Expert: John L - 11/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi:

I enlisted in the USAR with the split option program on december 2007 and went to boot camp that on summer 2008. Then I came back to college to study for the whole year and went back to AIT on summer 2009. I did not completed AIT because they gave me a REFRAD because they didn't wanted me to loose the semester. I decided I want to go Air Force ROTC. I already talked to the Air Force commander and he said he has no problem letting me in the program but I have to get a conditional release from my unit which is a DD Form 368. I want to know who has to sign that form and what are my possibilities that I will have success in what I am trying to do.

ANSWER: Getting released from USAR is hard and takes time, but not mpossible. Go thru your unit admin and request to meet with your commander. Usually a brigade commander is the lowest allowed to approve it, but he will go off recommendations of your commander.  Be sure you have your ducks in a row when you request it, and it will need letters from the AF ROTC saying they willa ccept you upon release from the USAR.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I already have my DD Form 368 filled by the Air Force Commander... If none of the options you told me work, would an IG complaint work because Im wasting my time in the unit by not being MOS qualified

Answer
An IG complaint wouldn't go anywhere because it is up to the Army Reserve if they want to release you.  The IG would look at it as you not wanting to fulfill your contract.  You can go to college, still get your degree, then go AF officer after you reserve time, but since you are asking to be released for a ROTC thing, they might go for it, more than just wanting to go air force.  I am also not sure if you need to be released just to be in ROTC before your Junior year.