Can National Guard Go Active Duty?
The National Guard is a vital part of the United States Armed Forces, comprising citizen-soldiers who are willing to serve their country when needed. One common question arises regarding the National Guard’s ability to switch from reserve status to active duty. In this article, we will explore the process of National Guard members becoming active duty personnel and what circumstances might lead to such a transition.
Can National Guard Members Go Active Duty?
In simple terms, yes, National Guard members can go active duty. In fact, National Guard personnel can be ordered to federal active duty status for a variety of reasons. These reasons include:
- To support federal operations or tasks
- To assist state or local authorities during an emergency or disaster
- To fulfill a training or duty requirement
- To conduct operations in a deployed location
What Are the Conditions for Active Duty Conversion?
For National Guard members to become active duty personnel, there are several conditions that must be met. These conditions include:
• MOS conversion: National Guard members must meet the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) conversion criteria for their respective Military branch.
• Enlisted requirements: Soldiers must be eligible for enlistment or re-enlistment with the active duty force. This includes meeting specific qualifications, such as Physical Readiness Test (PRT) scores and other Military aptitude requirements.
• Officer requirements: Officers must be commissioned by the National Guard or converted from an enlisted Military specialty.
• Unit mobilization: Units or formations must be activated by federal authority for deployment, relief efforts, or training missions.
What is the Process for Converting National Guard to Active Duty?
The process for converting National Guard members to active duty is straightforward but does require careful consideration of eligibility criteria and procedures. Here are the steps:
• Initial Application: Interested National Guard members must apply for active duty status by submitting a voluntary recall and assignment (VRAR) form to their chain of command.
• Application Review: The VRAR form is reviewed by Military personnel to ensure compliance with active duty enlistment/reenlistment standards, MOS conversion, and medical readiness.
• Notification and Approval: Approved applications are forwarded to the Army National Guard/NG-PERS (Personnel Center) for notification and record-keeping.
• Assignment and PCS: If approved, National Guard personnel are assigned to active duty and receive orders to change duty status.
• Processing and Clearances: Pre-deployment security clearance processing, if necessary, and other relevant requirements must be completed.
• Reporting and Processing: Assigned personnel report to active duty and undergo further processing at the Military Base.
• Integration: After clearance, National Guard members complete any necessary orientation and are fully integrated into their respective active duty unit.
Table: Comparison of Active Duty and National Guard Roles
| Roles & Responsibilities | National Guard | Active Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Training and Service | Focus on state duty | Global deployments and worldwide duty |
| Pay and Benefits | Part-time compensation, drill pay | Full-time active duty pay |
| Healthcare | Limited benefits | Full active duty medical benefits |
| Deployment | Supports national defense, limited federal control | Supports federal command authority |
| Reserve Commitment | 3 months drilling per year, training on weekends | Mandatory minimum drill time, extended duty if deployed |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I choose my Active Duty unit?
No, conversion to active duty often assigns you to an available active duty unit based on personnel needs. - What about my spouse, dependent, or pets during relocation?
Active Duty military relocate their families accordingly; dependent care and transportation expenses might be covered, check relevant Military regulations for further assistance. - Are promotions guaranteed?
While eligibility factors contribute to potential advancement opportunities, active duty and Military career progression rules remain. - Do National Guard benefits transfer?
Eligibility for federal and private insurance, housing allowance, and other benefits transfer.
Conclusion
Converting from National Guard to active duty is possible for National Guard members meeting eligibility requirements and undergoing a successful process. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of National Guard personnel compared to active duty servicemembers, coupled with a clear outline of conversion procedures, facilitates this life-changing transition. Ultimately, this decision often has life-long implications and it’s essential to consult relevant military resources and mentors when deciding whether to transition to active duty.
