Posted on Mar 22, 2018
Can you transfer to active duty from National Guard while deployed to Iraq?
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I know this question or variations of it have been asked in the past but none as recent as 3 years ago that I could find. Any insight before I actually get to country would be helpful so I know what to expect or what I’m getting into trying to transfer.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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SGT Lee,
There are multiple variables to this. Stay with me brother, cause I'm going to take you on a roller coaster ride of answers or hypothetical scenarios. First, I'll use my own experience; I belonged to the 638th MI BN out of Lafayette, IN. I was chosen to attend the 91B course at Fort Sam....away I went. I got the bug, and I wanted to join AD. While I was in "student status", and belonged to the NG, no one would touch me or even start my paperwork. After graduation, the NG unit required me to serve 1 year in the slot (91B) I was assigned to. Now, all of this makes perfect sense because ANY unit has a number of bodies, all who fill said MOS's, and unless they are heavy....no ones going anywhere. Luckily....we got heavy and 1 year later I was discharged from the NG, and joined my new AD unit.
Now imagine your case, if I read this right, your slotted to go in country, serving in a slot that ensures the units MTOE is fulfilled. If you drop your papers before you deploy, that is your "in". 1 year brother, then you can transfer to AD with the Commanders approval.
However....
While deployed, and as I have done my share of being deployed and being lent out to any unit who was short. Length of service with any of these temporary assigned units while in country could be days, months, etc.
Given that I speak a couple Afghan Languages and was in charge of RC-East, as I traveled the damn country on my own, I literally commandeered vehicles, helicopters, and even hitched rides with other foreign (friendly) contingencies. (But) no matter how long I was gone, home is where I always ended up. My advice to you brother, take this deployment by the balls and make it your bitch! Enjoy it, do what you have to do to make it back, and remember....inquire about putting your packet in before you leave. If you do put your packet in, KEEP A DAMN COPY! HOOAH!
There are multiple variables to this. Stay with me brother, cause I'm going to take you on a roller coaster ride of answers or hypothetical scenarios. First, I'll use my own experience; I belonged to the 638th MI BN out of Lafayette, IN. I was chosen to attend the 91B course at Fort Sam....away I went. I got the bug, and I wanted to join AD. While I was in "student status", and belonged to the NG, no one would touch me or even start my paperwork. After graduation, the NG unit required me to serve 1 year in the slot (91B) I was assigned to. Now, all of this makes perfect sense because ANY unit has a number of bodies, all who fill said MOS's, and unless they are heavy....no ones going anywhere. Luckily....we got heavy and 1 year later I was discharged from the NG, and joined my new AD unit.
Now imagine your case, if I read this right, your slotted to go in country, serving in a slot that ensures the units MTOE is fulfilled. If you drop your papers before you deploy, that is your "in". 1 year brother, then you can transfer to AD with the Commanders approval.
However....
While deployed, and as I have done my share of being deployed and being lent out to any unit who was short. Length of service with any of these temporary assigned units while in country could be days, months, etc.
Given that I speak a couple Afghan Languages and was in charge of RC-East, as I traveled the damn country on my own, I literally commandeered vehicles, helicopters, and even hitched rides with other foreign (friendly) contingencies. (But) no matter how long I was gone, home is where I always ended up. My advice to you brother, take this deployment by the balls and make it your bitch! Enjoy it, do what you have to do to make it back, and remember....inquire about putting your packet in before you leave. If you do put your packet in, KEEP A DAMN COPY! HOOAH!
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SGT Lee Jamison
I had to reclass last year around this time to 91E to get my promotion as there were no available E5 91B slots and i was tired of waiting on one to open, so i am nearly at my year for that, and i will be returning to that unit upon completion of this tour, i'm only temporarily assigned to this unit for the deployment. I submitted my packet for a conditional release 2 days prior to being called for this mission which i had 9 days to get ready for before going to mob, the problem with that is the conditional release is only good for 60 days then it expires. I would have to resubmit when i get home, which isn't a problem i was just looking for a quicker way of going about it. I am actually slotted in a 12K E4 position on the MTOE but filling an E6 maintenance position. This is my second tour but my first to iraq, you can bet your ass i'm going to grab it by the balls and take it for everything it's worth. this is why we enlist, to go fight the good fight and come home to our families. thank you for your input, and when the time hits that packet will most definitely be dropped in the right hands.
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I seriously doubt that any kind of transition like this can be done while in country. You should direct this kind of question to your unit retention NCO just to make sure.
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SGT Lee Jamison
The problem there is I’ve been transferred to another unit specifically for this deployment, I don’t know the retention NCO or even the readiness NCO. I’ve met only a few people so far. But I will be on the hunt for them.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
That does make it a little annoying but everyone that is above you should know where exactly to point you to. It may not be something instantaneous, but you should be able to find the right guy or gal to talk to within a week or so of setting boots on ground.
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SGT Eric Davis
@sgt lee how long before you deploy and where are is your MOB station? Sometime they let your transfer
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I’m sure you could draw up the paperwork similar to a re enlistment but it wouldn’t go into effect until after the deployment. I’m not 100% just using the two cents I was issued. But definitely ask your retention NCO.
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SGT Lee Jamison
I had heard of something similar a few years ago, that you do the paperwork in country and when you return home you swear in on the active side and go through the process. But when I was in Kuwait in 15-16 it was not an option, though I know the army changes on a daily basis. Thank you.
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