If I am not yet BOLC qualified, can I switch from Reserve to active duty as an officer? Can I submit the DD-368 after completing OCS?

2023-06-10T16:31:57-04:00

For context, I am currently a SSG in the reserves and am going through Officer Candidate School at Fort Moore right now. We are through 4 weeks of the 12 week course.

My wife and I have been discussing the benefits and possibilities of what an active duty career would look like and the more we talk about it, the more I am beginning to think I would like to put efforts into learning if and how this is possible. Every school the army has sent me to while a reservist I absolutely excelled at and have always enjoyed my short periods of active status. I am still relatively young enough (32) to make a full career out of the regular army.

As a reservist I already have my branch (QM) and a home unit to go back to upon commissioning on Aug 4th.

I am aware of the process of submitting a DD-368 via a recruiter, but I am wondering with not being BOLC qualified if that is still an option for me? Would I have to complete BOLC first or could I submit the 368 after completing OCS? If possible I would like to try to opt for a different branch, but if I have to go QM first I would be willing to do that.

If anyone has any experience or insight into this I would greatly appreciate it

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 10 at 2023 4:42 PM

2023-06-10T16:42:21-04:00

Transferring before you branch qualify seems to be putting to the cart before the horse. It's been a while since I've been involved, but in the 80's, Honor students at branch schools were given choice of assignments for the active guys, or active duty slots for Reserve and National Guard.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jun 10 at 2023 5:46 PM

2023-06-10T17:46:59-04:00

The DD368 is just to get the permission from the USAR to release you. That's not the process to go onto active duty (it is ONE of the steps), that's why you need to work with the recruiter to identify programs that you can apply for.

The most common program to bring Reserve component officers into the active component is through the Call To Active Duty program*. The latest MILPER message about the program is 22-476* which specifies that you must be a BOLC graduate.

Additionally, you're out of luck right now (at least for FY23) if you were thinking of trying after BOLC as they aren't accepting an 2LTs from any branch.

The recruiter might know of another less-known program you could try for (WAAAAAY back when I went through OBC, they used to have a Commandant's Program to bring the top performing RC officers onto active duty .. who knows, maybe the Quartermaster School has something like that) or you could do a full-time route through the USAR or ARNG if applicable.

Again, talk to a Active Duty Recruiter first - then see what a USAR or ARNG Recruiter can tell you.
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* https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Call%20to%20Active%20Duty%20Program
* https://www.hrc.army.mil/milper/22-476

HRC Homepage

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2023 6:31 PM

2023-06-10T18:31:29-04:00

Once you get commissioned and complete your basic officer leadership course in whatever Branch you may have, in time, you will be able to apply for positions worldwide. You will have to do this at your army unit since they are so paranoid about getting hacked. There used to be a program called mob cop or Tour of Duty. You could go on temporary active duty for 3 months, 6 months, 2 years Etc because you can see what the needs of the army are and you are able to upload your credentials and from there they could pick you for any mission. Also, have you ever considered working as an AGR in the Army reserve? They get the same benefits of active duty and they get to pick or be selected to be transferred to different locations and you work as the full-time staff in a command. You probably want to do this after you become captain so you have the experience but you can always go to your reserve or National Guard unit and apply for those positions but you have to do that on their Nipper computer system because you won't be able to do it at home. You used to be able to use your own personal laptop with your cat card but they got strict about 5 years ago.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jun 11 at 2023 10:59 AM

2023-06-11T10:59:47-04:00

I think that all Os on AD have USA commissions*. No shooting war on at the moment, so spots for OTRA Os would be scarce, I think. Since you will be USAR O, hopefully someone can tell you if you have a chance for USA commission. I know back in my day, if you wanted to integrate into RA, one had to be a ranger tab or airborne tab holder. You had an OF prefix on serial number, so the ring bangers could tell you were integrated.

*Except LTG and GEN that are AUS when in nominative position and revert to MG when leave position as MG, the highest USA rank.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2023 11:04 PM

2023-06-15T23:04:58-04:00

Don't be a dishonorable US Army officer. Join any other branch to become an officer just don't join the ranks of the "good Ole boys." Don't say I did not give you fair warning.