Posted on Aug 17, 2015
SGT Intelligence Analyst
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I am currently serving on active duty orders but am curious to find out if I have an option to transition to the Reserves or the National Guard. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Posted in these groups: Military civilian 600x338 TransitionD3fe61e5 Army Reserve Elements
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CSM Michael Poll
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The biggest difference I see with USAR and the NG is in the promotions. The USAR you can cross State lines to receive promotions, in the NG, you are stuck within the State. I would not be a CSM right now if I were in the NG, because in the NG, you have to wait for a slot to open within the state. I was able to serve in MI, IN, IL and OH because of the versatility of choice the Reserves offer.
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SSG Robert Boggs
SSG Robert Boggs
10 y
You have an excellent point CSM.
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SGT Randall .jay Gamble
SGT Randall .jay Gamble
10 y
but if they choose to go than . its there choice.
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CPT Multifunctional Logistician
CPT (Join to see)
10 y
I know people who have played both sides of the fence successfully. There have been several O-5's I know who were destined to retire there in the Guard but went to the Reserves and picked up O-6 very quickly. I also know someone who went from the Guard to the Reserves to get O-4, and then several years later came back to the Guard to get O-5. It helps to keep your options open.
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CPT Field Artillery Officer
CPT (Join to see)
10 y
Keep your options open as well too. I left Active Duty in Fort Benning, GA, and the Reserves would have kept me promoted on pace with Active Duty, but the nearest unit was Engineer with no Non-MOS Q positions available, so had I gone into the Reserves, I would have been SOL. Right across the river in Alabama was A Battery, 1-117FA, and they almost tripping over themselves to sign me up. Within two days of notice, I had received a call from both the State J-1 Office and the Battalion Commander asking me join.

My advice is do you homework, find out where you want to be, want to live, understand that you can change states in Guard with about four months of effort, and just decide what's best for you and your family. Good Luck!
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SFC Reserve Component Career Counselors (Rccc)
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The biggest difference between the ARNG and the USAR is the state vs. ferderal aspect. If you plan on remaining in one state for the foreseeable future them the Guard may be for you. If you think that you might end up moving around for job/school to other states then the Reserve may be the better option. When it comes to promotion, in my experience, the USAR has better opportunities. There are exceptions.

When you are out-processing you will be required to talk to a Transition NCO or Reserve Components Career Counselor (RCCC). Many Soldiers go in just to get their initials on the sheet. Actually talk to them. They can give you the complete run-down on what is available in your area upon ETS for both USAR and ARNG.

Don't feel like you must make a decision at that time. If you want to take some time after ETS, or you aren't seeing the position you want, you can transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) (inactive reserve). You will be contacted by an Army Reserve Career Counselor and they can facilitate a subsequent transfer to the USAR. It's very simple. Plus they can sometimes have a better idea of what is avaiable locally than the RCCC.
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MAJ Operations Officer (S3)
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I guess I'll present the dissenting opinion today. Having served in both organizations, I would recommend the National Guard. The National Guard typically has more funding, more equipment, and better infrastructure available.

There is some truth on the promotions piece. In the NG you are not promoted until you're in the paragraph and line number of the next grade. You're also confined to the MTOE and TDA positions within your state, rather than nationwide. You'll have to decide if it's worth driving to another state to pick up a rocker. Having driven 7 hours one way to drill for awhile, I can tell you that it's not worth it to me.

Another positive the NG offers is a much greater variety of jobs and positions available. The National Guard has everything from Finance to Special Forces to attack aviation. There's also CSTs and other mission specific units the USAR does not have. Comparatively, the USAR has a much shorter lists of MOSs available. In all fairness, the USAR does offer Psy Ops, Civil Affairs, and Drill Sergeant duty while the ARNG does not.

