Within the next two years my guard contract will be up and I plan on going active. What should I do to prepare?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 12:06:37 -0400

The most experience I have being active is Benning and month-long ATs. My fiance and I will be married by then so I know I'll be in housing or living nearby base if I can snag a house. What transitions should I be ready for and what will translate well?

Response by SFC Marc W. made Aug 25 at 2020 12:20 PM

SFC Marc W. — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 12:20:04 -0400

Are you changing MOS at all?

My suggestion is to just get as physically fit as possible. Running, rucking, smoke the PT test.
Also prepare your fiance that AD doesn't care about anniversaries, birthdays, etc and you will still have to go to the range, JRTC, field exercises and so on. Also, your days may be very long for no reason, as well as frequent moving and being uprooted.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2020 12:28 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 12:28:36 -0400

Just get in great shape and look into what MOS you are interested in. Also if your MOS that you want for active needs a TS talk to one of your AGR guys and they might be able to start that for you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2020 12:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 12:55:51 -0400

If you’re not changing your MOS most prior service get their choice of first duty station at MEPS. I would sit down and pick a top three with your spouse of where you’d like to go.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Aug 25 at 2020 4:31 PM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 16:31:25 -0400

I would try as hard as possible to get as much debt paid down as you can. Sit down and work up a budget that will compare to what you will be making once you go active. If there is anything left over build up a small emergency fund, and then pay off all debts you can prior to transitioning.
Hope this helps.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2020 9:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 21:42:29 -0400

My lessons learned from switching over in 2011. #1 have enough funds to survive the first 30-60 days. This will come into play when trying to make a deposit on both on-post housing or an off-post house. It took around 45 days to get my pay right and even then it took almost 2years to get my uniform allowance right. #2 GET FIT! Seriously you should be doing all you can to smoke the ACFT. You're going to have to break free from the assumption that everyone in the NG is out of shape #3 Study up on your MOS and basic solder skills. I spent my first few days getting smoked and quizzed on what I knew.