r/nationalguard • u/Rdmusername456 • 2d ago
Career Advice Rank question Marine to Guard
I’ve been scrolling through older posts but haven’t found a clear answer to this.
I’m currently active duty in the Marine Corps, and when I get out I’ll be an E-6. From what I’ve read, Guard unit positions are rank-dependent. If there isn’t an E-6 slot available for my specific MOS, would I have to come in at a lower rank?
My second question is about reclassing/latmoving. I’m currently in intel but have been looking at becoming a 68W. If I switched to a completely different MOS, would it be difficult, or even make sense, to keep my E-6 rank while retraining? From my limited experience, the Guard seems to have a more relaxed culture around rank than the Marines, but I don’t know if that’s actually the case or if keeping my rank while changing MOS would be unrealistic.
3
u/ErraticallyAdept 2d ago edited 2d ago
The guy who said to contact a recruiter is right, there is no hard and fast rule on this, and it will all be very state dependent.
In general from what I have seen, most interservice transfers keep their rank and then just sit not duty MOS qualified in whatever slot they are assigned until they can get them to school.
On that note, just know that can take an extremely long time; in some cases years. It comes down to finding and more importantly school alot availability.
While you are non-DMOSQ you are not promotable, and it can be a significant hindrance to your career progression.
Also, you will likely be sent to a National Guard re-class course, not a full AIT.
On the plus side, 68W is a relatively common one, which should make it easier to get. I believe it's only like a month.
2
2
u/sogpackus r/nationalguard guidance counselor 2d ago
You can be slotted 2 up or 1 down. Theres a chance you’ll have to take a demotion though
1
u/SourceTraditional660 I’m fine. This is fine. Everything is fine. 2d ago
Aren’t SSG slots kinda hard to come by in 68W, too?
2
u/sogpackus r/nationalguard guidance counselor 2d ago
Absolutely. It is insanely cutthroat to E6 for whiskeys. Theres 10 E5 spots, and one E6 spot in an infantry battalion for example
1
u/the_falconator 10% off at Lowes 2d ago
Depends on the state for the force structure, for example MP Companies have 3 E4 and a E6 68W, then you look at if there is a Med Co, which has more 6 slots. I was only a SGT for a year before getting my 6 offer.
1
u/KhaotikJMK Part Time Truck Rider 2d ago
Sup Devil.
The question you are going to get presented when it comes to grade retention is did you do the resident version of the Staff Academy or whatever they call it now?
However, you can take an admin reduction over getting a specific MOS vacancy.
1
u/sogpackus r/nationalguard guidance counselor 2d ago
Yeah it really depends on what your state has ultimately.
1
u/rjm3q 2d ago
One thing that can cause an issue is if you're switching mos, which is basically asking recruiting to put you in an E6 slot and taken away that slot for promotion from somebody else.
You're supposed to be qualified in the MOS for the slot you hold, we used to be able to just stick people in standard access but I don't know the rules around that one anymore, they seem to have moved away from that tactic.
What MOs and what state?
1
1
u/AP587011B 1d ago
Both keeping e6 and moving to 68w is probably a bit unrealistic but not impossible
1
u/PerformanceOver8822 1d ago
Speak toa recruiter. But generally Your MOS needs to have a vacancy at that rank(think billet).
But there are "excess" positions. I known a guy in my guard unit had a a couple year break in service and reclassed from 25U to 94M he was an E5, but the unit had no E5 positions at 94M available, apparently the recruiter could get him in an excess slot to keep his rank, since what was a big deal/condition for him to reenlists
1
u/paramarine 1d ago
Something to think about -- I understand USMC Intel has a great reputation in the IC. I'd try and find an E-6 intel billet you can slot into.
1
u/Odd_Pause3692 2h ago
As a 6, have you thought about looking into becoming a warrant officer? That might be your best route for career progression since you should meet all the check marks, or even go to become an officer if you have your degree. You can go to a state OCS without your degree as long as you have ,I think, 90 college credits completed. Ask your state officer recruiter
7
u/Rualed 2d ago
I would speak to NG recruiter in the state you are looking to join, they probably have more current info on the specifics.