Unconditional Release?

[Jade_92a]

Hello, I've always wanted to be an Officer in the Navy. My school doesnt have NROTC, so I'm hoping I can do BDCP. I was in the Navy for 5 years, got out and joined the Naval Reserves. The drilling station was far away and they were not organized at all. So, I transferred back into the IRR. I joined the Army National Guard due to financial hardship and since I still had 3 more years with the Navy I did an unconditional release into the ARNG. Now I've just learned about BDCP. Can anyone give me info if BDCP can give you an unconditional release?

 

[HeyJoe]

Hello, I've always wanted to be an Officer in the Navy. My school doesnt have NROTC, so I'm hoping I can do BDCP. I was in the Navy for 5 years, got out and joined the Naval Reserves. The drilling station was far away and they were not organized at all. So, I transferred back into the IRR. I joined the Army National Guard due to financial hardship and since I still had 3 more years with the Navy I did an unconditional release into the ARNG. Now I've just learned about BDCP. Can anyone give me info if BDCP can give you an unconditional release?

It's the ARNG that has to give you an unconditional release because they "own" you. Are you really asking if BDCP qualifies for a release?

 

[flopper]

First off, it's called a conditional release and the DD 368 will be your best friend in the process of getting out of the ARNG. I was prior guard myself and just swore into BDCP last month. Have your officer recruiter fill out one of these forms below. The standard is to write a brief formal letter to your current commander stating your intentions about why you desire a transfer. Then you can give accompanying letter and DD 368 to your current chain of command. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms/dd0368.pdf

The whole process can seem overwhelming at times, but know that the Guard is the Guard and that means things move at the one weekend a month pace, so don't expect things to happen overnight. It took me close to eight months to complete the process of applying for BDCP. The best thing that you can do is to contact an officer recruiter and get the process moving, you have alot of paperwork to fill out. Just out of curiosity what MOS are you currently in? This might have an effect on whether the State HQ will release you or not. Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[Jade_92a]

Thanks! That's very helpful. I am currently a 92A and we are way overmanned -like 13. There's only one E5 spot and four of us are up for promotion. They're asking us if we want to switch units or qualify for another MOS. I don't think they will have any heartache over loosing me (if accepted to BDCP). The only issue is I accepted a bonus for 6 years. I already accepted the first half of the bonus and I get the second at my three year mark. It's been 1-1/2 years. On the plus side, my Commander was a prior Naval Officer. I just hope he's not bitter about the Navy.

 

[flopper]

Thanks! That's very helpful. I am currently a 92A and we are way overmanned -like 13. There's only one E5 spot and four of us are up for promotion. They're asking us if we want to switch units or qualify for another MOS. I don't think they will have any heartache over loosing me (if accepted to BDCP). The only issue is I accepted a bonus for 6 years. I already accepted the first half of the bonus and I get the second at my three year mark. It's been 1-1/2 years. On the plus side, my Commander was a prior Naval Officer. I just hope he's not bitter about the Navy.

What you have received up until this point bonus wise is rightfully yours. You will lose whatever is left of your bonus if you do indeed transition. If you are serious about the to transition then I would begin the process immediately. The final decision will probably be up to your state HQ as to whether they will authorize the release, but there are cases in which the unit commander has the authority to do so (usually the case on the active side) but you will need his/her blessing either way. Just know that before you can even go up for the BDCP board that you need the DD 368 signed from whoever is authorized to do so and will be a part of your package. I'm just trying to emphasize that this 368 is the most important part of the process, THEN selection for BDCP, because no 368, no transfer.