In the Army National Guard, how long do you have to be in the Guard before you can transfer to Active Duty?

2018-01-25T09:17:20-05:00

Response by SPC Matthew Tinder made Jan 25 at 2018 9:34 AM

2018-01-25T09:34:25-05:00

Unless there has been a recent change there shouldn't be a time in service requirement in a reserve component to transfer to active. Talk to a recruiter to be sure!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2018 9:48 AM

2018-01-25T09:48:44-05:00

I'm not sure if there's a time requirement or not, but look at it this way. If you ship and you go through Basic and AIT, Alabama is paying for that. That's a lot of money and money is a very precious thing in the Guard right now. You'll have to get a conditional release from the Guard and the likelihood of that happening right after you come back from training after the state spent all that money probably isn't good.

If you haven't shipped to training or collected any money from the Guard yet, I'd try to make the switch before I ship. I'd also get as much information about both as I can before I make the decision. I've been on both sides of the fence. Feel free to contact me.

Response by SPC David Willis made Jan 25 at 2018 9:55 AM

2018-01-25T09:55:07-05:00

Ill say this, if you think you'll be moving soon, hold off. Marine recruiters may be more receptive to you at a new location, and it will solve your NG issue if you still choose that route. You wont miss out on anything by pushing the date back a couple months.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 11:49 AM

2018-01-26T11:49:35-05:00

Transfers don't just happen, there needs to be a slot available plus it depends if your TAG is willing to release you.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Jan 30 at 2018 7:57 PM

2018-01-30T19:57:31-05:00

It’s all depends on your commander; I seen some get right out of basic and Ait go back to their units and get release cause of hardship and I seen some do their whole contract. Go active from the door

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2018 1:49 PM

2018-02-09T13:49:01-05:00

You are looking at a least a year at a minimum before the Alabama ARNG thinks about letting you go active duty because like SGT Barrie stated. The Alabama ARNG spend money on your to got to Basic and AIT. Return on investment. (ROI) It is going to be hard right now for them to justify letting you go right now because Recruiting is have a hard time recruiting and keeping people in the National Guard. When the economy is good it is hard to get people to volunteer for military service.