How hard is it to switch from active to reserves, and how far out from my EOS should I start the process?

2016-02-29T13:27:35-05:00

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 1:29 PM

2016-02-29T13:29:38-05:00

Best way to find that answer is to speak to your Retention Office

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 1:41 PM

2016-02-29T13:41:49-05:00

PO3,
Possibly easier than it you'll want it to be a few years after the fact-I'll explain.
The Navy and the Naval Reserve operate on different budgets, to include manning. Frequently, AD personnel are released to, even encouraged to consider the Reserves for "continuing" their career, minus all the not-so-fun bits about being active.

Here's the catch.

The Reserves have three basic tiers; FTS (full time support), Selected Reserve, and Inactive Ready Reserve. FTS is just like being on AD in many respects, but very difficult to find/hold billets in. Selected Reservists (aka "weekend warriors") get paid to fulfill a role on a part time basis in a Reserve command. However, if you can't get a billet, they oust you from SELRES to Inactive pretty fast...I think it's a year.

Being IRR is probably the least favorable, as you don't drill...but don't get paid either (ok-you can earn retirement points). However, you're still "technically" available for recall, mob, the whole nine yards...and still under UCMJ. If you get MOB'd, it will be close to 24 months of AD anyhow. Odds are, you'll get MOB'd for IA.

If you go over the fence and decide you were better served on the active duty side, it can be nigh unto impossible to get back from Reserve purgatory.

Long story short, it probably isn't that hard if you're coming up on EOS, and file the papers...I'd say it's almost automatic. If you're considering it for pay, benefits, etc...think long and hard before letting go of Big Momma' Navy's hand. If you're done with the Fleet, it's not a bad gig, but expect a great deal of uncertainty in regard to retirement planning.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 2:52 PM

2016-02-29T14:52:17-05:00

It does not hurt to speak to the local Recruiter sooner than later. It differs for every branch, but you are better to hear, "Come back in 6 months" than, "oh, sorry, you *just* missed the cut-off for processing". Since the Recruiter has to find you a Reserve billet, that may take time. I deal directly with the MacDill In-Service Recruiter, that way I can give him the billet number to transfer AD to our program, etc. Good luck!!

Response by PO2 Teall Haycock made Mar 1 at 2016 5:07 AM

2016-03-01T05:07:03-05:00

I just went through this last year. I got out, and then joined the reserves which made for a 3 month gap in service. Not a huge deal, but plan on signing up for the reserves at least 3 months prior to coming off of active duty in order to prevent the gap. This is for my experience going from active Navy to reserve Navy.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 9:13 AM

2016-03-01T09:13:47-05:00

I do not know the current process because I've been retired many years, but I do know that you want to have your Reserve paperwork completed before your term of enlistments ends, so you don't have a break in service. Make sure your enlistment in the Reserves starts the very next day after your active service ends. Even if its a year out, I would start the process now. Better to be too soon than too late. I transferred from active, to Guard to Reserves, but never had a break in service for 20 years. It makes a difference regarding your clearance, retirement, etc.

Response by 1SG Jeffrey Mullett made Mar 1 at 2016 1:18 PM

2016-03-01T13:18:20-05:00

You will be required to visit with your Transition office when you are out-processing. You can talk to them then, or you can call your local recruiter or Retention Office in advance and let them know when you ETS from Active Duty.
If you contact them in advance, you should have a much better chance of transitioning to a unit of your choice, and not a "pot-luck" assignment.
The other question would be what your Branch is. Since Reserve is Support focused, you may have to change branches if you are combat-arms.

Response by A1C Lisa Casserly made Mar 1 at 2016 2:04 PM

2016-03-01T14:04:40-05:00

It didn't used to be very hard AT ALL. The Reserve recruiters would come INTO the office (I was a Separations and Retirements clerk in the CBPO) and they would scoop you up and handle all the paperwork for you. Now, that might have changed since I understand that there is no longer a Consolidated Base Personnel Office, all of this is handled on the squadron/unit level. When my son was separating after his tour of duty, he had to do a series of appointments... He was in the Army, I want to say it was called ACAP or something like that. That is supposed to start about 1 year out from your separation date. So, the people in charge of that program should be able to get you hooked up with the right people to get you moved from active duty into the Guard or Reserves. Hope that helps you out.

Response by 1SG Ronnie Miller made Mar 1 at 2016 3:21 PM

2016-03-01T15:21:17-05:00

You should start about 6 mos before your ETS. Just find a unit that has a vacancy, you qualify for and if they will they agree to accept you. You can also let a Reserve Recruiter do it all for you. It's very easy.

Response by COL David S. made Mar 5 at 2016 12:06 PM

2016-03-05T12:06:23-05:00

This is an easy transition. You can start the process almost at any time. The wait time is insignificant in most cases.

Response by LTC Alan Murphy made Mar 6 at 2016 6:39 PM

2016-03-06T18:39:18-05:00

Not hard at all. Just remember when you join the Reserves or Guard many of those people in those units are locals to the area. Its a great place to network and get into the community.....Leave behind your cut throat active duty mentality, that won't fly in the Reserves and Guard. You will find yourself on the loosing end if your think your going to play the sick active duty games in the Reserves....Your promotions will take longer in the Reserves but good things come to those who wait. If your in a good unit everybody helps each other out in due time for promotions...Also, in the Reserves you can always find 3, month, 6 month, 1 active year reserve tours of duty and other extra active reserve time.....There is also an active guard and reserve program where you could apply and work full time at Guard and Reserve centers......and get your 20 years active duty......good thing about this program is your not career active duty but its the best of both worlds..you don't have to deal with all the active Army, Navy, etc. bullshit.........The Guard and Reserves is a smaller community so it doesn't pay to try to screw people over there like career active duty.......If you want to change for MOS numerous times you can do it easily in the Reserve or Guard....If you dont like on Reserve unit go to another one and ask to get qualified in their MOS and send you off to school.....the world is your oyster in the Reserve and Guard.......yes there are bad Reserve and Guard units but if your good you can change it......and stand out.........but beware you won't be giving people in the Reserve and Guard bad evaluations to destroy their careers......very rarely happens.....remember its the Guards and Reserves......these people live and work in the community....its not like active duty where you will float in for a couple years and then move on to your next duty station like active duty........Good luck....