If I enlist active duty at the end of my NG contract, would I have to start over rank-wise and go through BCT and AIT again?

2018-07-07T22:52:42-04:00

I’m joining the Army National Guard, partly because i’d like to get my college education done now but I would like to go active duty at some point. Basically i’d like to know if at the end of my contract with the National Guard, to enlist as active duty would I have to start over rank-wise and go through BCT and AIT again?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 8 at 2018 6:34 PM

2018-07-08T18:34:22-04:00

An old classmate of mine was in the Guard, and got to keep his rank, and then move forward to retire as an SFC.

Response by SSG Erik McKinster made Jul 8 at 2018 6:45 PM

2018-07-08T18:45:22-04:00

Ok, so this was a few years ago, but I went and did the same thing. Kept my rank, Sgt, but in order to keep it, I had to pick from a short list of MOS's.... Mine wasn't on the list. So, had to go back to AIT to reclass. I could have remained an 11C, but would have had to take a busy, and that was unacceptable.

You'll just have to take a minute and run by the recruiter and see what's available.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 7:39 PM

2018-07-08T19:39:09-04:00

I just switched back to after 2 years in the Guard. You are able to drop a conditional release after your first year is through and do not want to until your contract is up. You may have to reclass or just check to see when your MOS is under strength or balanced on the In and Out calls. I got to keep both MOS and Rank how ever my DOR was changed from the actual promotion date to the day I returned to active service.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 8:33 PM

2018-07-08T20:33:14-04:00

It is normal to keep your rank, don’t let them BS you into thinking you have to give up a stripe, they tried to do that with me. Through some regs at them and they were happy to let me sign. No additional basic, but maybe AIT if you plan on changing your MOS.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 9 at 2018 9:29 AM

2018-07-09T09:29:31-04:00

NO as long as it is the same MOS.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2019 9:43 AM

2019-05-10T09:43:32-04:00

You will not have to go to basic or AIT. As for rank, you may lose a stripe, but it is very dependent on your circumstances and whether you have a break in service or not.
This will be a negotiation, so start it well before your ARNG contract expires and be prepared to walk away if you get the wrong answers from people.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2019 12:37 PM

2019-05-10T12:37:21-04:00

If there's no break in service between NG and AD you keep your rank. If there's a gap there are additional rules as outlined in AR 600-20.
Basic training and AIT are separate matters and at the mercy of the current policies in place at that time as well as needs of the Army.