Posted on Apr 1, 2018
Can I transfer from reserves to active duty easily?
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I am looking to join the reserves right now. I have heard that it is difficult to transfer from reserves to active duty, and I may lose bonuses to be classified as "prior service" is this the case? I'm potentially looking to become an officer when I finish college (I'm a college sophomore) but I want to start my military career now and finish my degree on time.
Posted in these groups: 
Reserves
Prior Service
Reserves Prior Service
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 7
I would recommend trying to get into ROTC. I know you need at least 2yrs left, but it’s worth it
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SPC Ted Ronayne
Yeah I know I would, so I'd probably end up biting a bullet there. But I've heard of split training so that might help. I may very well have enough time over two summers to take ait and basic separately and not miss school. I'm not sure how that would affect weekend drill and bonuses though.
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SMSgt Thor Merich
ROTC is the way to go. I know several folks who have gone that route. It’s a great program that too many folks don’t take advantage of.
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SPC Ted Ronayne
I'll give it a look see. The only thing is I'd love to be trained and start doing my job now (I was looking at the army back in high school but it got pushed off because I was obese) and I'd take pride in being a reservist with the potential to immediately serve my country at any moment. I'll give it a look, but I suppose I'm approaching it with a "bird in the hand is worth two in the bush analogy"
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SPC Ted Ronayne
Of course though, I'm trying to avoid a "yes kid you have that bird in your hand but those two in the bush aren't in your contract so I can't help you" kind of situation.
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Good responses, I agree it is generally difficult. I finished my career as an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) in a Reserve unit and reviewed all transfer requests to active duty. Don't ask why JAG is doing G1's job, that's another story. Our Commanding General wouldn't approve transfers to the active duty of a Soldier was on his first enlistment. His thought was the Reserves just spent a lot of money to train you and that he wasn't going to simply give you over to the active duty side. It's a pot of money issue as well as the need for Soldiers. Some Reserve units are hard to fill so commands don't like to give up easily. Sometimes they look at you and say you signed a contract for the Reserves so you need to keep your commitment. I know there are good reasons for wanting to transfer to active duty but part of it depends on the command you are in and what is the intent of the commander. I went from active duty to the Reserves and then wanted to go back active but they weren't taking my rank or MOS at the time and then someone suggested going AGR. That turned out to be a great career move for me. I hope things work out for you.
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SPC Ted Ronayne
I'll have to take a look but that might extend my time in school. I've been told an enlisted mos in the reserves can take two years off ROTC, I'll have to look
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