Is it possible to move from the Guard to Reserves as a senior O-5? Can you pick up an O-6 slot that way or would you be seen in a bad light?

2023-03-20T22:22:43-04:00

A friend brought this up in discussion. Is it possible to move from the Guard to Reserves as a senior 05? Can you pick up an 06 slot that way or would you be seen in a bad light? I’m happy in the Guard but a friend is ready to try to pull the trigger. Interested in thoughts on this.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2023 10:49 PM

2023-03-20T22:49:06-04:00

I am not exactly sure on this one?

I went from the National Guard to the Army Reserve as a captain. I was in the irr and I had left the Idaho National Guard after going to Iraq. The accident general of the state of Idaho had no problem releasing me because originally I was from the California guard. I asked to go into the irr so I could pick up my Captain.

I belong to a one-star command, the 364th expeditionary support command in marysville, Washington.

At the one star Logistics level, a G4 and the SPO were 06 slots that we're not AGR. We had an AGR G3.

I transferred from a regional support group Brigade as an S3 and I went to become a civil Affairs officer in the G3 section and they allowed me to go one over my pay grade so the Civil Affairs position which was open to Majors but also to Lieutenant colonels. Same thing applies to the plans team in the same G3 shop.

I am sure quite a few officers retired like me or got out because they were forced out because they wouldn't get the covid-19 vaccine so I'm sure there are plenty of 05 slots available for you.

Believe it or not, being at the Uso I ran into the G4 of my gaining unit and he gave me the phone number to the G3 and I spoke to him on the phone 4 years ago and he told me to send the last three officer evaluation reports and he gave me a couple choices.

I'm sure the easy part will be getting the positions at the higher command levels but the tricky part will be having your state release you. Your AG or your Battalion or Brigade Commander may not sign off on your release to the irr so you can get picked up by the Army Reserve.

There's a lot less politics in the Army Reserve.

The good thing about being in the Army Reserve is that you could get up to $500 reimbursement for travel. I know tickets are more expensive now but some of it is forgotten country. Our one-star general came all the way from Florida to serve for drill weekends in marysville, Washington. We had officers as far away as District of Columbia come to my Army reserve unit when I was with a training command in Garden Grove, california. You will get lodging in kind.

One thing that I noticed is that everybody who I knew over the years who was in civil affairs, combat arms or whatever eventually went Logistics because the logistics units were the places that actually had the most positions. You could switch and get a branch transfer to Logistics.

When I was in civil affairs as a captain, my company Commander, a major, was ranger, Airborne and Air Assault. Later as an OC/T Major, I found out that my former company Commander, now a lieutenant colonel, had just left a logistics Regional support group. He was the executive officer. He had switched to Logistics.

As you know in the Army reserve, we have some military police, we have logistics, civil affairs and medical. There is only one combat arms infantry unit in the Army Reserve which is located in Hawaii.

Hopefully you can get some leads to places you can go and interview. I really feel that this stupid President Biden covid mandate took away three divisions worth of Army Reserve and National Guard Personnel so you could probably write your own ticket but then again they may not release you either.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Mar 20 at 2023 11:12 PM

2023-03-20T23:12:48-04:00

I've been retired since MAY98, so I'm not altogether sure that my information is still what might happen, LTC Private RallyPoint Member. However, I knew a number of O-6s that were in the Selected Reserve and were Individual Mobilization Augmentees. Apparently the program is still viable.
Here's the link: https://www.usar.army.mil/IMA/

IMA Page

Official site of the U.S. Army Reserve, the federal military reserve forces of the United States.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Mar 20 at 2023 11:16 PM

2023-03-20T23:16:44-04:00

Yes, it's possible. I've known two LTC's who've done it.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Mar 21 at 2023 7:20 AM

2023-03-21T07:20:53-04:00

If you can get an O6 position, go for it. No one should look at you in a bad way. If they do, they are a toxic leader who does not care about your career. I knew several LTCs in my last unit that transferred from the National Guard to get LTC. At least one was promoted to O6 after the transfer. You have to do what's best for you because as they say, you are your best career manager.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2023 8:09 AM

2023-03-21T08:09:18-04:00

I worked with a guy who made the move as an O5 specifically to make O6 in a branch he had not worked in since he was an O2, and he made O6.

Response by COL Randall C. made Mar 21 at 2023 8:39 AM

2023-03-21T08:39:07-04:00

Ignore the "seen in a bad light" - not really an issue.

Your biggest problem will be finding an O6 slot. I've known many promotable O5s in the Guard that were stuck at O5 because there wasn't a position in the state for them and they were in the "someone has to die or retire" situation. It's POSSIBLE, but not likely as there are O5s in the USAR looking for them. You'll have to be just the right unicorn to get one

From HRC - All O6 and above positions in the USAR are nominative positions. This means that you will have to interview for the position and the commander can just say "No" without any other reason.

One thing to keep in mind. If you're DA Select for O6 and have already met your TIG requirements, as soon as you go into the IRR (to transfer to the USAR from the ARNG, the process is you are transferred to the IRR and then from there to a USAR position) you'll be promoted to O6.

If you've been DA Select, then LTC(P)s in the IRR and USAR are handled by the Senior Leader Development Office* at HRC. Reach out to them about vacancies in the USAR. One thing - IF you were able to find one that would take you, you'll likely be hitting the airlines every month.
-------------------------------------------
* HRC SLDO for RC - https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/ar-sldo (required CAC login)

milSuite | Login

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2023 11:27 AM

2023-03-21T11:27:23-04:00

Sir, the process is actually really easy. Have them look me up on global, I'm the only MSG Thomas Gould in the Army, and email me. I'll make sure to link your friend up with a high speed Army Reserve Career Counselor who can help get the ball rolling.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2023 3:01 PM

2023-03-21T15:01:37-04:00

Chris...It doesn't happen that often, but it is possible. If you want to chat about possibilities, please email me at [login to see] and I'll put you in touch with an Army Reserve Career Counselor.

All the best!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2023 3:06 PM

2023-03-21T15:06:20-04:00

It's a lot more likely than going the other way.

Response by COL Bill Gross made Mar 22 at 2023 12:32 PM

2023-03-22T12:32:54-04:00

I know of a similar incident. Fellow was an NG LTC Selected for Promotion in the case. Had to find an O6 slot to get promoted. Applied for a USAR O-6 job and was selected. In his case his NG background didn't seem to be an obstacle.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2023 4:41 PM

2023-05-03T16:41:50-04:00

Buddy of mine did exactly that. There were no slots in the Guard, and the Reserves had them, so he moved. Happy as a clam now.

Response by LTC David Keithley made May 30 at 2023 8:00 PM

2023-05-30T20:00:59-04:00

Yes, just like the Guard, you have to find a slot. I’ve known several personally who have done this.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2023 11:00 AM

2023-06-02T11:00:51-04:00

When I jumped to make rank from Guard to Reserve's. I was told that probably would stand true today is that you would not be easily accepted back to the guard. I'm sure by now you know that the guard is very family-oriented.