What are the steps to switch from National Guard to Active Duty while keeping your MOS?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 21:33:08 -0400

My husband is in the process of enlisting active duty. I am strongly considering trying to transfer from the Alabama National Guard to active duty. I am currently a 68W with no deployments. I have found alot of info online about the process of switching from guard to active but not much on keeping your MOS. Does anyone know the steps to do that. Also does anyone have any advice on military marriages?

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Jun 18 at 2018 9:51 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 21:51:18 -0400

Yes to active duty income, a stable place to live and retirement!

Get your recruiter to do a conditional release with your unit DD FORM 368 and get your command to sign off!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2018 4:04 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 04:04:19 -0400

At the MEPS they decide based on the needs of the Army. That being said, it's always cheaper and easier to keep you in your old MOS if there's a need.

Response by CPL Chris Palmberg made Jun 19 at 2018 2:10 PM

CPL Chris Palmberg — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 14:10:47 -0400

The simple answer is that 68W is likely still a "critical shortage." I'm relatively certain that unless your last name is Mengele, you'll have a hard time enlisting as anything else.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2018 2:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 14:27:21 -0400

Keeping your MOS will depend on the IN/OUT call for your MOS. As of 15 May 18, you should be good.

Likelihood of getting released by the state depends on how far into your contract you are and how far out of training you are. We've got a guy in our unit that has been waiting for his DD368 for going on 6 months.

Response by Norah Julmis made Jun 19 at 2018 4:03 PM

Norah Julmis — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 16:03:29 -0400

I've read posts from spouses saying there is some type of program you need to sign up for. I would ask around or join one of your local bases' spouse Facebook pages. There are quite a few dual military families. I've copied this from another website:

Each of the services have an assignment program called "JOIN SPOUSE." Basically, under this program, the military will try as hard as they can to station military spouses at the same base or within 100 miles of each other. Note there is no guarantee -- the military just agrees to try. The services will not create a new slot for JOIN SPOUSE. There has to be an existing slot in the rank/job that the member(s) can be assigned against.

Response by SPC Jamee Smyth made Jun 19 at 2018 7:55 PM

SPC Jamee Smyth — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 19:55:37 -0400

I know sometimes these guys can't be trust with much but have you thought of starting with a Reg Army Recruiter?? You would think they would know the steps.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2018 11:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 23:27:35 -0400

Done this 2 times. It worked out for me due to my guard unit was over strengthened in my mos. 1st I would recommend seeing an active duty recruiter and they will create a condition release form for you husband to submit up the COC then once its approved he has 90 days to enlist into active duty and he will go thru the whole MEPS process again and the they will assign him and cut order to his duty station from there. At least that was the method back in 2003 and in 2008. Hope this helps.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2018 5:26 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 05:26:05 -0400

You should be able to keep your MOS when you switch to active. But you may loss rank because national Guard promote differently then active.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2018 7:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 07:38:24 -0400

It’s all dependent on a few things if you can switch to active duty and stay a medic

1. Will your unit release you
2. Is the active component taking prior service
3. If they are is 68W one of the MOS they are trying to fill, if not you’ll be allowed to choose from the MOS that they are trying to fill

So in closing I’d say go see a recruiter and ask

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 5:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 17:44:14 -0400

As a reserve 68W, we have transitioned to using swank health for CEU's.