AGR: Best Kept Secret or Overworked and Underappreciated?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 19:22:12 -0400

For those who are AGRs or have seen AGRs in action. What are your thoughts? Paradise or overworked mules that are underappreciated by their TPU leadership?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2014 8:13 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 20:13:34 -0400

This is a slippery slope. I love being an AGR. I struggle with Leadership whether it's TPU or AGR. I say that because if you feel under appreciated then you're looking in the wrong places. Soldiers are the focus especially in a place of Leadership. You find ways to enjoy your job no matter what.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2014 9:16 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 21:16:51 -0400

CPT Maurelli,

AGR is a great opportunity and I am glad to be apart of the program.

As far as overworked..at times, but nothing to complain about. I have felt under appreciated at times but most TPUs just think we sit around all day and shoot the bull. I have learned to enjoy being the person behind the scenes making things happen with my fellow AGRs.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2014 4:30 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 May 2014 16:30:45 -0400

An old COL of mine called them "Green Welfare." Sadly there too many that fit that bill, doing the bare minimum to get buy.

On the flip side of that, there are plenty of great ones too. For example my MSG who keeps me in the loop and and always has my and our soldiers backs,

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 5:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 05:11:56 -0500

AGR is a great gig IF you can get it. I did a year of ADOS in a very large armory that housed several units. Every AGR I became friends with in that building had it made. Come in and do PT on your own. After getting to work out on the tax payers dime they work start work around 0900. Take an hour lunch and the building would start to clear out around 1500-1600. Every other weekend was a three day weekend. An hour a day at least was wasted on Facebook or Candy Crush. Ask them about their job and it they begin to cry how hard they have it and how they’re just like regular Army, minus regular field time, organized PT, formations, and PCS’ing. Most of the time when any heavy lifting needs to be done they put it off until an M-day soldier comes in for a SUDA or for drill weekend.

AGRs are necessary, there are good ones, but pretending like it’s a very difficult job is a joke. They should try the private sector sometime. I think next week I’ll tell my boss I’m going to do BJJ or go to the gym on company time and see how that works out for me.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 4:04 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 16:04:56 -0500

I've looked into going AGR, in fact I boarded for an AGR position that I ended up not getting. I've since changed my mind about AGR. I've met enough guys who don't enjoy being AGR and are just there for the retirement at this point. I enjoy being a soldier, and don't want to burn myself out on it sitting behind a desk and dealing with unit politics.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jan 13 at 2015 3:03 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 15:03:19 -0500

I have a great deal of respect for my AGR guys. They work the standard (including PT) 0600 to 1700 (sometimes longer) on weekdays, and when drill weekends come around, they work the Saturday and Sunday and go straight into the week without a break.

They are responsible for maintaining the USR ratings for units just like the active component but have significantly less people to work with. Many people apply for these jobs, but there are only a few slots there, so if the vetting is done correctly, will get good people.

All in all I have a great deal of respect for the AGR positions!

Response by MSG Michael Shannon made Aug 6 at 2015 3:32 PM

MSG Michael Shannon — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:32:27 -0400

Though question… I’ve been AGR myself since 2002. I have PCSed 3 times and have 3 or 4 very different assignments. I had my moments when I was done but something kept me going and I’m grateful for that. Are you over worked? Sometimes. Under appreciated? Sure. Paradise? It definitely had its moments.

Your experience will be different than anyone else because of the leadership and the position. My first assignment I was young, only 19, and was not a fan of my Platoon Sergeant. Within 2 months my unit received mobilization orders so needless to say we were busy. As an AGR getting ready for Deployment in 2003 there was a lot to be done. From Aug to Feb I had 3 days of and worked 7-19. It was horrible. Once that leader was gone and I was home from the box it was gravy. Then I went to an NCO Academy where I thought WLC for a few years. Hard work back then 15 hour days 15 days strait. After that I was a Platoon Sergeant in PA. I was working from 8-15 with an hour for lunch.
If there is one thing that I can tell you as a “Veteran” of the program it is this. Where you are is less important then what you do. Assignments are what will propel an individual in this program above their peers. Good Luck!