What is the current time frame of a DD 368 being approved/denied?

Jenna James — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:24:34 -0400

Anyone currently going through the process or recently went through it? My husband was previously active army for 3 1/2 years and was being offered early ETS. Wanted to see what the Civilan life had to offer. Soon after he got out he enlisted in army reserves for 6 years to continue our benefits (insurance, free school, etc.). He is 2 1/2 years into his reserves contract and ready to go back active. Civilian life hasn't offered any good job opportunities that can match the lifestyle and job security as the army does. So he has submitted his dd 368 form/packet, commander over his reserves unit is signing it this weekend. We know time frames can very with each person, just wondering what your experience has been and how long it took. Thank you!

Response by SSG Brian G. made Apr 5 at 2018 1:32 PM

SSG Brian G. — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:32:07 -0400

Once upon a time I was a reservist. Went into the reserves while in HS. In my experience there was no delay. He has overcome the hurdle that matters and that is his Reserve component commander signing off on the endeavor. Past that it is a simple matter of the packet working its way up the chain. Mine took maybe a month? Maybe. The thing that helped me was that I sought out my AD recruiter first, he got the ball rolling and once I had to he RC component signature I went on to MEPS again. It was more formality than anything.

My suggestion would be to go through an AD recruiter, otherwise the wait could be longer.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2018 1:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:55:28 -0400

Well first, his immediate commander is signing off that he is okay with the transfer, but the actual authority comes from his higher command to release him. So first the paper work has to go up the chain, some units process this quickly others seem in no hurry. I think the release may have to come from the first full Colonel in his command but I could be wrong and it may have to go up to a 1 star depends on the unit and the rank structure. If there are no problems and they release him it could be a few weeks to a month depending on how fast the paper work gets processed. If he is using a recruiter they can help spend things up, since they usually know the right people in that process.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2018 1:56 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:56:39 -0400

Depends on the command, but a good estimate is 3-5 months.
Approvals of the 368 needs to happen at each echelon from company to first General Officer, and that takes a while.
Then the discharge from the Reserve needs to happen after he's enlisted in the Regular Army. That takes less time, but 30 days is typical.

Response by Jenna James made Apr 5 at 2018 2:06 PM

Jenna James — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 14:06:14 -0400

Side note: recruiter said that they aren't accepting his MOS and that he would have to reclass, which isn't an issue but we are hoping that won't cause any harm in getting it approved.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2018 4:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 16:04:19 -0400

Following thread for any others currently undergoing this process. Helpful if anyone else under 3MCDS. I too am awaiting 368 approval from CG, request packet was sent to division last week in ePat. My understanding is that it will take months to make the climb. From my experience a whole packet (4187, recommendation memos, DD4, etc) needed to be submitted along with the DD 368 requested by the recruiter in order to support the request for release. Your unit UA should aleady have this information, but mine was chronically unavailable and I hit up my local RSC for help. I built the packet myself and after 4 months at the unit level it was finally entered into ePat (hopefully others will never have to endure the amount of "it's not my job" that I had to up to this point.) The release is good for 6 months from approval, just make sure that your plans afterward are in alignment within that time period. Keep in touch with your S-1/UA to check on status at least every other week.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2018 3:09 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 03:09:45 -0400

Mine has been out for over 4 months and still counting ... good luck