Posted on Jan 3, 2021
How soon can I apply for the Active Guard Reserves (AGR)?
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I will commission this May and opted to join the Reserves. I do not know when I will be attending MIBOLC, but in October I will be married Dual-Mil with an active-duty OD officer. I would like to become a full-time Reservist.
My question is, how soon can I apply to be a full-time Reservist? Can I apply before or during MIBOLC? I was under the impression that there is a waitlist for people to join AGR, and that when you receive the opportunity, they PCS you to a new location. I am also wondering how well this works with Dual-Military couples and if the Married Army Couples Program (MACP) still applies.
My question is, how soon can I apply to be a full-time Reservist? Can I apply before or during MIBOLC? I was under the impression that there is a waitlist for people to join AGR, and that when you receive the opportunity, they PCS you to a new location. I am also wondering how well this works with Dual-Military couples and if the Married Army Couples Program (MACP) still applies.
Posted in these groups: 
Dual Military
AGR
Military Intelligence Basic Officer Leader Course (MIBOLC)
Dual Military AGR Military Intelligence Basic Officer Leader Course (MIBOLC)
Edited 4 y ago
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 2
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You can apply for the MACP, but with your spouse being an AD officer and you a reservist, that is going to limit options and you are signing up to be apart or you entering the IRR for long periods of time.
HRC MACP Site: https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Married%20Army%20Couples%20Program
Rallypoint Resources: https://www.rallypoint.com/topics/marriage/about
AGR Minimum requirements from GoArmy.com:
COMMISSIONED AND WARRANT OFFICERS
If you are an Officer or Warrant Officer applying for the Active Guard Reserve program:
You must be pending discharge from your component of the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
You must be in ranks 2LT through MAJ or W01 through CW4.
You must have completed the Officer Basic Course, if you have served less than five years in rank (Lieutenant or Captain).
You must have completed the Captain’s Career Course, if you have served more than five years in rank (Captain or Major).
You must have accrued less than 15 years of active federal service (qualified applicants may seek a waiver).
You must meet medical fitness standards for retention prior to entry.
You must pass a Defense Central Investigative Index.
You must NOT have received a referred Officer Evaluation Report in the 12-month period prior to the date of application or entry.
It is all contingent on whether there is a slot or not, but AGR is tied to a location, not simply wanting to be a reservist on AD. You can hop AGR to AGR but it is not guaranteed. You may have to do AGR, then just M-Day, then maybe IRR. This is a hard way to go. While this says 2LT and above, but most AGRs I have seen Are Captains.
You can be in MACP, but you really need to look hard at what both of your career gates are. You both need KD assignments for your grade. You will have to do leg work to make all that happen. You may not be accommodated by big Army. Even as an AGR you will still need to hit KD assignments for your branch and grade. You'll still need PME.
Question: why did you not pursue Active Duty? As LTs this would be the easiest thing to manage. You go to a big Army divisional post, you both get in, get your KD time nailed down. Then go to CCC at the same time, apart, then work a big Army divisional post to work your Captain's development and eventual command.
HRC MACP Site: https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Married%20Army%20Couples%20Program
Rallypoint Resources: https://www.rallypoint.com/topics/marriage/about
AGR Minimum requirements from GoArmy.com:
COMMISSIONED AND WARRANT OFFICERS
If you are an Officer or Warrant Officer applying for the Active Guard Reserve program:
You must be pending discharge from your component of the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
You must be in ranks 2LT through MAJ or W01 through CW4.
You must have completed the Officer Basic Course, if you have served less than five years in rank (Lieutenant or Captain).
You must have completed the Captain’s Career Course, if you have served more than five years in rank (Captain or Major).
You must have accrued less than 15 years of active federal service (qualified applicants may seek a waiver).
You must meet medical fitness standards for retention prior to entry.
You must pass a Defense Central Investigative Index.
You must NOT have received a referred Officer Evaluation Report in the 12-month period prior to the date of application or entry.
It is all contingent on whether there is a slot or not, but AGR is tied to a location, not simply wanting to be a reservist on AD. You can hop AGR to AGR but it is not guaranteed. You may have to do AGR, then just M-Day, then maybe IRR. This is a hard way to go. While this says 2LT and above, but most AGRs I have seen Are Captains.
You can be in MACP, but you really need to look hard at what both of your career gates are. You both need KD assignments for your grade. You will have to do leg work to make all that happen. You may not be accommodated by big Army. Even as an AGR you will still need to hit KD assignments for your branch and grade. You'll still need PME.
Question: why did you not pursue Active Duty? As LTs this would be the easiest thing to manage. You go to a big Army divisional post, you both get in, get your KD time nailed down. Then go to CCC at the same time, apart, then work a big Army divisional post to work your Captain's development and eventual command.
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2LT (Join to see)
I did not pursue Active Duty right off because I wanted to secure an MI branch (very, very competitive among cadets) and because I was advised, at the time, that it would be easier for making our upcoming marriage work.
"You must be pending discharge from your component of the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard." Does this mean that I must wait until my 8-year service commitment is up? Otherwise, I think that I meet all of the requirements. Now, I do see how our difference in components is a challenge.
"You must be pending discharge from your component of the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard." Does this mean that I must wait until my 8-year service commitment is up? Otherwise, I think that I meet all of the requirements. Now, I do see how our difference in components is a challenge.
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LTC Jason Mackay
2LT (Join to see) it means you have to complete the AD service obligation. In my day it was 6 years to refrad. Once you are on glide path REFRAD you can work a RC appointment through their recruiter. Once you have an appt you can start scouting AGR slots
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It is very rare for a 2LT to become AGR. You might want to look at ADOS instead. It is basically one year orders. I was ADOS a few times. They can last a few years. The issus you will run into is that you will have to compete for these positions or have to know someone. In addition to this most full time position are for 1LTs or CPTs. I was in the National Guard and it was very competitive. I don't believe MACP applies if you are in the Reserves.
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CPT (Join to see)
I've never seen a AGR 2LT. The AGR MilPers also focus on being Branch Qualified and completed the next level Military Education. The ARG program does not want to send anyone to school.
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CPT (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay - I can see them both being in MACP if they were active but with the new AIM 2.0 for assignments this would kill you for duty stations. I am sure this is something that you would have to tap dance around.
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LTC Jason Mackay
CPT (Join to see) - didn't say it was going to be pink fluffy unicorns dancing on rainbows, just that it exists. 100% of dual military officer couples I've known have to work side hustles finding their next assignment to get "close" or choosing suck assignments to set conditions for a "nice" joint domicile on the back end. It's hard...that's when they are both AD. I hope this couple doesn't think this is a fix all being separate components. The AD member won't be home stationed at the RC vicinity of the spouse. Ain't going to happen.
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2LT (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay - We definitely do not think it will fix everything being MACP. That is why the current situation is that I will be traveling to my unit in Fort Belvoir, VA from his duty station in Fort Riley, KS.
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