What does it mean when i have to mobilize with my guard unit before i can go active duty?

they are giving you a crock of "S***", I believe you can request to be released from your guard unit if you have at least 24months with them. Have you talked to a Regular Army Recruiter? They know what to do... Whoever you talked to in your unit doesn't know what they are talking about, absolutely no regulation on what they said.. Tell them to show you in writing.. The exception is if you are on the bubble for a coming up deployment? Then you are at a stop loss and you can't go regular Army, that's the only exception. Once your unit gets deployment orders you are on a stop loss and they won't let you get out of the unit, so just go on the the deployment, you'll have fun. If you are not on a stop loss and you have at least 24months in , you can request to get out of the guard unit and your admin, CO has to forward up the chain for approval/disapproval. So go talk to your local Army Recruiter.