What are the pros or cons of switching from National Guard to Active Duty and changing my MOS (from 11B to 56M or 68W)?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 18:47:15 -0400

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Apr 8 at 2017 7:06 PM

SSG Steven Borders — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 19:06:54 -0400

One of my good friends was a 56M and loved every minute of it and she made SGT in no time. She was always busy organizing Marriage retreats and Single Soldier retreats.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2017 7:15 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 19:15:02 -0400

Corporal, I'm a 68W. From what I've gathered speaking to soldiers, there's little difference in the physicality and combat involvement of being infantry vs. 68W. Medics run with the infantry. We trained with an infantry DS in my BCT platoon who stressed that we need to keep up and then some with the infantry. Almost every medic I have met, whose been to a field unit with infantry, prefers it over working at a hospital. This is due to the 'top-heavy' environment and very political atmosphere. Also PT is not as intense as patient care is a priority. A lot of people failed their PT test in my department because of it. also the hospital 'soldiering' atmosphere as is very relaxed and often criticized for lack of discipline and military bearing. The Pros of the hospital though is the experience you get and training with various medical practitioners - if your lucky. I say that because their primary duties are demanding and training can sparse depending on your department. Yet that alone is a big gamble as your involvement varies by the hospital departments SOP. If there is something specific that you'd like to know about 68W, just PM me. Hope this gives some clarification into our MOS.

Response by SSG Kenneth Randolph made Apr 8 at 2017 11:50 PM

SSG Kenneth Randolph — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 23:50:59 -0400

Based on my personal experience, you have to prepare yourself mentally and physically. I served 12 years on active duty and 8 years in the National Guard before retirement. It was truly an eye opener. Serving part-time in the National Guard is totally different from full-time active duty. The opportunities to succeed as a full-time soldier is much greater. The atmosphere working with a team with the same mindset is an awesome experience. Building unit spirit will motivate you and fellow comrades to accomplish every mission that's presented. On active duty, you will enhance your knowledge and ability as a soldier. You will enhance your overall health by conducting physical training on M-F. If you're assigned to a deployment unit, you might even conduct PT on Saturdays. You will develop your skills as a soldier by attending technical, tactical, and professional training classes. In addition, you will travel more. Possibly serve over seas in a foreign country. Civilian education is available at a local college or online. You will receive excellent benefits relating to health, dental, life insurance, and many other essential benefits. Married couples receive additional benefits involving housing, BAQ, and other essential benefits. The military is about opportunities. If you decide to select active duty, I wish you much success serving as a soldier for the US Army.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2017 12:12 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 00:12:18 -0400

I re-classed from 11B, to 68R. Overall the quality of life is better. Your body takes a beating in the Infantry. At some point your will leave the Army. You need consider that. If you love it still and do not mind then continue. Look at your situation and weight the options that will benefit you and support serving.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2017 8:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 20:36:11 -0400

Right now the bisiness rules for prior service are the best ive seen em in a while, job choice wise. The nice thing about active duty is depending on your job the potential for promotion is quicker. Toull be full time so you wont have to supplement with a civi job. If you like the military part of being in the military you should enjoy active duty. Worst case scenario you get out in 4 yrs and use all the benefits to your advantage to include a year worth of ACAP helping you transition for success

Response by SPC Justin Clough made Apr 10 at 2017 9:10 AM

SPC Justin Clough — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 09:10:44 -0400

You wont get a non combat mos pros and cons depend on the person

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 11:44 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 11:44:56 -0400

SPC (P) 68W. I would personally say that if you're looking to switch to medical, laboratory technician or LVN (68C) is the way to go. It's much easier to get a job on the outside with those MOS as opposed to being a medic and only having an EMT-B license. The end game should be preparing yourself for life after retirement/ETS, so you'd want to invest in something that you could make a career out of.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Apr 11 at 2017 12:08 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 12:08:19 -0400

The biggest con is that most NG Soldiers wanting to go active duty think it is an easy process until they try to get a DD368 approved for conditional release. A common misconception is that a company or Bn commander is the approving authority. In most states, it is the state Adjutant General. Be prepared for a long wait with no answers. The second biggest is con is if your release is approved, then your options are limited to the HRC Prior Service business rules, which are basically a short list of high priority "needs of the Army" MOS's for your pay grade. If your current MOS is one of those, that may be your only option.

Response by SSG William Ward made Apr 12 at 2017 4:24 AM

SSG William Ward — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 04:24:20 -0400

If you switch to 56m be prepared for your faith to be tested, because you will see a lot of things you won't forget if deployed and if you switch to 68w be prepared for a lot of paperwork

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2017 11:07 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 11:07:08 -0400

Don't leave the guard

Response by SSG Jane Doe made Apr 23 at 2017 10:10 PM

SSG Jane Doe — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 22:10:46 -0400

56M can be a wonderful MOS however it has a very narrow promotion pyramid. After SSG you literally have to wait for someone to retire for there to be any chance of promotion...so I guess it depends on your goals

Response by CPL Glen Lippincott made May 18 at 2017 4:59 PM

CPL Glen Lippincott — Thu, 18 May 2017 16:59:25 -0400

VA bnefits afterwards

Response by CPL Sharon Fahey made Jul 8 at 2017 1:01 AM

CPL Sharon Fahey — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 01:01:02 -0400

You get more experience on active duty than in the guard. More opportunities, higher advancement. No good ole boy problem's. Active duty your a soldier 24/7, unlike the guard, higher standards, more expectations.

Response by PFC Breon Johnson made Oct 2 at 2017 11:20 PM

PFC Breon Johnson — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 23:20:37 -0400

Thinking of going 56m active duty..

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Apr 19 at 2022 8:16 PM

SGT Ruben Lozada — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 20:16:52 -0400

I do know there's a big difference between active duty and national guard or reserves.
I recall being active duty for four years in the Army then did four years inactive reserves. I found out quickly that it was a totally different world. I went from 11B on active to changing MOS to 92S. And, I was in mostly a 68W reserve unit. It's true that We had medics when We deployed on active duty as well.