Posted on Mar 11, 2021
PFC Field Artillery Firefinder Radar Operator
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Hey i am currently enlisted in army gaurd and am wanting to go active duty. Is it worth trying to switch or should i wait until my current contract ends? Also i enlisted with a bonus, is that lost if i switch before my contract is comple?
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Responses: 4
SFC Steven Borders
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Look under Army Regulation 601–280 Chapter 5. Also contact your retention NCO as well. I currently have a soldier now wanting to go Active from Reserves and his packet is going to take a long time average time 6 months or more.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
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Edited >1 y ago
Jesus. this question gets asked about twice a week. First, you need to find a recruiter that will deal with you. He will fill out and give you a DD Form 368 Conditional Release to give to your COC. It then must go up the Chain to the First General in the Chain, or his designated representative. He can approve or disapprove, there is no requirement to release you from your contract. How likely depends on how much of your contract is left, is the State shorthanded, are you a hard to replace MOS, and how much the Guard has spend on you. I'm out of date these days, but when I was CO and S1, I can't remember anyone getting released unless they had served over half their enlistment. 90 days would be considered a lightning fast turnaround on a Release.
Not only will your bonus be lost, but depending on how much time you have already served, you may be required to pay back part of it.
And Guard is spelled G U A R D.
IMO, if you are within 14 months or so of your ETS, it's probably a waste of time.
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SFC Retired
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Honestly, it will depend on how badly the Army wants you and how badly the NG wants to keep you. If everyone agrees this is best for them (you really don't play into this equation, just your MOS) it will still take a considerable amount of time. It can't hurt to talk to your retention NCO, either way.
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