Posted on Aug 22, 2021
As a National Guard officer, is one allowed to switch over to the Army Reserves before completing the initial 6 year commitment?
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Army Reserve Career Counselor
Career CounselorConnecticut ARNG
Career Advice
Guard Army Reserve Career Counselor Career CounselorConnecticut ARNG Career Advice
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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Technically no. There is no “transfer” that happens. You must be released from your current contract with the condition that you join another branch. This is called a conditional release and is completed with a DD 368.
How you became an officer will have a lot to do with whether it gets approved. If you received any ROTC or minuteman scholarship, it probably won’t happen. Other factors also come into play. Ultimately it’s the decision of the TAG.
I’m curious as to why you want to switch though. What is it you think the reserve offers that the NG doesn’t?
How you became an officer will have a lot to do with whether it gets approved. If you received any ROTC or minuteman scholarship, it probably won’t happen. Other factors also come into play. Ultimately it’s the decision of the TAG.
I’m curious as to why you want to switch though. What is it you think the reserve offers that the NG doesn’t?
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CPT (Join to see)
MSG (Join to see) That answers a lot of my questions. My main reason for wanting to switch over to the reserves and a the training opportunities available. In my guard state the training opportunities available are few due to poor funding. Also, I’ve submitted packets on the Mobcop site and have been selected for 2 tours in the past. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to go because my state wouldn’t release me. I was told had I been in the reserves I would’ve not had any difficulties with this matter.
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CW2 (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) - I’ve had Soldiers from the NG be accepted for temporary transfer for MOBCOP opportunities (JAG officers deploying specifically). As SFC Antonio states, there are factors which may complicate matters but as I stated in my post, I have seen transfers be approved from NG to USAR and vice-versa. It doesn’t hurt to put in your request and ask. They’ll let you know the “consequences” so to speak or reasoning behind denial and you can make an informed decision or decide that the best way to move forward is to change your mindset and stay put til’ you can switch over.
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MSG (Join to see)
Yeah, that’s definitely too bad, unfortunately toxic commands are still abundant both here and the USAR and it takes good leadership to fully develop a soldier. If your command won’t even release you for a tour, they definitely won’t want to release you on a 368. They can only recommend disapproval, but they can write a convincing argument. I would definitely find a way to speak to someone neutral first, someone in the TAG’s office maybe, so they can plead your case about the release. If possible, try to get some face time with the actual TAG and tell him your plans and why. Who knows, they might even fix your problem without needing to leave. CPT (Join to see)
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Possible yes. Depends on if your command will release you from the unit to transfer to the reserves. As the SFC said if you have any benefits or scholarships as part of your contract with the national guard then that can complicate things since you signed a contract for those benefits and the guard paid them and you belong to them. Speak with a recruiter and your command to let them know you want to transfer and why and they can start the process if they agree to release you.
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National Guard officers have a Reserve commission in the parent service. That is how Bush 43 became the first USAF officer to be POTUS, Reagan was USAAF after he transferred from the cavalry.
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