What is the process to switch from National Guard to active duty?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 08:21:31 -0500

I am planning to start the switch from gaurd to active in a few months, is the process very difficult or is it easy?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2020 8:29 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 08:29:16 -0500

It's a relatively simple process, go and talk to an active duty recruiter, they will be able to give you a DD-368 (conditional release) pass that up through your CoC. IF it comes back approved you can go back to your recruiter and complete the enlistment process, I believe the form is valid for 90 days following the final signature and then the process resets. Depending on your state you may or may not get approval. If you are close to your ETS date it is usually easier to just ride out your contract and then go see the recruiter to initiate a prior-service enlistment.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2020 8:46 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 08:46:54 -0500

Your AC recruiter signs a DD 368, that needs to be approved by your state G1. That step could take 3-6 months. Once approved, you have 180 days to get a contract signed and send a copy to state G1. That AC contract could take 2-4 months to complete.
Then you also send state G1 your assignment orders after that.
If you are less than 12 months from ETS, then just ETS and enlist AC.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2020 8:58 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 08:58:14 -0500

I got my 638 signed to go from the Guard to the Reserve in a week but I had a very short chain of command (I also walked it through as a Field Grade Officer). How long it takes depends on how many layers are between you and the state HQ and how responsive your Chain of Command is.

Good Luck

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jan 23 at 2020 10:36 AM

SSG Brian G. — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 10:36:43 -0500

Process is simple, if long.
You talk your COC first, convince them of your wish to go AD.
Then go talk to an AD recruiter and he/she will fill out the necessary paperwork. The competent ones will have all that faxed to your NG command.
Waiting for a response could take a bit. IF you can and if you know the command steps, you can expedite this by hand walking it all the way through. Once it is signed off on, go back to your AD recruiter and you are then free to reenlist AD and carry on with your career.

It can take as little as a week or as long as... six plus months. It really depends on how many layers there are and how convoluted things are. Some are reluctant to release but ultimately do so.

Response by SPC Nancy Summers made Jan 23 at 2020 11:34 AM

SPC Nancy Summers — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 11:34:44 -0500

I had an extremely easy process back in 1989. I have no idea what the current process is, but just go up your chain of command.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2020 3:39 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 15:39:35 -0500

I just completed this process. As others above have stated, you start by getting a signed DD368 from an active duty recruiter. I submitted that along with a memorandum stating the reason I wanted to switch to active duty to my unit S1. From there, you wait. I submitted my 368 in April and it was approved by the CG in late November. I took the approved 368 to my recruiter, went through the enlistment process, and reported to my duty station directly from MEPS 2 weeks ago. It was a long wait for me, but well worth it. Good luck!