Posted on Jan 20, 2016
How can I go from the Army Reserve to the Active Duty Army?
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I was wondering what options I have if I would like to volunteer for an active tour (ADOS, deployment). I have already tried the tour of duty website multiple times but have never been selected for a position. I've even triple checked my profile on that site to make sure it has all the right information. Don't even ask about AGR, as I've tried going that route but unfortunately my earlier years in the National Guard prevented that from happening, but that's my own fault. Like for example, can I call up local units and see if they are deploying anytime soon? I'm just curious about the different routes I can take on this. I've never deployed, but I feel like I've so much to get to the Army. I want to end my career with something to show for it. Thank you.
Posted in these groups: 
42A: Human Resources Specialist
Army Reserve
42A: Human Resources Specialist Army Reserve
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 10
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Unfortunately the need for 42As is slowly diminishing in the operations overseas. Your best bet is Tour of Duty or talk to your unit to see if they can look around for you to see if there is anything within your state, otherwise, the Army is going back into "peacetime operations" so deployments and budgets are becoming fewer and further between. Another option, probably honestly the best thing to do is, go to your NCOES schools. If you haven't been to WLC yet......GO, if you have, see if you can get a jump on ALC/SLC, or just look into schools that they can send you to, find out what is needed in your unit/battalion/brigade and see if you can goto school to get qualified for that, for instance Master Fitness Trainer (if your pt is high enough) is something that not very many units have, get your combatitives certifications, instructor course, there's literally hundreds of schools you could go to that's not the "sexy" ranger, SF, pathfinder, chest candy schools, but they'll still give you promotion points and some will be helpful in civilian life. So best advice out of all that, use this time to work on your career and give your career meaning that way.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you Sir. A matter of fact I am going to WLC in April. From there I hope to start a great NCO career. Thanks for the advice again.
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1LT Ryan Millican
That's good, you'll get some good experience there. And trust me, I know the pain of being a "paper pusher" and trying to find a needed opportunity, I was a 27D Paralegal Specialist before I commissioned, only real worth while "extra school" I could goto was Court Reporting, which looking back now I should have done, but check out Cool.army.mil I think that's the site, it'll show some classifications the Army can help you get based on your MOS. And dude, if you're not already, goto college. There are so many college opportunities out there, especially if you are Guard, but plenty of good online schools, just make sure you find one that has a SOCAD agreement with the DOD, I believe these guys are the ones that agree not to charge you over the FTAs per hour tuition cap.
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Personnel Force Initiative (PFI) has a website that it advertises positions on as well. I would recommend to go find a local retention NCO, and he should be able to find you a unit. No guarantees that you will deploy, but worth a shot. It took me four years in a row to finally get on AGR. Keep submitting the packet in AKO. Eventually there will be a needd, depending on your MOS. The rank is right.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you MSG. Regardless, I am still a highly motivated reservist who values his service. No matter what capacity I am in I will still give 100%. I really like my civilian job, but I really want to show something worthwhile in my military career. Something to be proud of.
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CSM (Join to see)
I am glad to see someone else has heard of PFI. I haven't personally gotten picked up for a tour with it but it is an option. AGR os a royal pain. I have tried for years and years to get in. I had a ton of active duty time, great evaluations etc. etc. but never got picked up. Now at our grade they basically said not to waste my time. My concern is the part of your question that you said not to mention AGR and that there is an issue with prior service in the ARNG. Dependent on exactly what that issue is, it may severely affect your ability to go Active Duty none-the-less remain in service. Or it could literal be some BS that you are over concerned about that had no bearing on your future service. Trust me when I say we have all made mistakes. You need to learn and grow from them. The difference between when I was in your shoes is now a days the Army is down sizing and what used to be an insignificant blemish in ones personnel file can now be a career ender
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MSG (Join to see)
Wow. I got lucky and assessed as an E-7. Almost unheard of. Just happened to need folks in the MOS.
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