Does anyone have details on transitions from Active Duty to Guard or Reserves for KD complete Officers?

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 21:35:37 -0500

I'm considering transitioning from Active Duty to either the Guard or Reserves. How does MOS selection work when transferring, are assignments similar to AD, and how do officer promotions work for either? Has anyone had any shocking experiences when seeing the differences between AD and NG/AR?

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Nov 19 at 2019 10:01 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 22:01:20 -0500

I am prior active and been Reserve since 2009. Assignments are on you to find and get accepted into. I voluntarily transferred into and out of different units. For promotion, you need to proactively seek schooling as opposed to active duty ordering you to school. You have similar zones based on time and grade with KD and schooling with good evaluations needed for consideration.

Big difference is working to have full time civilian employer accommodate time off for school without impacting job

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2019 11:30 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 11:30:53 -0500

You are your own Career Manager. As such, you should speak with an in-service recruiter about available positions. They will have a vacancy list for most, if not all Reserve units and some of the National Guard positions.

If you choose to go to the National Guard, then you will need to contact the State Headquarters and determine if they have vacancies. If they do, then that addresses the first hurdle. If they don't, then you will need to consider alternative Career fields. This would require additional schooling and training. In some cases, you may be reduced in grade. But, this is your choice. In the long-term, your career in the National Guard will require flexibility (family, job, financial and time). If you want to remain and get promoted in the National Guard, you have a limited number of units, limited number of positions and a state geographical and political boundary. Your promotions require formal schooling but to often, more importantly, political connections. These political connections are inside and outside of the military. Most positions above CPT are as close to political selection as they come (they are so few). This is because once you make Colonel, you are eligible for selection and political appointment as the State Adjutant General (Major General). I served in the National Guard as a 1LT thru CPT but had to move to the USAR for promotions above CPT. You may have to do the same.

If you choose the USAR, then your geographic border is the world, not a state. But, you have to be your own career manager. You will have to find every assignment, regardless of location, interview for the position (just like any other job) and perform. As a USAR officer, my normal commute was a 5-8 hour drive, each way, with overnight stay in a hotel or base housing, in addition to demands on my time during the week. For years, I spent more to perform my military duty than I received in pay. for years, I had to take calls and attend meetings during normal business hours of my civilian job (requiring that I take time off or risk losing my job). More importantly, as a USAR officer, I was routinely tapped for additional off-cycle annual training.

I served in both National Guard and USAR. I made the best of the situation to maximize my career opportunities and achieve more than I expected. But, I sacrificed a growing civilian career and a family to achieve all of this. The demands placed on me by my country forced me to choose military over everything else. I don't regret my choices but the sacrifices may be more than you want to make.

Good luck

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Nov 20 at 2019 2:08 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 14:08:44 -0500

My advice: unless you really need to transition to a reserve component, stay active duty.

Response by SGT George Stephens made Nov 20 at 2019 8:52 PM

SGT George Stephens — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:52:17 -0500

Reserves - Federal insurance and benefits, MOS that you want may or may not be available, you are your own career guide. Deployments aren't as common. Still drill one weekend a month and two weeks a year for annual training. Lots of schools and opportunities available as long as you do your part to get there. This includes D.I. school and many specialty skills. That's all I know about the reserves for now until the beginning of the year. Officers are in the front as far as taking the lead and helping get things set up.

National Guard - State and Federal benefits available, MOS that you want is highly likely, you have state career assistance, Deployments become more common every 2 years now in some states especially in NC, Be ready for State Active Duty assignments as well. Training for National Guard troops are beginning to ramp up from MUTA 2 and MUTA 3 to MUTA 5 in some units. Some, at least in my state, are even having two AT events. The good ol' boy system is a real thing however which is a major downfall. A lot of officers in the Guard, again from my experience, are a bunch of college kids who just wanted a fancy resume.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2019 3:03 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 03:03:56 -0500

I recently transitioned from Active duty to the National Guard and then a year later to the Army Reserve. I'm suppressed how different the Guard and reserve are. Unless you want to change to a specialty branch I recommend going to the Guard as a FA officer. I didn't find it difficult to change branches but you have to do a lot of work yourself.

I have found the Army reserve to be the "army of one" in that it's just a bunch of individuals grabbed up to fill upcoming missions. That can be good and bad. It's on you to find your job your schools and your next position. The guard does a fairly good job of managing their officers (in that they actually do it) the reserve seems to be a pile of individuals moving from slot to slot in-between ATs.

Let me know if you have any more questions.