Posted on Nov 17, 2019
If moving out of state is a possibility in the future, would the Army Reserves or National Guard be easier to transfer to another state?
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Looking to join one or the other. Which is the better option should someone need to relocate down the road? All of my wife’s family lives in California and she’s worried about getting stuck drilling at one location if you had to move someday.
Army Reserve Elements
Transfer
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 7
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It's somewhat easier in the Reserves since you are controlled by a central authority. It's really not that big of a pain in the butt in the Guard and there is an Interstate Transfer specialist at every state headquarters to help you out with those transfers. I would base my decision on which type of unit will allow you to chose the Military Occupational Specialty that you want to try. Army National Guards are oriented towards Combat Arms, so if you want Infantry, Armor or Artillery, then the Guard is your best choice. If you are more interested in one of the Support or Combat Support jobs, like MP, the Reserve would work. Advancement in rank is generally faster in Combat Arms units up through E6 Staff Sergeant. However, since you can take positions easier outside of your location easier in the Reserves, the upper ranks or promotion in MOS's that aren't very large is probably better in the Reserves.
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Bobby Maddox
Yeah it’s a real toss up. The pros and cons of each really seem to balance out. Hard to make a choice.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Bobby Maddox Which is why I would make my job selection dictate the choice. Talk to both recruiters about what they have available that your ASVAB score and physical will allow you to try and go with the one that interests you the most. Be aware that if you have a real high score, the recruiter will push you toward his hard to fill slots. Don't take it if it isn't what you want.
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Based off of personal experience and what I’ve witnessed from friends in the NG (all different states), I’d say Reserves. My transfer took two weeks from submitting my paperwork to my orders being cut. My friends averaged a year to two years since it’s up to the state to release you. Ultimately everyone’s experience will differ but I can confidently say the Reserves offer quite a bit more flexibility.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
I've heard these nightmare stories of long delays in IST in the Guard, but never witnessed it, or at least by anyone that had any clue of the process. I never missed a drill period on my last one and I branch transferred on the last one. There is absolutely no reason for the process to take that long if you follow the correct path. That path is to inform you chain of command that you are moving out of state, and that means sitting down with your Commander, PL and Ist Sgt. and Readiness NCO, not telling your squad leader. The Commander will have the Readiness NCO (who should do this without instructions BTW) see if the soldier is eligible to Transfer, which means not flags, medical issues, or pending UCMJ. Then the soldier's file goes to the IST Coordinator at the State Headquarters, who's job it is to find a vacancy in the gaining state. From there it's the same as the Reserves, is there a slot available in your MOS and at your Rank. In my case, they asked me if I would be willing to Branch transfer because they had slots for Engineer Officers but not of a Senior Infantry LT at the time and I agreed. This process can be sped up if the soldier already has the information about slots and units from the recruiter or IST in the gaining state. Then the IST sends you a NBG22 and you swear in to the new State.
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It really comes down to availability. Is there a spot available for her to fill.
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