Is the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) still the best kept secret in the army?

I am currently an AGR it is truly the best kept secret. If you become an AGR you are crazy to not retire out of it. You get all the benefits of ACTIVE DUTY but you come home to your family everyday. Your working for the reserves and unless you are with a deploying unit you do not deploy. However you do have one weekend and two weeks you are gone. It is a great career.

I don't know if it's so much a secret if you are in the guard as a M-Day, I'd lean more toward Technician being a good secret, but I can tell you unless you want to be a recruiter where I am good luck getting into AGR.

I retired from the AGR program last year. Joined the Active Duty in 1992, spent the majority of that time with the 82D at Bragg, ETSed in 2001, became a MilTech for the 82D Reserve Det for about a year then became an AGR. Most of the leadership with the exception of a diminishing number of good ones were wortless at SFC to CGs were useless, profile riding and completely a waist of the defense budget. In the many assignments I held Only Medical units and Engineers (who held engineering degrees), with the few exceptions of course, had the proper experience and education relevent to be officers. Active Component just had better more professionl leadership. The part of the Army Reserve that seemed to bother me the most was the dishonesty. Fat CSMs and officers faking APFT and HT/WT results, riding walking permanent profiles for BS back problems for most of their careers and no ability or passion to run a younger soldier in on the simple 2 mile run. My suggestion is to kill the program with the exception of Medical and Engineer units, blend AGRs in to regular AC. Many will not be able to make in on AC so quality control will be in effect. With the money that is waisted on TDYs and over paying TPU SR NCOs and Officers grow the active duty force. Lets face it, who puts part time employees in charge of full time employees in any business and expects to be successful. Out dated equipment, bad budget management, and dishonest leadership. Not an equation for success anyway you do the math.

I am Army Reserve and is thinking of going AGR. I know for sure I plan to go officer. Should I apply to go AGR before finishing my degree to go officer? Or is it easier to go AGR as an E5, Sergeant, and then go officer?

I am actually curious about the AGR program. I am currently deployed and once I return I will have a year left at my current duty station. I will be promoted to CPT and will be heading out to CCC. I heard about AGR and how there are some additional opportunities that you cannot get on active duty. I also heard that there more duty stations open as well. I am just curious as to what is exactly different from the AC. I would like to explore my options as I continue moving forward in my career. I want to make an impact at every position I can and I want to ensure Soldiers and units are set up for success. If anyone can chime in with there experiences about going from AC to AGR, your insight would be much appreciated. Thank you.

I am active duty, and was thinking of going AGR. Can you pick the place if you get picked up?

I am currently in the process of applying for a position in AGR and I know some good things about it since my dad is also in the AGR but I have asked everyone one simple question and no one has an answer for me. So, hoping someone can clear this up for me. When you are Active Duty transferring to AGR, Does your leave days that you acquired transfer over or do you start out with a 0 balance? Please let me know if you know the correct answer. Email me @ [login to see]
Thank you

I believe that the AGR program is the best kept secret in the Army. I spent about 8 years in the RA, served as a TPU and military technician, and then became an AGR. What I will add is that it takes an independent thinking Soldier who can work on their own with very minimum supervision. Soldiers within the AGR program typically carry immense authority to carry out their duties, as their chain of command runs through the full time staff.

Abosolutely! Try finding an opening within 100 miles of home...any home. LOL!

Anyone here have any suggestions or know of any AGR openings either NG or Reserves for a 25N? My ETS is end of May and I am not picky about the state. Would like to continue service instead of gaining employment in the civilian sector. Not opposed to that type of work, but really enjoy the camaraderie of military life. Any help is greatly appreciated!