Posted on Sep 10, 2020
What are the pros and cons of going Regular Army vs AGR?
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I started out as Regular Army and ETSed after my initial contract. In my final year of IRR I started getting the calling again and decided to go into the Reserves. So far the Reserves is not satisfying that calling I have. Right now my life does not seem complete and I want to go full time Army again. I have been tossing around Regular Army vs AGR in my head for a while now.
I miss the Regular Army Soldier experience but at the same time the AGR seems to be a much more relaxed environment with less shenanigans. The problem I see with the AGR though is that you are kind of on your own with a lot of things while in the Regular Army you have a team to back you up.
If any of you want to throw out some experiences you or someone you know have had or just want to state some pros and cons of each I would much appreciate it. Thanks for your time.
I miss the Regular Army Soldier experience but at the same time the AGR seems to be a much more relaxed environment with less shenanigans. The problem I see with the AGR though is that you are kind of on your own with a lot of things while in the Regular Army you have a team to back you up.
If any of you want to throw out some experiences you or someone you know have had or just want to state some pros and cons of each I would much appreciate it. Thanks for your time.
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Army Reserve Elements
AGR Army Reserve Elements
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 5
To add to what 1SG (Join to see) said... AGR is a whole different animal. You don’t get to reenlist for your duty station of choice. You don’t have as much control over your future. Not so say you have no control, but it’s different. The AGR philosophy is “If you don’t like what we’re offering you can GTFO because someone else will take it. It’s crazy to see RC personnel competing over a position that AD would snub their nose up at if you put them side by side.
AGR is a great program when you’re coming at it from the right direction. You’re not an NCO, you’d do better in AD or else in the RC first and becoming an NCO. Don’t carry that mentality that everyone is chill because most of those chill NCOs on AGR have earned their stripes on deployments and hard work. It’s a common misconception that AGR is laid back and does nothing. On top of that AGR is very competitive. It’s usually not as simple as just applying. If you aren’t ahead of your peers in some way, you probably are not competitive.
My experience with AGR is that some were douchey, some were excellent, most were more experienced than their AD peers. All that I met were ahead of their peers in some way or other. Usually degrees, years of experience, or just excellent performers. If you’re not one of those, it’s probably not your route
AGR is a great program when you’re coming at it from the right direction. You’re not an NCO, you’d do better in AD or else in the RC first and becoming an NCO. Don’t carry that mentality that everyone is chill because most of those chill NCOs on AGR have earned their stripes on deployments and hard work. It’s a common misconception that AGR is laid back and does nothing. On top of that AGR is very competitive. It’s usually not as simple as just applying. If you aren’t ahead of your peers in some way, you probably are not competitive.
My experience with AGR is that some were douchey, some were excellent, most were more experienced than their AD peers. All that I met were ahead of their peers in some way or other. Usually degrees, years of experience, or just excellent performers. If you’re not one of those, it’s probably not your route
Does AGR perform super critical jobs beyond the capability of civilians? They have to be way more expensive than a civil servant.
CPT (Join to see)
They are more expensive, and the main thing I can see with their value is, when deployed they could do with the unit.
MAJ Ronnie Reams
Well, the civilians are in reserve/guard. I think the non military civilians were phased out last century
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Every AGR supply sergeant is the MTOE supply sergeant. Virtually every AGR position except training and readiness NCO’s are performing the functions they’d perform if the unit was deployed. It creates continuity and we don’t get paid overtime or have a union, meaning the Army can abuse us as mission dictates. I’m not sure what you’re talking about “the civilians are in the guard/reserve”
MAJ Ronnie Reams
I believe that the GS and WG personnel have to be in the reserve/guard. Guard in a compatible slot, Reserve, not so much. After the War there were civilian personnel that had no affiliation with the Guard/Reserve, but I think they were gone by the late 20th Century.
You should know, that with a few exceptions in the maintenance and supply fields, most AGR positions are sdmin or admin support jobs. Training and operations, personnel and commo jobs. You won't necessarily have the same experience as you had in active duty and may not find the satisfaction you think you are looking for. (However, being in HR, an AGR position may be the right fit. ) The other thing you should know is that there are very few, if any AGR positions for E4 anymore. Budget cuts are eliminating those positions and redistributing those responsibilities among more senior positions.
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I am not calling you a liar or anything, or trying to disrespect you. Sorry if I came off as that way. I appreciate everything you said and taking time to give me more insight.
Oh, and there is no coasting as an S1. 80% of the readiness trackers are going to be Personnel related. Fall behind on those and Generals know down to the company level. Brigade commanders know because the Generals know, and Battalion commanders know because the COL's know, and company commanders know, because the BC knows.