You have to choose between an AGR enlisted position and TPU officer position. Which do you go with?

2018-08-06T11:33:05-04:00

I'm about to turn 32. I've been both selected for OCS as a TPU soldier and offered an AGR position on the enlisted side. If I accept the AGR position, OCS is out of the question due to my age and AGR status. I have a good amount of student loan debt, and PSLF is my best bet for getting debt free. I know I could apply for appointment into the AGR program as an officer further down the road, but I know there are no guarantees in choosing this route. Any guidance you can offer is greatly appreciated.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Aug 6 at 2018 12:17 PM

2018-08-06T12:17:27-04:00

If you ultimately want to become an officer, don't turn it down now that you have the offer. Things could tighten up on you in a very short time.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2018 12:32 PM

2018-08-06T12:32:41-04:00

Depends on your goals and where you are in your career. Personally, I would go to OCS and re-apply for AGR as an officer after earning my commission.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Aug 6 at 2018 12:35 PM

2018-08-06T12:35:09-04:00

Change is constant and your battlefield dynamic, so choose what you are most comfortable with making your career path. Having said that, if being a commissioned officer is your ultimate goal then, go to OCS. If becoming debt-free is your Everest then, student loan repayment program is best and that can either be enlisted or in the officer track. OCS has been great for some, but a back-stabbing experience for others; its a mixed bag. A few like me start enlisted and bridge over into the Officers Corps later. The choice is your own to make.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2018 1:13 PM

2018-08-06T13:13:11-04:00

Another option is to apply for federal active duty OCS if your ultimate goal is to become an officer on full-time status. If AGR is where you want to be, apply for it toward the end of your active contract.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Aug 6 at 2018 10:15 PM

2018-08-06T22:15:50-04:00

AGR = Assholes Getting Rich

Response by COL Thomas F. made Aug 7 at 2018 5:27 PM

2018-08-07T17:27:24-04:00

I was a mustang too, but I went ROTC. First off, do you want to be an officer because of the extra pay, or because of what we do as a corps? If you have a desire to lead formations and manage staff sections, then jump on board. Glad to have you. At 32 you're getting a little old to be a 2LT and that opportunity might not be there in the future. Second, you'll need to understand what the difference is between an AGR officer and a TPU officer. While this may sound weird, there is one major differences. AGR officers, by regulation, are there to support the Commander in conducting operations. We are not looked at in a command track unlike what you see in the TPU world. (Lots of history on that one topic alone). If you want to be a hard charging engineer officer (or whatever the Army commissions you as), go AC, get the same pay, and get more opportunities to do cool things - Airborne, Ranger, Sapper, etc (if you haven't got those yet) before you get too old. 32 sounds young but 42 will creep up on you quick so do the Hooah stuff ASAP. Travel the world - blow something up. As an AGR, you will be assigned to support mainly CONUS USAR units (with the few exceptions) on their staffs and basically kept in your career field. AGR is not big on jumping branches unlike the TPU side where they could seem to care less if go EN to LOG to MP to whatever (lots more on that too). AGRs are also looked at as the unit SMEs as we are there 24/7 for 2-4 years. We are the ones the Commander goes to make sure the unit is both operationally and doctrinally on track. If that's what you want to do, we'll support you in your decision because that's what we as an Army do.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2018 9:30 AM

2018-09-07T09:30:37-04:00

I am an AGR 56M. You will have the same opportunities as Regular Army. You can apply for OCS, get deployed, go to any classes (Ranger, sapper or anything else). We do not operate like other AGR Soldiers. We are assigned and mixed in with RA Soldiers. There is literally no difference between us and them. I am currently in Chaplain recruiting with RA Soldiers. My battle is stationed at Ft. Knox and assigned to an RA Chaplain. We get regular assignments. So, it's really up to you on that. We are very unique within the Corps.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Oct 12 at 2019 6:01 AM

2019-10-12T06:01:46-04:00

You're lucky you're prior enlisted, I wasnt, had I been, I'd have been far more prepared when I'd gone from Army ROTC to USAF OTS...I hear about the debt, though I'd that's what you've got, I'd do the IS A now just to have it done, honest...if posbl, I'd also try doing grad school, once that'd be done, also...elaborate if you can, assocs,bach, grades, majors, GPAs, STEM 've non-STANdard stuff you've done other svcs you've looked at for intersvc at all, it's help to know more, to try to suggest more for you, I'd you can elaborate, as I'd said, OK?