Finally, I think the biggest advantage the ARNG has is its force structure alignment. When USAR troops deploy it's typically as an individual augmentee or a small unit level. When the National Guard deploys, it's the entire BN or BCT. This means better missions, in my opinion, and having your own headquarters on the ground with you. Having been jerked around by some active component troops while overseas, I was glad I had my own field grade I could call when necessary.
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LTC Charles T Dalbec
LTC Charles T Dalbec
>1 y
And the ARNG is lower ranks and mostly Combat Arms!!
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What are my options by transitioning from Active Duty to National Guard or Reserves?
CW4 Brigade Maintenance Technician
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SGT (Join to see), most installations have reserve recruitors right on the installation. I bet your retention NCO has the POC info.
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SGT Intelligence Analyst
SGT (Join to see)
10 y
That'd be great if our unit had a retention NCO (or a career counselor for that matter), chief. I will look into a sister unit and see if they have one I can borrow. Thank you.
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Col Dana Morel
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I just ran down the answer to your question with Army Recruitment and Retention. Seems there is no program now for finishing your enlistment in the Reserve or Guard. There was a program in the past but it's no longer offered. You can "sign up for one or the other in advance" which sort of reserves a slot for you in the Reserve Component. But you still have to finish your term of enlistment with the Active Component first. Sorry!
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CW4 Information Systems Technician
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SGT Cole, an in-service recruiter will meet with you when you ETS to fully inform you of your options. I collected a SRIP bonus and when straight into the Ohio Guard when I came off of Active Duty. To the CSM's point, it can be difficult to find the right slot in the Guard, but inter-state transfers are possible; I have executed three of them thus far.
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SSG Buddy Kemper
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You may find a Reserve or National Guard liaison along your out-processing events Sarge. I did way back in mid 90s on my way out of Ft. Campbell and I hope that has not changed. If not I advise you find both Reserve AND NG recruiters near your home town or the place you intend to settle and see what opportunities that have for you. You may choose to reclass and sometimes they even have bonuses for certain jobs. You will find your active duty a great advantage as a Guardsman of Reservist and will be surprised how many other prior Active duty troops there and to tell you the truth many of the traditional Guard and Reserve guys/gals have numerous deployments so I think you, as I was, will be impressed on the whole by the dedication and professionalism. NOW....lastly, just like active duty....take every school you can, be willing to change units within your command for your next stripe, finish ALL PME as soon as possible and get your Bachelors degree. You are nutts if you don't take advantage of your Post-911 G.I. Bill....you even get BAQ, SO DO IT!!! There should be a VA type rep in the College Admissions who assists you with paperwork and may also be aware of other scholarships and grants for Vets. Go for it. Best wishes to you and thank you for serving our Country!!!
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Col Dana Morel
Col Dana Morel
10 y
Yes, yes, yes to everything he said!
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Col Dana Morel
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I was Reg AF and transitioned to the AFR. It was very helpful as it gave me more flexibility with balancing my civilian career. I could move between types of Reserve programs (traditional weekend duty, Individual Mobilization Augmentee, and even as a Technician). It also allowed me more opportunities to promote when I was ready and move around the US. Example is when I lived in Idaho, was assigned as an IMA to HQ AF yet pulled duty in ID supporting a HQ task. Another time I took a pause with the Reserve in order to focus on my career. And I took a pause from my civilian career to deploy and focus on my military career. It's a great program overall! Word of warning: do not fail to tell your out-processing folks that you intend to join the Reserve or Guard other so they can mark the right box on your forms. If not, you can end up with a break in service and lose any time / grade you have now. You don't have to be locked into actually participating/joining a unit on the day you out-process - it just puts you in a holding pattern (IRR) until you are unit assigned.
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Lt Col Systems Operations Manager
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Not sure what programs are available to the Army, but I know AD Air Force has Palace Chase and Palace Front programs that allows an individual to leave AD and finish their tour (if any left) in the Guard/Reserves. A retention office person should be able to direct you on your options. Good Luck.
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SSG Dale Wyatt
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It depends on what you want from your transition. National Guard is a dual role force, state and federal. The National Guard has AGR ( Active Guard Reserve) positions; you are active duty but with your guard unit. Same active duty retirement. Then you have the Federal Technician program where you have another career and retirement typically within your MOS or in which you qualify.
As for promotions, it's a crap shoot on your states unit breakdown, if you are willing to commute or move states, you can really plan out what is best for you. If reclass is an option, warrant officer corps, OCS.
I was National Guard and made E-6 in 8 years, with an E-7 position waiting for me. I was in an AVUM maintenance detachment my whole career.
I wish you luck and do all the research you can before you commit.
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SFC Reserve Component Career Counselors (Rccc)
SFC (Join to see)
10 y
USAR also has the AGR program.
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SSG Dale Wyatt
SSG Dale Wyatt
10 y
That is a very important thing for the Sergeant to weigh in his decision. Thank you for adding that to the discussion. I can not speak of the Reserve side of the house because I was National Guard.
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MSG Career Counselor
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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
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CPL(P) Civilian Driver
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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.
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MAJ John Adams
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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.
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LTC Charles T Dalbec
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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.
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SFC Bruce Scott
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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.
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SGT William Hutcheson
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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.
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1SG Scott MacGregor
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Be all you can be is the definition of the Army. That's all I wanted to be and the Army made me that.
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1SG Scott MacGregor
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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
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CPT Multifunctional Logistician
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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.
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SGT Randall .jay Gamble
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yes you can / you'll it
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