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

I have been in USAR for over 20 years. Currently a career counselor. You want more options/ advancement. USAR!! Your can speak directly if you like

Transition if you want school but you lose so many of the benefits. It's often more of a sacrifice to be guard or reserve. If you don't have a clear purpose and direction like going to university then do not come off active. Don't fall under the grass is greener mentality because often the other side of the wire is fertilized with more bulls°°t. I'm a strong advocate of living the good life and having career profession that active duty offers. Also know that statistically you will find 200% unemployment for being a service member than civilians enjoy. Lastly the clicks of guard and reserves tend to increase the amount of folks that practice ornithology... in other words, blue falconry is rampant.

Lots of good advice here. The only problem I can see is that the NG is famous for reclassifying units to different branches entirely. The cavalry squadron I served in (Waco, TX) had been an infantry battalion within living memory, and has again been reclassified. I have no idea what branch it's supposed to be any more.

The Army Reserve including the IMA program would gladly help you. Recommend you seek support from either Local Army Reserve Commander or contact HRC and speak to Individual Mobilization Augmentee IMA POC. If you are languages qualified there would be a plus fir your assignment. Seek help ALDI from Army Reserve Recruiter who may know things that I do not know.

SGT, it really depends an a number of factors. 1) Do you know where you are going to live / work / attend school when you ETS? If so you want to join a unit that is very local to your home (less that 30 minutes). 2) Consider both USAR and ARNG (but that is an issue to be considered on its' own merit) units regardless of your MOS. 3) Career Progression; is there a unit (USAR?) w/your MI MOS w/in 100 miles of where you are going to be? Could you "split the difference" commute wise, living 50 miles from work and 50 miles from the Reserve Unit (TPU) (my son ETS'd the Regular Army and drives 150 miles to his USAR unit. Why? They're airborne and he gets to jump and draw jump pay)? are you wanting to change MOS' and be a Medic or Grunt or Treadhead? Worth considering, at least. Contact the IRR and consider being an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (MI seems a natural fit for that).
The Reserve Component wants you. They will train you in a new MOS if need be.
The medical benefits alone are worth one weekend a month / two weeks a year til you've got your 20. All things being equal I'd go USAR (I'm Retired NG) as they are federally funded and there is no State HQ to "short stop" monies that could benefit you.

Army National Guard Reserves and Air National Guard Reserves benefits are about the same depending on the state. In the state of Florida , state taxes are low and retirement incentive after 30 years of service " Florida Army National Guard Reserves " from " Part-Time Service, you will be immediately receiving a monthly check, no need to wait until your 60 years old. Re-up bonuses are higher in the National Guard Reserves than the reserves in some cases. In Florida, soldiers who enlist 6 years or more have an option of receiving free education benefits and also at the same time receive a bonus for enlistment, wish you the best of luck on your transition.

Be all you can be is the definition of the Army. That's all I wanted to be and the Army made me that.

Depending on what type of units are in your area, you may need to change MOS. I commuted over 50 miles because I wanted to belong to particular unit. It is a rewarding way to continue with your service plus make a little extra money. There are several states that offer tuition assistance for Guard members while still collecting your GI Bill benefits

Yes. I did three years on active duty before transitioning to the WA ARNG. I would shop both the reserves and the guard. One thing to consider is that not every state in the Guard has the same kind of units and MOS available and the reserves have no combat arms. For example, in the Washington Army National Guard we have an Information Operations unit which is fairly rare but all Civil Affairs is located in the Reserves, the Guard has none. So a lot depends on what your current MOS is and what you want to do and if you're willing to change jobs.

yes you can / you'll it