quote:
Originally posted by 18051801:
I know I can go active duty at any time after I am in the reserves,I know I can go active duty at any time after I am in the reserves, but my question is: If I go reserves then transfer to active duty, when can I change my MOS? For example: If I go in reserves as say, a supply specialist, then I transfer to active duty (same job). After how long can I change my MOS to watercraft operator (or another MOS)?
It's not as easy as it sounds though.
First off, if you sign a reserve contract, once all your training is complete (BCT, AIT), you owe six months to your reserve unit. Why? The Army and your unit spent the money to train you for that MOS and its opening in the unit.
Secondly, your transfer to AD is dependent upon your unit releasing you. If your MOS is in need in your unit, then your unit commander can opt
NOT to release you. That can be for however long they think they'll need you.
Thirdly, provided your transfer is approved, there seems to be no set time on when your orders for AD will be cut. I've heard of people getting their orders within a few weeks and some several months. So you maybe leaving reserve status soon, or you maybe waiting for awhile.
I would wait until the new Fiscal Year (1 Oct) to see if the MOSs you want will be available. Has your recruiter told you that those MOSs won't be available even after 1 Oct?
If AD is what you ultimately want, then I would apply for that straight off the bat. There's nothing wrong with trying to "backdoor" to what you want via the reserves, but as you can see, you will be at the mercy of several factors. I've heard of some guy that took him FIVE YEARS to augment from reserve to AD! All those factors came into play (he was denied transfer initially because his MOS was short in the unit, his orders being cut took long, and to top things off, he was mobilized).
Do what you want. If this plan of yours doesn't work, and you ultimately get stuck in the reserves, what are you going to do? Do you have civilian plans? Remember, the Reserves is for people who have civilian plans (like school, career or both), but still want to serve in the military, albeit part time. If you don't have civvie plans, then going reserves is a waste (going reserves because you want to "backdoor" to an MOS that's not currently available on the AD side is not a good reason).
