Does anyone have any experience or advice to give for a Reservist wanting to go on active duty?

2018-06-27T12:25:33-04:00

I'm currently in the reserve while enrolled in community college and plan to go AD after graduating. I've been told the transition process is long and can be frustrating, but want to know more about the actual process from anyone who may have experienced it.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jun 27 at 2018 12:36 PM

2018-06-27T12:36:10-04:00

It’s doable, but there are a lot of hoops to jump through. The biggest one is getting your current reserve unit to release you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 12:57 PM

2018-06-27T12:57:01-04:00

I knew a major who wanted to go into the inactive ready Reserve and I still think he's trying to go through right now he's been doing it for the last 6 months. when I was on temporary active duty with the California Garden the one-year tour was winding down, I asked my Battalion Commander if I could be released to join the Idaho National Guard because they were going to Iraq. He had no problems doing that saying I was going to war. This was during the Middle of a war in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, there is less need for soldiers like back then yet units are being a-holes about it. They may even be jealous and do whatever they can to slow it down. So my suggestion is to stick it out, join ROTC where you get paid to go to their functions while you go to school and then they could pay for your college when you get out and the top third of the class gets to go active duty. Don't Be Afraid about being an officer. I was a specialist before I became a second lieutenant and I did not go to ROTC and I regretted it. Go green to gold!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 3:46 PM

2018-06-27T15:46:40-04:00

It really depends on your upper command, first your commander does not have to release you, most will if they feel it is in the soldiers best interest, second the higher chain of command does not have to release you either, most will usually follow your commanders recommendation but some will not. Once a release is signed by your commander the speed really depends on the chain of command and how fast each level processes the paper work, I would work with a recruiter, they can help walk it thru each step.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2018 11:19 AM

2018-06-28T11:19:49-04:00

I'm not 100% sure how the Army operates, but a couple of my buddies In the USMC who are reservists say its a nightmare.

The reserves paid to train you, equip you, feed you etc. They don't want to lose you to the active side. I think there is a form or something you can fill out, but I know your command has to give the OK and release you.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2018 11:07 PM

2018-06-28T23:07:34-04:00

Alright Battle Buddy let me help you out !
I’m currently going through the process of joining a new unit who is willing to release me to go from Reserves to Active Duty at the moment it all depends if your current unit is willing to release you . This is my second time trying to get release to go active duty , my first time trying didn’t go so well because I got turned down by my brigade commander Because at the time they were trying to make sure all reserve soldier were Ready force X .
If you have any questions feel free to ask !