Full-time Guard

[jmitchell82]

I am considering joining the ARNG as a 31B. The role of the military police in state and federal deployments seems to be one of extreme importance. I definitely want to enlist with this MOS. I do have a bachelor's degree but want to enlist first before considering OCS to become an officer. I recently heard about full-time positions in the Guard and was wondering what branch one would pick in order to be active in the Guard. I would think the Supply branch (Quartermaster?) would definitely be the best branch to join to be full-time. I looked at fulltimeguard.com and it seems that the enlisted jobs are for e-6 and e-7 postions and some 0-2 positions for commisioned officers. Unfortunately the page for Texas National Guard postitions is unavailable. Some comments from those that are full-time in the Guard or are considering this route would be greatly appreciated.

[WV EOD tech]

I'm not AGR but I can just tell what I've observed. There are AGR slot for almost all branches. As far as officer AGR, those are mostly found at the battalion and higher, where you find the Administarative Officer and Training/Operations Officer working. Those are almost always the XO and S-3 respectively. It depends on what units your state is stacked with. Since your state's site is down, check out other states'. State headquarters and USPFOs are similiar thoughout. Hope this helps.

[SteveLord]

Supply and Recruiting are probably the most wanted fulltime positions out there.

[LT_77]

Entry level AGR positions for officers are usually of the 01 to 03 variety. As previously stated, they are usually at BN level or higher. A few positions come to mind: Training Officer, S4 Officer, Recruiting/Retention, etc etc...

Units can have an S4 officer, or other times they might have a WO in that position. Training officer is not limited to S3 or XO, as an example I'm in the TO role right now and our AO is our S3. I've seen other units where the Battalion CDR is also the full time AO. AO's are not entry level...

From what I've seen, it is a rare case where an officer (m-day) is hired into an AGR slot without having served in a full time (temp) status previously. AGR slots are indeed hard to come by, so you have to get your foot in the door first, get your name out there and impress the right people. I have seen CPTs come in off of AD with a lot of experience and move into an AGR slot, but as far as LT's go....I have yet to see that happen. Right now there are a lot of LTs working in a temp status in the JFHQ, Recruiting, and other status' waiting for AGR slots to open up.

Another thing you have to consider, it matters NOT what the position is, you interview for it, because at the end of the day AGR is AGR. I've been working as the Trainer since June, but will interview in a couple weeks for an S4 position. Sure, it's supply and logistics, but (if I get it) it will enhance my resume and get me on board full time. If it were a "polish door knobs Officer" position, you'd bet I'd still be interviewing for it.

Just some thoughts from someone who has seen a little bit of the system and is trying to get in as well. :cool:

[Mr_Loki]

I am whats called ADSW (Active Duty Special Work). It's just like AGR with some different details.

As ADSW, you get paid through your company. So, if your company doesnt have any money, they wont put the application out. We get the same benefits as AGR. ADSW is a majority of E5's and below, sot hey can get their foot in the door.

Im having a brain dump right now so ill fill it later

[SteveLord]

I am whats called ADSW (Active Duty Special Work). It's just like AGR with some different details.

As ADSW, you get paid through your company. So, if your company doesnt have any money, they wont put the application out. We get the same benefits as AGR. ADSW is a majority of E5's and below, sot hey can get their foot in the door.

Im having a brain dump right now so ill fill it later

The biggest difference being that you need orders cut (sometimes on a regular basis depending) compared to AGR which is kind of like a contracted position if Im not mistaken.

I tried ADSW for supply post deployment, but the money was terrible. Like $200 a week + orders had to be cut every week when I could get twice that from unemployment and still be home/available during the day.

[LT_77]

there are several pots of money from which you can pull from...sounds like you were on 71 money (RMAs), which are typically M-F orders and yes, the pay isn't as good.

ADSW, now referred to as ADOS, can have orders from 6 months to a year (or anything in between)...

I've been on ADOS since June, get full pay plus BAH and sep rats just like AGR guys. On AGR you have an initial 3 year tour, then you submit a renewal packet. Once you get renewed, you are good :cool:

[Phantom]

I am ADSW til end of Sept. I get the full pay, BAH, and everything. I know a few guys that did some RMAs and the pay foe those is horrible just like LT said. You learn alot being on long term orders or AGR.