What are the pros and cons of Reserve AGR (not NG)? I've done research and have heard good and bad.

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 12:32:53 -0500

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 5 at 2016 1:15 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 13:15:29 -0500

I recommend you broaden this question and tag Army Reserve to get a wider range of responses from those who have been accepted into and rejected from the AGR program SFC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 5 at 2016 1:19 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 13:19:28 -0500

I know with AGR some folks have to drive a long distance from their house to the duty station because a commiserate position opened up for a promotion. I don't know about the Reserve side.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 1:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 13:37:04 -0500

It is different, AGR work must of the time by them self, (No help), You will have to help to the other personal (others AGR in your Unit, Maintenance, Supply, Administration...) it is a lot more responsibility. But in the end it is good experiences.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 3:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 15:26:26 -0500

Pros; tremendous amount of time with family! Amp enough time to complete school!

Cons; just the pay ; lack of structure depending on the unit!

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jan 5 at 2016 3:48 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 15:48:59 -0500

Good or Bad is what you make of it, just remember that you work for the soldiers and that it is your job to ensure that the unit commander does a good job, so you have great responsibilities and yes you also work/serve during drills, no time off for that.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Jan 5 at 2016 8:51 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 20:51:52 -0500

Send me an email and I will tell you all I know. I have been in the AGR since 2002...best kept secret in the Army....(it use to be). Once we make contact I will give you my .mil address and we can go from there.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2016 7:38 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 07:38:56 -0500

I have had to balance multiple positions at once due to personnel shortages. Not all slots are filled so you pull extra duty until it is, if ever, filled.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Jan 6 at 2016 1:59 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 13:59:48 -0500

When I left active duty for the NG it was hard because my MOS was not available.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2016 2:03 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 14:03:18 -0500

It's a nice easy job, you likely won't be near military installations, It's difficult to get into the program, the job requires high self performing work ethics and discipline.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2016 4:55 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:55:57 -0500

The selective reserve is where to go

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2016 9:36 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:36:17 -0500

As a reserve AGR you have to be willing to work independently and sometimes in different skill sets...for example, your units HR NCO is PCSing and the unit doesn't get a replacement for months or even up to a year, someone has to cover down because they were the only full time HR. You don't necessarily have to know everything, but you need to know where to look and not afraid to ask questions. On the other hand, I love the responsibility, I have been active duty, Reserve TPU and Reserve AGR. As with everything you have to take the good with the bad.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2016 11:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 23:29:28 -0500

SGT Lewis,
The pros is that you are on Active Duty w/ all the entitlements associated w/ that. The cons were mentioned in some of the posts- you won't have a big staff to draw upon therefore you may have to cover down on a lot of duties. I'm AGR Reserves, and I have no regrets.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Jan 7 at 2016 7:11 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 07:11:56 -0500

Know your MOS and be a 'People' person as more than 90% of your challenges will be Human Resource related. Get to know your people and you will encourage their support to ensure a Successful Unit Hooah???

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 2:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:00:21 -0500

By this being my first AGR tour, the pros is being considered active and receiving the same benefits as an active soldier. Also, there's room for growth and being full-time at the reserve will help you better understand the units mission. The cons are what mostly everyone said: limited personnel. Also, you'll most likely have to move to another state on your initial tour and at any other time. Lastly, if you prefer not to be present at a promotion board, this will be something to get use to.