What are the pros and cons between an NG AGR and NG Tech position?

SPC Josh Tharp — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 19:10:32 -0400

As I am plotting my long term goals, certainly full time with the National Guard falls into those plans. I am trying to gather as much information as I can given two different paths.

To date, it appears there are significant differences in pay, allowances, insurance, promotion and duties based on what I read. But how is it in reality? What advice, experience, etc. do people have? What swayed you applying one way or another?

Thanks in advance

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Oct 7 at 2020 7:26 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 19:26:09 -0400

I have been both. Seems you have weigh3 the pros and cons. Depending on your unit, you may be putting in a lot of time. If you retire at 20 years you will probably for another job
Tech side 40 hour week. Pay can be good depending on your career field. You can build Tech and military retirements. Longevity also better on the Tech side. Often on the ARG side upward mobility can be limited. In the long term the Tech program benefited me.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2020 8:18 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 20:18:58 -0400

Tech Pros:
federal employment (you are eligible for other tech or regular federal jobs hiring current)
no overtime: you must go home at 1630 or whatever the 8 hour day is
does not hold back your MDAY advancement, your tech position has nothing to do with your MDAY assignment or promotions
Regular step advancements and cash bonuses
FERS retirement
You can mob with your unit or any unit taking volunteers, your tech job is guaranteed
Tech cons:
mostly limited to HR, surface maintenance and aviation maintenance

AGR pros:
You sort of do your MDAY job fulltime
Tricare Prime
active duty retirement (not bad for most states other than CA and NY)
Opportunity for T10 AGR at NGB
You can only mob with your assigned unit
AGR cons
if you think you hate overtime now, wait till you're AGR
promotions limited to AGR allocations, if you are in a small or medium state, there might be 10-15 E8 AGR positions, and maybe 1 is your MOS or an 00F that will take your MOS. You will likely retire as an E7, possibly as an E6 at your RCP. If you don't already hold 42A or 92Y as a secondary MOS, you should seriously consider getting one of those and taking at least one of those jobs to increase promotability.
If you want to mob with another unit, you might have to resign AGR with no guarantee of rehire when you get back

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Oct 8 at 2020 9:25 AM

SSG Steven Borders — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 09:25:12 -0400

You could always come over to the Reserve side of the house and be a MIL Tech or AGR as well. Mr. Borders doesn't make as much as SSG Borders but I still make pretty good money for the Spokane Area. I actually enjoy being a MIL Tech only gripe is that it requires the Reserves.