Posted on Dec 19, 2021
SGT Gunner
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I’m interested in transitioning from AD to the National Guard and reclassifying. I’ve reviewed Cav Scout and Infantry. Any tips from 11B/19D, or NG SMs? Looking at the state of Texas.
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Responses: 14
SGM G3 Sergeant Major
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Talk to your In Service Recruiter / Reserve Component Career Counselor.
It's a mandatory stop for clearing active duty, but you can set an early appointment to get information.
You can sign that contract 180 days prior to your ETS, and the contract is effective the day after your ETS, (but give it another week after that before you try to get a new CAC).

There is more 11B than 19D, so it makes more sense to go 11B. if you want to see the Cav, (if TX ARNG has one) the C Trp is 11B also.

11B is a 4 week transition course, taught in several states, don't put it off, get it done your first year.

And don't base your decision solely on an MOS you think you want, seriously consider what units are closest to where you will live, work and/or go to school.
TX is a big state, don't choose a unit that's a 900 mile drive for drill.
If OK or NM units are closer to where you will live, check those out, too. You don't have to live in the state of your unit, and it's just easier if your unit is closer.
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SGT Gunner
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Thanks for the information. Will look into early commitment
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SFC Michael Hasbun
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Don't and don't? Going from the big leagues to the JV is one thing, but doing it AND choosing useless MOS's that don't benefit you in the real world in terms of skills, certification and education is just going too far...
Transitions are an opportunity to get something worthwile. Don't waste it.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CPT Lawrence Cable
3 y
I've heard this since 1982, actually before since I didn't enlist until I was 27. Even things that looked like they should transition often don't. No matter how many diesels you have worked on, that civilian employer will want to see your civilian certifications. Same goes with Drivers and the various other service/repair people. Being a Hawk Missile repairman doesn't have much civilian application. Maybe Cyber is different, but in my experience, the stuff the Military uses was at least 10 years behind what I was doing in the civilian work.
My advice in going to the National Guard is to pick something that you want to do one weekend a month whether it makes you more employable or not. You can always use the various educational benefits to make yourself more marketable on the employment side. I would also look at the promotion opportunities in a particular MOS, in the Guard and Regular Army, at is still the Infantry.
My father was a crew chief/mechanic in the original B52 program. When he came out, he was unable to get a job at a commercial airline even though he had routinely worked on what was a state of the art airframe at the time simply because he didn't have all of the FAA certifications.
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SPC John Tacetta
SPC John Tacetta
3 y
11B, Perfect location for the Citizen Soldier.
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
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Edited 3 y ago
The 124th Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army Cavalry Regiment, represented in the Texas Army National Guard by 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry, part of the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at Waco.
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