How difficult is it in 2018 to transition from active duty to Guard/Reserves?

2018-05-15T20:53:57-04:00

I’m running a business and able to replace my income. I have 2.5 years left on my active duty contract and would absolutely love to finish it out in guard/reserves if possible. This would be great for my family, my business, and my mental health. I know my company commander would support. Is this something I’m able to do?

I’m a military police officer. 1lt promotable very soon. Willing to reclass If it was necessary. Is this something I should pursue? Where would I start? I know nothing haha.

Thank you so much!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 15 at 2018 9:34 PM

2018-05-15T21:34:09-04:00

I assume you have reported your private enterprise to your command. In that event you can work with your command to indent if your remaining active requirement. If you have not you may very well be jeopardizing both your military and private sector careers. Speak to your mentor. Thank you for your service.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2018 10:28 PM

2018-05-15T22:28:37-04:00

I’d say the worst part of a drill weekend is the feeling of Groundhog Day. Running into the same problems each drill over and over.

Response by LTC John Mohor made May 15 at 2018 11:13 PM

2018-05-15T23:13:09-04:00

Reserve wise I'd recommend checking out any 200th MP Command websites thru AKO. They're the two star level Reserve Command over most of the Reserve MPs. They could tell you where openings are in the Reserves throughout the US. Remember if when you transition you may end up adding to your time clock for selection to CPT. The benefit however is as a 1LT you have more slots you could transition into available. Both LT and CPT slots would be available to you instead of just CPT slots. Good luck in your transition!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 16 at 2018 2:50 AM

2018-05-16T02:50:10-04:00

You know, purely as a thought, I know you might prefer to do it as Army, however, if you tried going interservice or maybe AGR or Guard Tech or Reserve Tech, that might add some possible flexibility to your being able to do so...just a thought, of course....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 16 at 2018 2:52 AM

2018-05-16T02:52:35-04:00

https://dmna.ny.gov/jobs/

Purely as a case in point, I'd seen this page in NYS under DMNA, I'm sure such pages must exist under all the other statesmand/or territories, you know?

NYS DMNA Job Opportunities

State, Army and Air Force Technician and AGR Vacancies, Contact Information and Links to Job Banks and Other Opportunities, Services and Job-search Tools through the New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 16 at 2018 2:57 AM

2018-05-16T02:57:48-04:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Reserve_Technician_Program

Here's another thought....

Air Reserve Technician Program - Wikipedia

Air Reserve Technicians, commonly referred to as ARTs, are a nucleus of full-time uniformed U.S. Air Force leaders, managers, operators, planners and trainers in what is known as the Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the United States Air Force, the ARC consisting of both the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 16 at 2018 3:00 AM

2018-05-16T03:00:48-04:00

https://www.fedsmith.com/2013/07/01/the-uniquely-unionized-national-guard/

Here's another thought.....

The Uniquely Unionized National Guard : FedSmith.com

National Guard Technicians are, with a few exceptions in every state, members of an

Response by SFC S.t. Helms (Ret) made May 16 at 2018 3:00 AM

2018-05-16T03:00:50-04:00

I was a "less than stellar" active duty Soldier but one heck of an Aircraft mechanic during my time on active duty (10 yrs). Joined the Guard after I got out just because I missed it (spent 12). Became one heck of a Guard soldier. Meaning, it's a different breed and culture shock and it was easy. What may come natural to you, is not that way on the "citizen soldier" side (I hated that term). You'll have to "rewire" yourself and step it down a notch, plus... you spend your personal time (after work) doing Army stuff in between drills without getting paid. Think it through.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 16 at 2018 3:04 AM

2018-05-16T03:04:43-04:00

http://dmna.ny.gov/nynm/

In NYS, this I always found rather unique, it's apparently Federally approved, mainly for drilling USNR, USMCR, and USCGR reservists, however, it is very real, my wife and I have known members who drill with them, they're not a typical state defense force (SDF) militia, they're Federal military run through NYS...now, whether such a thing exists elsewhere, that I don't know of course, however, I merepymoffer it as yet another approach possibly....

New York Naval Militia

New York’s Naval Militia - the nation's oldest, continuously-serving, federally-recognised state naval force

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 16 at 2018 3:13 AM

2018-05-16T03:13:23-04:00

https://www.google.com/search?q=flexibpe%20opportunities%20for%20usafr%20to%20assist%20civil%20air%20patrol&client=puffin-a&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

Back before my total perm disability, before my final hon admin discharge, I'd looked quite heavily into drilling as USAFR with Civil Air Patrol (CAP), as I'd learned such chances did in fact exist...if you look through these, such chances still domapparemtpy exist, if such things might interest you at all...obv it'd involve going interservice, as I'd said, however, I merely offer it as a thought, of course....

flexibpe%20opportunities%20for%20usafr%20to%20assist%20civil%20air%20patrol - Google Search

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 16 at 2018 3:14 AM

2018-05-16T03:14:05-04:00

That search link should work, even with the misspellings....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 16 at 2018 3:14 AM

2018-05-16T03:14:48-04:00

I checked it, it works....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 3:23 AM

2018-05-16T03:23:32-04:00

You can transition for the remainder of your required yes. We have 3 CPTs there all active duty compo1 and then transitioned. I can speak only of the reaerves but with the NG there needs to be a position available. As for the Res. You will have better opportunities. I recommend getting with the post retention there usually is someone there that can work with you and point you in the right direction. Most likely it will be HRC. Good luck

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 7:57 AM

2018-05-16T07:57:36-04:00

1LT Private RallyPoint Member, where are you stationed? I see a lot of advice about the reserves and ARNG on here, but nothing that answers your primary question. Can you do it? The answer is yes, but it isn't likely. You signed a contract. Find it and read it. Doesn't matter if your Company Commander supports you or not. This depends on the requirements of your branch and your year group. If they are short officers, then the answer is likely going to be no. If not, then the answer is maybe. Your personal business is...not a factor. You're an officer in the Army of the United States. Period. You could be deployed tomorrow. So, I hope it works out for you, but you need to do some research and talk with the right people. I'd start with the ARNG recruiter and the Reserve recruiter on post. From there you can actually get some useful information. Anything is possible. Just depends on what your branch has to say about it. No one else can approve it.

Response by TSgt David Desmarais made May 16 at 2018 9:37 AM

2018-05-16T09:37:53-04:00

Depends on needs of the service. If your job is not on a "hot list" you should be able to do it however the process can be long. You might find its better to just serve out your AD commitment.

Response by COL Ardis Ferguson made May 16 at 2018 7:07 PM

2018-05-16T19:07:49-04:00

There is an Army Reserve transition NCO on the internet, goArmy.com, ask them. They will talk you through the process and give you a yes or no and walk you through the application if it’s a yes.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 8:13 AM

2018-05-17T08:13:37-04:00

Thanks everyone for the help! I had a chat with my CO CDR. Hes supportive and going to try and help me find the right person to speak with. ill update this thread when I have some results in case someone else is curious about doing this

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 10:47 PM

2018-05-17T22:47:21-04:00

It isn’t.