Posted on Aug 6, 2018
CH (2LT) Command and Unit Chaplain
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I'm about to turn 32. I've been both selected for OCS as a TPU soldier and offered an AGR position on the enlisted side. If I accept the AGR position, OCS is out of the question due to my age and AGR status. I have a good amount of student loan debt, and PSLF is my best bet for getting debt free. I know I could apply for appointment into the AGR program as an officer further down the road, but I know there are no guarantees in choosing this route. Any guidance you can offer is greatly appreciated.
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Responses: 8
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
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Change is constant and your battlefield dynamic, so choose what you are most comfortable with making your career path. Having said that, if being a commissioned officer is your ultimate goal then, go to OCS. If becoming debt-free is your Everest then, student loan repayment program is best and that can either be enlisted or in the officer track. OCS has been great for some, but a back-stabbing experience for others; its a mixed bag. A few like me start enlisted and bridge over into the Officers Corps later. The choice is your own to make.
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COL Thomas F.
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I was a mustang too, but I went ROTC. First off, do you want to be an officer because of the extra pay, or because of what we do as a corps? If you have a desire to lead formations and manage staff sections, then jump on board. Glad to have you. At 32 you're getting a little old to be a 2LT and that opportunity might not be there in the future. Second, you'll need to understand what the difference is between an AGR officer and a TPU officer. While this may sound weird, there is one major differences. AGR officers, by regulation, are there to support the Commander in conducting operations. We are not looked at in a command track unlike what you see in the TPU world. (Lots of history on that one topic alone). If you want to be a hard charging engineer officer (or whatever the Army commissions you as), go AC, get the same pay, and get more opportunities to do cool things - Airborne, Ranger, Sapper, etc (if you haven't got those yet) before you get too old. 32 sounds young but 42 will creep up on you quick so do the Hooah stuff ASAP. Travel the world - blow something up. As an AGR, you will be assigned to support mainly CONUS USAR units (with the few exceptions) on their staffs and basically kept in your career field. AGR is not big on jumping branches unlike the TPU side where they could seem to care less if go EN to LOG to MP to whatever (lots more on that too). AGRs are also looked at as the unit SMEs as we are there 24/7 for 2-4 years. We are the ones the Commander goes to make sure the unit is both operationally and doctrinally on track. If that's what you want to do, we'll support you in your decision because that's what we as an Army do.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
Lt Col Charlie Brown
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Excellent advice.
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Capt Daniel Goodman
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You're lucky you're prior enlisted, I wasnt, had I been, I'd have been far more prepared when I'd gone from Army ROTC to USAF OTS...I hear about the debt, though I'd that's what you've got, I'd do the IS A now just to have it done, honest...if posbl, I'd also try doing grad school, once that'd be done, also...elaborate if you can, assocs,bach, grades, majors, GPAs, STEM 've non-STANdard stuff you've done other svcs you've looked at for intersvc at all, it's help to know more, to try to suggest more for you, I'd you can elaborate, as I'd said, OK?
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