Posted on Mar 20, 2023
LTC Battalion Commander
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A friend brought this up in discussion. Is it possible to move from the Guard to Reserves as a senior 05? Can you pick up an 06 slot that way or would you be seen in a bad light? I’m happy in the Guard but a friend is ready to try to pull the trigger. Interested in thoughts on this.
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COL Randall C.
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Ignore the "seen in a bad light" - not really an issue.

Your biggest problem will be finding an O6 slot. I've known many promotable O5s in the Guard that were stuck at O5 because there wasn't a position in the state for them and they were in the "someone has to die or retire" situation. It's POSSIBLE, but not likely as there are O5s in the USAR looking for them. You'll have to be just the right unicorn to get one

From HRC - All O6 and above positions in the USAR are nominative positions. This means that you will have to interview for the position and the commander can just say "No" without any other reason.

One thing to keep in mind. If you're DA Select for O6 and have already met your TIG requirements, as soon as you go into the IRR (to transfer to the USAR from the ARNG, the process is you are transferred to the IRR and then from there to a USAR position) you'll be promoted to O6.

If you've been DA Select, then LTC(P)s in the IRR and USAR are handled by the Senior Leader Development Office* at HRC. Reach out to them about vacancies in the USAR. One thing - IF you were able to find one that would take you, you'll likely be hitting the airlines every month.
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* HRC SLDO for RC - https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/ar-sldo (required CAC login)
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LTC Trent Klug
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Yes, it's possible. I've known two LTC's who've done it.
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LTC Stephen C.
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I've been retired since MAY98, so I'm not altogether sure that my information is still what might happen, LTC (Join to see). However, I knew a number of O-6s that were in the Selected Reserve and were Individual Mobilization Augmentees. Apparently the program is still viable.
Here's the link: https://www.usar.army.mil/IMA/
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LTC Self Employed
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Yes, that's great as well. I knew people who were picked up that were in the irr that could get missions.
In 2018 I went on 65 days active duty and ran into a few Ima people. LTC Stephen C. LTC Trent Klug LTC (Join to see)
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