Can I go from Active Duty to Reserves?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 18:34:35 -0500

I am an Active Duty 35P (Crypto Linguist) at the Defense Language Institute. I was supposed to join to be 68W in the Reserves after getting laid off because of COVID but COVID pushed my ship date back 9 months. The only MOS shipping soon was 35P in AD and I was in a desperate financial situation so I joined AD. I am now facing a situation where I will need to reclass due to lack of ability. I am trying to find a way back into the reserves but understand that can only be through discharge. Unfortunately I am passed my Entry Level Separation date. Because they are going to cease training me in this MOS anyways would it be feasible for the Army to discharge me? If they did would I be able to reenlist in the reserves? I understand I signed the contract. It is not that I do not want to serve. I just would prefer to serve in the Reserves and am in a position where it may be possible. I also know that if I refused to reclass, I would also get discharged but could I reenlist? Or even get a waiver?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2021 7:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 19:07:40 -0500

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2021 7:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 19:08:24 -0500

Are you going to reclass to 35N?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2021 9:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 21:20:57 -0500

You will be reclassed. You will serve to your ETS and you can transfer to the Reserves then. There is no "refuse to reclass", it's not a request. You might be offered to pick a new MOS or you might just be told what you're getting. As long as you're in the Army you'll comply with whatever orders you receive because they're orders.

An Entry Level Separation was never an option for you, you can't just request to be separated with an ELS.

Response by CPL Jay Strickland made Jan 20 at 2021 12:14 AM

CPL Jay Strickland — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 00:14:02 -0500

Hey Solider buck up. I am a former 25S. My MOS training is one of the most difficult in the military as I know yours is as well. One of the people I served with in AIT failed out. I recently got in touched with him a few months ago due to Covid and staying in and goofing off on social media. He is retiring as a Cw3 which in my book is a DAMN good career. This is nothing you cannot over come and this is nothing you cannot turn to your advantage. You are in, serve your term and do the best you can at it, you may like whatever career they give you. If you don't like it when your time is up either reenlist for another MOS or get out and use your college money. 2,3,4 and even 6 years is not that long and will fly by before you know it.

I get it things didn't go as planned and you are discouraged this is normal. I assume you are a young guy and you seem fairly smart. Here is the deal a lot of things will not go as planned, this is not the end it is just a new direction. A lot of things didn't go as planned when I was in the army and a lot more things didn't go as planned when I got out of the army. But I have done well in life, n fact better than I thought I would when I joined at 18.

So keep your chin up. Go kick ass wherever they send you and things will be ok.