Can I reenlist to extend for 3 years to a reserve component i.e (National Guard, or Army Reserves) and not Active Duty for PROMO to E7?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 16:50:29 -0400

I should be getting an opportunity to get promoted to SFC soon. I 'Il have 2 1/2 years on my contract left, promotion to SFC requires a 3 year minimum from the date of promotion. I am currently AD.

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Aug 24 at 2021 5:03 PM

SGT Charles Bartell — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 17:03:31 -0400

If and where are you on the promotion list?
At this point you have 17 1/2yrs. I think I would extend to make it 20yrs.
Then if you pick up you E-7 then go to your next minim.
Promotion is not guaranteed in the Guard or Reserve's . You can only get promoted if they have the slot,
And you are on there list. the slots almost always go to the guy's that have been around.
If you go guard then your retirement goes to age 65.
Do the few more years to make your retirement a lot sooner.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 5:19 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 17:19:46 -0400

Honestly, I recommend you take the promotion on active duty, extend for one year to ensure High 3 then punch out. It'll give you the 3 years for the High 3 and give you some additional time for the retirement packet to process.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 5:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 17:31:40 -0400

getting out right now is just about the most idiotic thing you could do. If you are about to pick up SFC then extend or go INDEF.

Look I know the Army is a pain in the ass, but the civilian world isnt going to be any different. It will in fact be far far worse. As an E6, you are making decent money and have a butt load of benefits, likely so many you dont use them all. STAY IN.

Also in the reserves, even AGRs get moved around and the Motor T guys have their own set of problems.
The Guard is great if you enjoy the military enough to have it as a hobby. But there is a massive ammount of "good ol'boy" system.

Having done all 3 branches I can objectively say Active is the best place to be.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 6:03 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 18:03:25 -0400

I've served in all three components of the Army. The Guard, Reserves, Active. Stay active!!

Response by SSG Paul Carrier made Aug 24 at 2021 6:34 PM

SSG Paul Carrier — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 18:34:55 -0400

I can't speak for the USAR but it is very unlikely you can do it in the Guard.
As a Readiness NCO I never gave out paragraph and line numbers of SSG or higher slots that might be vacant.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 6:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 18:52:56 -0400

No, you cannot. When you accept a promotion with an SRR it is to the component you are promoted in. When you are promoted to SFC you will be required to extend/reenlist to three years past your promotion date or else decline promotion. If you want to join the Reserve Component you can do that once you are six months from ETS and promote within their component.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 8:36 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 20:36:44 -0400

Take the promotion and extend. Retire at 20 with your high 3. You won’t find a slot in your state for that rank in the guard most likely and why would you wait until over age 60 to draw full retirement from the reserves when you can do a little over 3 and be done with full retirement?