Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/27/2009

Question
hey sir.  my question to you is regards to a NG member going active.  Here is my situation.  I just got home from deployment to afghanistan and I'm on 40 days of terminal leave. I'm an E5, a 68w and I want to go active.  I'm being told that I probably won't be able to keep my MOS that I would probably get 11b is that right?  Is there a new USAREC memorandom in regards to prior service?

Answer
Tony,
You cannot simply transfer. The Army National Guard and Active-Duty components are different. With very few exceptions (mostly for medical professionals), you cannot simply transfer from the Guard to active duty. You must get an approved discharge from the Army Guard component, and then separately process for enlistment for Army active-duty service.

However, you can apply to the ARNG for a "conditional release." Basically, a "conditional release" says that the National Guard agrees to release you from the remainder of your commitment, if you are accepted for enlistment to an active-duty service component.

To start the conditional release process, you must see an active-duty recruiter. The Recruiter is the only person who can request a conditional release. He/she does this by submitting a DD368 Form, Request for Conditional Release. This form must be signed by the member and the active duty recruiter.

The conditional release does not have to be approved. It's entirely up to your ARNG unit.  If your unit is undermanned in your 68W, they may disapprove the conditional release.

As to retaining your MOS, yes you will probably keep it as it's too expensive to retrain you (I assume you're higher than an E-1).  The old 11B story is often used to scare people, but it's not true.  If you really want to be an 11B you're probably out of luck.

I hope this helps.
Colonel H