, got promoted, ALC, now in SLC and looking to get promoted again, all within 48 months of the transfer. Just find a unit close to wherein want to live and allot your retention folks. MOS change may or probably will be required. Good luck.

As a person who has served active duty Army, then National Guard to USAR I agree with the CSM in regards to promotions. True you must wait for a slot to open within in the state before a promotion happens but you stay in the state and still have the same connections that you have created in the National Guard and depending on your state you really don't have to travel that far. I am from Virginia and while in the Guard I traveled across the state for new positions and promotions. However it is at your own expense and if you don't have money to stay in a hotel sometimes they will let you stay in the Armory. Whereas with the USAR you currently get LIK for over 50 miles in our state. I like the USAR's ability to send you to needed schools and training plus our Annual Training's are more mission directed. I am in an Instructor Unit with the USAR and we train ROTC Cadets during the summer. The Guard is more community based and you will have the opportunity to serve during emergencies in your state which gives me a great since of pride. I know some states like Virginia also give their Guardsmen half price decals on their cars, in state tuition along with the GI Bill. I have deployed with the National Guard but not with the USAR so I am not sure of the structure there. Hope this helps.

if you want to go guard or reserve all you have to do is talk to a recruiter that is part of those organizations. I was active duty and switched guard, because i didn't know i was going to make it a career or not. comes down to a DD368 and a conditional release from you unit and BDE.

Each military installation should have an in-service recruiter for both the Guard and Reserves. It should be part of your out-processing.

Where do you live, what do you want to do? I can hook you up with a Drill Sergeant unit in the DC/MD/VA area quick as that <snapping fingers>