Does AR 601-210 Section 5-19 confirm that a Company Commander's signature on a DD 368 is valid for a Reservist wanting to go to AD?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 08:11:48 -0400

Does AR 601-210 Section 5-19 confirm that a Company Commanders signature on a DD Form 368 is valid for a Reservist wanting to go to Active Duty?

AR 601-210 5–19. Request for discharge or clearance from a Reserve Component

a. For members of units, DD Form 368 is sent to the member’s unit commander. DD Form 368 is required for non- unit members. Send to appropriate Control Group. Headquarters, USAREC, or Chief, NGB will publish procedures for non-unit members.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2018 9:01 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 09:01:51 -0400

What you find is that in most commands (and I can speak with authority on two of them, but not all), the first General Officer in the CoC reserves that authority to their level. There are a few reasons for this, but for my money I would say the biggest is budget. Recruiters would just love to put a joe in the USAR only to send them to AC later. They get two numbers towards their quotas that way. For the USAR, though it means that they pay to train a Soldier only to lose them to another component.

There is also the second part of this equation. The 368 is only half of the action. The signed form is only a license to enlist in another branch or component. The current component has to discharge you and release you from your existing contract as well. That might include forfeiting and repaying some bonuses and other items in your first contract.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Apr 2 at 2018 9:19 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 09:19:56 -0400

The Reg says unit, not Company. That authority is generally the first General in your Chain of Command or his/her designated representative. Yes, it can take months for it to travel up the chain in Reserve and National Guard units. You could ask your immediate COC for permission to hand carry it to the proper authority.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2018 8:17 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 20:17:23 -0400

Rules are explicitly stated, first general officer in chain of command.