Posted on Feb 6, 2019
WO1 Aviation Maintenance Operations
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I am considering getting in to the Dual Status Mil-Tech program and UA positions seem to be positions that are always in high demand. I know the importance of a great UA, but is the demand because of a high turnover rate?

Other questions I have are:
Does any one have information regarding their experience as a UA?
Did you have training that prior to assuming the position?
What was your process after applying?
How was it balancing Tech and TPU duties?

Thanks in advance!
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Responses: 3
SSG Steven Borders
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Edited 5 y ago
I am currently in it right now as a GS7. It is kind of a love hate relationship. It is hard to draw that line of NCO/Civilian with my units. As I am a UAT for the 659th En Co and the only NCO for the 643rd. So, I often do NCO stuff as a UAT and visa versa. So, it almost feels like I am active duty again. You don't get tricare as a UAT which I wish I could have it back. I guess everyone's experience is different.
As for training, I got my training almost a year after I started. Most people get burnt out of it though, because you cover everything if you don't have AGR's. All, in all it is a great foot step in the GS world.
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WO1 Aviation Maintenance Operations
WO1 (Join to see)
5 y
SSG Steven Borders I appreciate that response. I'm looking at it as a way into that GS world. In your opinion, is getting burned out why UAs have that high turnover? And many of the Unit Administrators positions I see are GS9.

The training AFTER being in the position sounds pretty Army.
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SSG Steven Borders
SSG Steven Borders
5 y
WO1 (Join to see) Sir, yes it is very Army. You do training at Fort Knox when you go as a civilian. The best class in my opinion was the Pay Course. The UA basic course was ok, I felt they could have had more hands on stuff. And the ARCET class was a joke. Waste of time in my opinion.

Yes, I can easily see why there is a high turnover rate with the job. We don't get overtime we get comp time, and well that gets old fast. I work 4 10's and well having that Monday off especially after BA is nice. I think that is the one benefit I like so much about my position. Now if it became a DAC position I would easily leave the military and just go straight civilian.

Sir, what unit did you get transferred to in Tacoma? Just curious, that is where my BN is at. I am over in Fairchild AFB, WA.
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LTC Self Employed
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I can't give you my opinion of the you a job but I'm really appreciative of all the help they have done for me. I usually email or call them concerning getting my proof of weekend drill attendance signed off by the commander that I can use for my local voucher reimbursement. I really appreciate all the work the full-time staff does at the Battalion and Brigade level.
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WO1 Aviation Maintenance Operations
WO1 (Join to see)
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Thank you LTC (Join to see) for the response sir. I know that they play a major role in my past unit as well. Great continuity between Drill and the rest of the month.
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LTC Self Employed
LTC (Join to see)
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WO1 (Join to see) I recently joined a unit in Tacoma. I had transferred from one Army reserve unit to another. I had to go to a mission planning conference and my DTS was not ready. Originally they were going to put me and pay me with unit training assemblies they found out they couldn't do that due to the fiscal year change. Your unit administrator went ahead and cut me today orders to pay for my mission planning conference after the fact. I thanked by email and in person when I finally had a face-to-face with the unit administrator later. Miracles can happen especially when you are transferring units.
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LTC Self Employed
LTC (Join to see)
3 y
SGT Somjai Deginda This dod civilian is a staff sergeant in the reserves besides being Gs-7/8 employee Who works hand-in-hand with the G8 and approves all the local vouchers. I am working at the one star division level and those people are friendly. Maybe I am lucky.
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SSG Environmental Specialist
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I was a UA for two different units, I liked the position, pay was OK for my area, GS7 is what the UA position is for my area. I think it depends on your unit and the higher command. I was pretty much left alone to do my own thing in my first unit. My second unit it was the commander, there are certain things that require the commanders signature only not yours signing for him and he was impossible to get in touch with. The biggest thing with dual status is when the uniform is gone the job is gone.
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WO1 Aviation Maintenance Operations
WO1 (Join to see)
5 y
SSG (Join to see) The general consensus I'm getting is that a supportive unit makes the difference.
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