Posted on Nov 20, 2016
Why is it difficult for Reserves and National Guard to go active duty?
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There are several reasons. The first is retention. The Reserve Components want to retain their troops and risk losing them if they go on tour or 'go active.' It is tough to recruit 'part-time' troops. So, once recruited, the focus is retention.
The second is social. For a long time, Reserve Components were treated by the Active Component as the 'great unwashed.' The AC would call on the RC during times of conflict or stretched resources with an expectation that we would 'go back to where we belong' after they were done with us. Once a troop transitions from active duty to RC, they are treated differently from those who remain their entire career on active duty.
The third is legal. There are regulations on the number of days an RC trooper can spend assigned on Active Duty (Mobilized, ADOS, COTTAD, AT, etc.) whereas there is no limitation on how long an AC troop can remain assigned or attached to RC units. Granted, there are few opportunities for AC troops to be assigned/attached to Drilling Reserve Units.
Finally, there is the bureaucracy. The policies make it so difficult to gain permission, find the right tour/slot and actually transition from RC to AC, it is easier to just quit all together. Many want to serve full-time but are unable to find the right fit. So, they struggle in a part-time status, balancing work, family, military, education and social life and often find it easier to just return to civilian life. My recommendation continues to be that every member of the AC should come from the RC and all Military and Civilian Education requirements would be fulfilled while a member of the RC. Instead of a two year RC course and a 6 month AC course, there should be many two year RC courses and everyone attends. The AC join the RC units in a full-time status or attend college or obtain civilian employment during course attendance, then return. Also, every assignment and promotion should be made regardless of component. If an RC troop is selected for promotion to an AC position, then they should be provided the option to serve on active duty. We are one force, despite how they treat the RC and AC differently.
The second is social. For a long time, Reserve Components were treated by the Active Component as the 'great unwashed.' The AC would call on the RC during times of conflict or stretched resources with an expectation that we would 'go back to where we belong' after they were done with us. Once a troop transitions from active duty to RC, they are treated differently from those who remain their entire career on active duty.
The third is legal. There are regulations on the number of days an RC trooper can spend assigned on Active Duty (Mobilized, ADOS, COTTAD, AT, etc.) whereas there is no limitation on how long an AC troop can remain assigned or attached to RC units. Granted, there are few opportunities for AC troops to be assigned/attached to Drilling Reserve Units.
Finally, there is the bureaucracy. The policies make it so difficult to gain permission, find the right tour/slot and actually transition from RC to AC, it is easier to just quit all together. Many want to serve full-time but are unable to find the right fit. So, they struggle in a part-time status, balancing work, family, military, education and social life and often find it easier to just return to civilian life. My recommendation continues to be that every member of the AC should come from the RC and all Military and Civilian Education requirements would be fulfilled while a member of the RC. Instead of a two year RC course and a 6 month AC course, there should be many two year RC courses and everyone attends. The AC join the RC units in a full-time status or attend college or obtain civilian employment during course attendance, then return. Also, every assignment and promotion should be made regardless of component. If an RC troop is selected for promotion to an AC position, then they should be provided the option to serve on active duty. We are one force, despite how they treat the RC and AC differently.
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It depends on the time and the needs of the Army. Right now the AD is full up with recruits, wait a year or two and I'm thinking they'll be recruiting again.
It's very, very difficult if you are in the NG, not so much in the RC as the dollars are all federal, so your State doesn't loose the money they spent on your training.
It's very, very difficult if you are in the NG, not so much in the RC as the dollars are all federal, so your State doesn't loose the money they spent on your training.
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SSG (Join to see)
No disrespect Sir, but it isn't very difficult at all to get an AD hitch whether NG or USAR. Also the money I agree is an issue but it does all come from Big Army, It just depends on the needs of the mission. I was selected as NCOIC of a 4 PAX to deploy to Kuwait to support GO3 Webster in 2010-11, and we were ALNG. If the soldier is looking to go straight AD from NG or the Reserve, I only have one statement which I know because I have seen me do it! I was a SPC with the Reserve back in 1989 and had to reduce back to an E-2, as it was the rank I wore while on Title 10 in basic and AIT. I still had the TIS, just didn't keep the TIG.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Deploying isn't going AD. The states burden some of the cost to train a Soldier as a result you need a release from your State if you are NG. Army reserves you just need your chain of command release which is much easier to get then a State (normally TAG signature) During drawdowns it's very hard to go from RC to AD. During manpower increases it is very easy. Right now it's hard, wait a few months and that is likely to change. If you are nearing the end of your ETS it becomes very easy to go AD.
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OK, I have been out of service since 1987 but let me give you some quick advice on rank. If someone wrote their rank as PFC(P) in the Regular Army the person would be humiliated and ridiculed publicly. Maybe times have changed but just a tip for you if your really trying to go Active Duty you might think it is funny thing to do in the USAR but your going to be a real target if you do that on Active Duty in some units........based on my long ago past experience.
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SSG (Join to see)
In the Guard when you see (P), it's usually administrative meaning they are promotable. They are sometimes sitting in a higher slot than their current rank.
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