ARNG ---> Active Duty Officer

[LT_77]

Here is the short story:
-Active 8 years: ETS'd in 2003 (E6) after Iraq
-Started College full time
-Enlisted ARNG (E6) in Jan 2006 (3 year contract)

As it stands now:
-100 Semester Hours completed, need 124 to graduate.
-Attending Phase 0, Currently enrolled in Accellerated OCS, will attend Jan-Mar in Alabama.
-I assume my OBC (or whatever it is called now) will be sometime in 2007.

Right now, I have a great job and a good looking career with nice upward mobility. The money is more than I ever made on active duty as a SSG, and there are other perks as well. I could continue down this path, living as a civilian but operating as an officer 1 weekend a month and I'm sure life would be gravy. I'm also quite sure I'd get another tour in the sand, which I wouldn't mind.
I've been talking with my wife about a possible switch to AD in late 07, or whenever my "OBC" is complete. Not sure if this is even possible, or do you have to get released just like an enlisted soldier would? Is it the same process? I'm sure my commander and C.O.C would be supportive if I felt it was the best option for myself and my family, and we aren't exactly hurting as far as unit strength goes.

Just wondering what the facts are, or is this one of those gray areas where nobody really knows. Again, this is at least a year out on the horizon, so no rush. ****, I have to make it through OCS completely and get pinned, so one step at a time. I like to be optimistic though, and after 8 years AD, PLDC, BNCOC and OIF I doubt OCS will toss anything at me that I cannot handle.

Thanks for the input in advance!

[matthew.ritchie]

There is a provision for ARNG officers to move to the active component, but in 17 years I've never seen it happen. The active component doesn't want you, because they haven't owned you for your entire career. It's a long story, but the bottom line is, it is highly unlikely that the active component will accept you. They'll take you as an E5 however.

As a senior 1LT, look into AGR opportunities. You can also volunteer for mobilizations and other missions as they arise.

[gsrtonv]

I would also like the answer to this question as I might be interested in AD after OBC.

[LT_77]

There is a provision for ARNG officers to move to the active component, but in 17 years I've never seen it happen. The active component doesn't want you, because they haven't owned you for your entire career. It's a long story, but the bottom line is, it is highly unlikely that the active component will accept you. They'll take you as an E5 however.

As a senior 1LT, look into AGR opportunities. You can also volunteer for mobilizations and other missions as they arise.

Thanks for the advice sir! AGR might be a nice route as well. Who knows, I've got time to think about it, so no rush. If it came down to it, I do have a trump card though which I might be able to use. As an E-5 in Germany I drove for a 1 star, who is now a 3 star at the Pentagon. As a matter of fact, his boss was General Casey (then a 2 star), now commander in Iraq. I imagine an email to him might get me rolling on the path I need to go active.....after all we all know it's not what you know......but who