MAKING THE SWITCH
Transitioning to and from active duty
If you’re considering a transition from your Army Reserve unit to Active Duty status, contact your local recruiter. He or she will be able to determine if you are eligible to transfer, and will assist you in the process.
Pick up a DD Form 368 Conditional Release from your Army Reserve unit. Your recruiter can help you fill out the form. The first general level Officer in your chain of command must sign off on this form. Note that you are not guaranteed release and approval may take several months.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Your Active Duty unit must have positions open for your Military Occupational Specialty at your pay grade
- If you intend to train for another MOS, you must meet eligibility requirements. Training slots for that MOS must also be available.
- Prior Service Business Rules apply
If you are granted Active Duty status through Prior Service recruiting, you must continue drilling with your Army Reserve unit until your Active Duty report date. If your Active Duty application process is still not completed by the expiration of your conditional release (six months after your general Officer signs your DD Form 368), you must seek an extension.
TRANSFERRING TO THE ARMY RESERVE
If you are interested in transferring from Active Duty to an Army Reserve unit, contact a Reserve Component Career Counselor (RCCC) near you. All Active Duty installations have an RCCC team, which is usually located near a Soldier for Life — Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP) office.
The RCCC teams staff Army Reserve and National Guard career counselors who will be able to assist you in transitioning from Active Duty and provide you information on Reserve Component benefits and Troop Program Unit vacancies.
Soldiers leaving the Army to affiliate with the Army Reserve are exempt from involuntary federal mobilization for up to 24 months.
If you are interested in joining the Army Reserve, Call us at 1-800-325-4389.
TRANSFERRING FROM THE NATIONAL GUARD
The process of switching from the Army National Guard to Active Duty is similar to the process of switching from the Army Reserve to Active Duty. You will need a DD Form 368 Conditional Release, which must be signed by your first general level officer in the chain of command. This form will remain valid for six months from the date it was signed. An Active Duty recruiter will assist you in filling out the form. Prior Service Business Rules apply.
If you wish to switch from the Army National Guard to the Army Reserve, you must also get a DD Form 368, signed by your first general level officer in the chain of command. An Army Reserve recruiter will be on hand to assist you in filling out the form.
