Posted on Jul 3, 2015
Active Duty to AGR: how does it work and is it worth it?
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I've been in for a good while now, but I've been planning to get out on my ETS next year for various reasons. Primarily, my wife has a very high-paying job and it's enough that I can afford to do something I truly wanted to do. I don't entirely dislike Army life, and I love training and mentoring Soldiers (yes, that's for real. I'm not just saying that to make myself sound good) but I can feel it's time for a change.
My parents have really been griping that I need to plan for the future and not give up on retirement. But another decade of being active duty Infantry isn't as palatable to me as they seem to think. Regardless, it did put a germ of an idea into my head. I started considering National Guard (to keep my MOS) or Reserve (would have to change MOS) but it would take me many additional years to qualify for retirement. So after reading many threads on here, talking to my uncle and few others, I started looking into AGR.
Sadly, most of the info available is from Recruiters or people who put a nice shine on things. So I want some straight talk from people who have been or are there currently. How hard was it to get into AGR? How long were you in the Reserves before you applied? For those who were previously active duty: did you have to change your MOS? Was it worth it? How hard is it to get a duty station that you like?
I'm well aware of most of the common AGR tropes e.g. take whatever your first assignment offered is, despite how crappy the duty station is and whatnot. Thanks in advance for everyone's help/input.
My parents have really been griping that I need to plan for the future and not give up on retirement. But another decade of being active duty Infantry isn't as palatable to me as they seem to think. Regardless, it did put a germ of an idea into my head. I started considering National Guard (to keep my MOS) or Reserve (would have to change MOS) but it would take me many additional years to qualify for retirement. So after reading many threads on here, talking to my uncle and few others, I started looking into AGR.
Sadly, most of the info available is from Recruiters or people who put a nice shine on things. So I want some straight talk from people who have been or are there currently. How hard was it to get into AGR? How long were you in the Reserves before you applied? For those who were previously active duty: did you have to change your MOS? Was it worth it? How hard is it to get a duty station that you like?
I'm well aware of most of the common AGR tropes e.g. take whatever your first assignment offered is, despite how crappy the duty station is and whatnot. Thanks in advance for everyone's help/input.
Reserves
AGR
Army National Guard
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
I can tell you that in my State, it is almost impossible to come in as a new AGR due to budget cuts. The State is reducing its AGR slots and is doing it by attrition (people retire and their slots don't get back filled). Due to the current trend in downsizing, I imagine this may be true in many States.
That said, I would question the whole idea of going from active duty for AGR because you don't enjoy active duty as much any more, as you would be doing very similar jobs. Among the main benefits of being in AGR is that you can be geographically stable and you can can be in a geographic location that active duty isn't compatible with.
Therefore, a couple of things to think about:
1) Consider joining the National Guard or Reserves in whatever MOS you think you would enjoy the most, and do it in a part time capacity. Once in the service, you can learn more about AGR positions and perhaps apply to one down the road.
2) Explore careers outside the military, so you can make the best decision. The military is hardly the only path to a stable financial life. 99% of the population has relied on something else.
3) How about using your GI Bill benefits to back to school, while serving in the Guard or Reserves part time? By the time you finish school, you'll have more options on the private sector side, while also much more competitive for an AGR slot if your'e still looking for one?
Just some ideas.
That said, I would question the whole idea of going from active duty for AGR because you don't enjoy active duty as much any more, as you would be doing very similar jobs. Among the main benefits of being in AGR is that you can be geographically stable and you can can be in a geographic location that active duty isn't compatible with.
Therefore, a couple of things to think about:
1) Consider joining the National Guard or Reserves in whatever MOS you think you would enjoy the most, and do it in a part time capacity. Once in the service, you can learn more about AGR positions and perhaps apply to one down the road.
2) Explore careers outside the military, so you can make the best decision. The military is hardly the only path to a stable financial life. 99% of the population has relied on something else.
3) How about using your GI Bill benefits to back to school, while serving in the Guard or Reserves part time? By the time you finish school, you'll have more options on the private sector side, while also much more competitive for an AGR slot if your'e still looking for one?
Just some ideas.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Thanks for the response sir. To get into AGR I would have to change MOS'. Not a huge deal except ot my pride, of course. The main things I enjoy about military life are mentoring/training new Soldier and hard PT. So I can do those in any MOS. And the geographic stability is of course the main reason I'm looking at it since the aforementioned good job my wife has is that of a college professor here in Colorado.
I'll also go over the points one by one and feel free to add anything:
1) Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can go directly from active duty to AGR. I'm fairly certain you have to spend time in the reserves first before applying. So if I was going to do that I'd choose an MOS based on what they need most for AGR, to increase my likelihood of getting into the program. If I was going to go National Guard, I'd stay Infantry because I do enjoy it...when I get to do it, that is.
2) I do have several options lined up but most places, aside from being an entreuperneur, require at least a Bachelor's degree these days (if you want to make enough money to live off of, anyway) and I only have 2 Associate's degrees.
