How you go from Active Duty to Reserve Duty Entry Process

The process of transitioning from full-time service to part-time service is simple and seamless. For guidance, NAVET Enlisted candidates should consult their Career Counselors. NAVET Officer candidates should look to the Career Transition Office (CTO). And OSVET candidates should contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter. Here, learn more about how to prepare and how the process works.

First things first: If you’re on Active Duty and interested in the Navy Reserve, make sure the information in your form DD-214 is complete and correct. To obtain a copy of your DD-214, simply submit form SF-180, Request Pertaining to Military Records.

Below is information about the entry process for Active Duty servicemembers. Refer to the one that applies to you.

Process for NAVET candidates

Currently, the CTO handles all conversions of Navy personnel from Active Duty to the Navy Reserve. Depending on your classification (Enlisted or Officer), the timing and degree of CTO involvement may differ. Here is an overview of the general process leading up to transition.

Steps for Enlisted Sailors

If you're an Enlisted Sailor interested in a direct transition into the Navy Reserve, you should start by contacting your Command Career Counselor. From there, you can expect to:

  • Apply to the Reserve Component (RC) in the Fleet RIDE/Perform to Serve (PTS) system – using your Command Career Counselor as a resource to help make sure that you complete all required actions in the PTS system
  • Wait to receive your approved quota in the PTS system
  • Utilize the Career Management System/Interactive Detailing (CMS/ID) to view available positions that you are approved for and to submit an application to serve in a Reserve capacity at a desired Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) location(s)
  • Wait to hear from a CTO Enlisted Transition Assistant who will contact and advise you about Reserve benefits and opportunities as well as help facilitate the transition process

Steps for Officers

If you're an Officer interested in transitioning into the Navy Reserve, you should start by contacting the Career Transition Officer (CTO) by phone at (901) 874-4192 or via email at cto.officer@navy.mil.

From there, you can expect to:

  • Be contacted by a Transition Assistant (TA) from the CTO
  • Have your TA essentially facilitate the entire process – advising you of specific opportunities, handling the preparation and processing of required documents, and ultimately arranging your assignment to serve in a Reserve capacity at a desired Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) location(s)

The goal of the CTO is to make the Active Duty to Reserve transition for Officers as simple, smooth and streamlined as possible.

Learn more about what the CTO does for transitioning Officers and be sure to check out the Transitioning Officer Timeline.

Important Transition Information

When it comes to transitioning, here are some important points to be aware of:

  • Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) – If you affiliate with the Navy Reserve within 24 hours of release from Active Duty service, the TAMP provides 180 days of transitional health-care benefits to help certain uniformed servicemembers and their families transition to civilian life. Learn more about TAMP.
  • Mobilization Deferment – If you affiliate with the Navy Reserve within six months of release from Active Duty service, you are eligible for a two-year deferment from Involuntary Mobilization. If you affiliate with the Navy Reserve from seven to twelve months after release from Active Duty service, you qualify for a one-year deferment from Involuntary Mobilization.

And keep in mind: If you do not transition directly from Active Duty to Reserve Duty but wish to affiliate at a later date after being released from Active Duty, you must contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter.

Process for OSVET candidates

If you are currently serving in an Enlisted or Officer role in a service branch of the military other than the Navy, contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter for details on eligibility and the process for transitioning into the Navy Reserve.

They will help you complete a DD368 (Conditional Release) form. This form, along with a letter explaining your intention, will then need to to be passed up through the chain of command for your current military service branch for approval.

How can employment and service work together?

There's important information that all potential Reservists, current Reservists and their civilian employers should be aware of.

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