3) My original plan, my main plan if you will, if getting out and going back to school full time. With my associate's degrees (General Studies and Sports Nutrition) my GI Bill should cover me through my Masters Degree in Exercise Science. It's not that big of a deal for me to count on this plan. I was looking more into Reserves/NG/AGR for retirement benefits as opposed to a lifelong career path, if that makes sense.
Thanks again for your input, Sir.
I'll also go over the points one by one and feel free to add anything:
1) Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can go directly from active duty to AGR. I'm fairly certain you have to spend time in the reserves first before applying. So if I was going to do that I'd choose an MOS based on what they need most for AGR, to increase my likelihood of getting into the program. If I was going to go National Guard, I'd stay Infantry because I do enjoy it...when I get to do it, that is.
2) I do have several options lined up but most places, aside from being an entreuperneur, require at least a Bachelor's degree these days (if you want to make enough money to live off of, anyway) and I only have 2 Associate's degrees.
3) My original plan, my main plan if you will, if getting out and going back to school full time. With my associate's degrees (General Studies and Sports Nutrition) my GI Bill should cover me through my Masters Degree in Exercise Science. It's not that big of a deal for me to count on this plan. I was looking more into Reserves/NG/AGR for retirement benefits as opposed to a lifelong career path, if that makes sense.
Thanks again for your input, Sir.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Ah, one more thing on point 3:
I'm already 32. Assuming I crush college and go through my Master's in the minimum amount of time, I'll be 36 when I graduate and begin a new career. Not a big deal, but if I was to go AGR from there I would be quite old when I retire, so I might as well just stick out being a part-timer for however long it would take to accumulate the points needed to retire (probably in my late 40s/early 50s)
I'm already 32. Assuming I crush college and go through my Master's in the minimum amount of time, I'll be 36 when I graduate and begin a new career. Not a big deal, but if I was to go AGR from there I would be quite old when I retire, so I might as well just stick out being a part-timer for however long it would take to accumulate the points needed to retire (probably in my late 40s/early 50s)
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LTC Yinon Weiss
TSgt (Join to see) - That makes a lot of sense. I think your plan (in #1) sound right to me, but of course I'm not the expert on the matter. #2 makes sense as well. To support #3, it would make sense to me that you go into an MOS that is shortest in AGR strength, and at the same time go to school full time while being part time in the National Guard. Your GI Bill benefits are incredible... there's no reason not to use them (get into the best school possible!). By the time you finish school, you may have found the right AGR slot... though one word of caution is that MOS strengths can change quickly, so I wouldn't pick an MOS you know you wouldn't enjoy just to try to game it. Good luck!
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SSG (Join to see)
It is possible. However, if you want to maintain your 11b MOS, you will need to know something about either training, supply, or admin. You need to brush up on at least one of those three skills. Even if you don't have the experience, knowing the rates and where to find information often times will get you a spot.
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Expect it to take years to show your potential and network. Being prior service active duty will not have any weight. You'll definitely need a backup plan in case it doesn't work out.
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It varies state to state. I have seen officers and enlisted come straight off of AD into the AGR system. Currently, Oregon is having difficulty obtaining a sufficiently QUALIFIED pool of applicants to fill its' AGR vacancies. That being said, like LTC Yinon Weiss mentioned, the NG is reducing its' workforce and downgrading positions by pay grade to save money.
The main thing I would caution you on is this. Your comments sounds as if you are pretty much burned out on the 24/7 military lifestyle. I will tell that in this time of doing more with less, the AGR staff works their butts off. Also, you mentioned something about not getting to pick your position. This can be true as the most valuable AGRs are the ones that have rotated through Supply, Training, Admin & Readiness positions (at the company level the Readiness NCO is typically the senior and/or E-7).
Promotions beyond E-7 are immensely competitive and the slots keep getting reduced. You should weigh your expectations against reality before making the commitment. You also mentioned your pride...many times the route into the AGR system requires an admin reduction (my old 1SG did this and is currently up for E-9...so a short term set back to set up long term success). As you weigh all of your options, there is one more. In addition to the AGR program, there is also the Federal Technician program.
Weigh the pros and cons carefully, not only for your sake but also for those you would be serving.
The main thing I would caution you on is this. Your comments sounds as if you are pretty much burned out on the 24/7 military lifestyle. I will tell that in this time of doing more with less, the AGR staff works their butts off. Also, you mentioned something about not getting to pick your position. This can be true as the most valuable AGRs are the ones that have rotated through Supply, Training, Admin & Readiness positions (at the company level the Readiness NCO is typically the senior and/or E-7).
Promotions beyond E-7 are immensely competitive and the slots keep getting reduced. You should weigh your expectations against reality before making the commitment. You also mentioned your pride...many times the route into the AGR system requires an admin reduction (my old 1SG did this and is currently up for E-9...so a short term set back to set up long term success). As you weigh all of your options, there is one more. In addition to the AGR program, there is also the Federal Technician program.
Weigh the pros and cons carefully, not only for your sake but also for those you would be serving.
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