Squirt

I'm a 99 Major in the Guard and am currently in an AGR slot. I was approached today and offered a full time ART at the GS-13 Step 4 level with bonuses. I realize there are a lot of variables involved with transitioning. First, let me say I'm NOT on the bonus yet. I've got a year and change until I'm eligible in the guard. I was told the pay would be around $110K a year not including TDYs and Drill pay. I was also told that I could transition BACK into an AGR in a year-ish and take the bonus on time. I realize there are risks involved (ie. the possibility of not having an AGR position when I want back in). I know about paying for health care, and state income taxes (instead of milking FL residency while on AD AGR orders).

My question to you all is, would this be a smart choice or should I stay AGR and not risk it? My unit will be deploying (due to a rwy construction project) this summer and I will be going for 5 wks at a time. I'm NOT smart on this stuff and would appreciate any of the corporate knowledge. Thanks for the help!

Squirt

TBoneF15

Dude, what'd they tell you the benefit would be? Just money? It can't be that big of a bump, depending on your BAH up there. In fact, if that number is correct, you might easily end up making more as an AGR when you factor all that stuff in. Realize a year of ART pushes you down the road for AD retirement, too.

I look at it this way: I've never heard of an AGR dude waiting around for an ART job to open up. I always hear about ARTs waiting for AGRs to open up. There's probably a reason for that.

There's a lot riding on POM 10. Not sure I'd give up the AGR spot now. You have no idea what it's gonna look like in a year or two.

hindsight2020

Bingo, the retirement benefits far surpass that of the ART job. The pay differential is not substantial enough to give up full AD cheese for civil service. Stay AGR.

SGRogue

I did the AGR thing in the Reserves until collecting an AD retirement. Sure makes this airline gig a lot easier knowing that the mortgage & medical are covered. Like was said before, I don't know many AGRs that went ART, but I know quite a few ARTs that went AGR. The nice part of going from ART to AGR, is that you have return rights within 5 years (I assume the Guard is the same). No guaranteed promises of return when you go from AGR to ART that I know of.

webecheck

hey rogue, question for you. once you get an AGR job, my understanding is that you can sign a contract for 1 to 6 years. is that correct? also, what happens after your initial contract is up? do they let you re-sign so you can stay active until 20? i can leave AD AF in 2 years and i think AGR is my calling. however, i will have 11.5 years in and dont want to walk away from a bonus and an immediate retirement at 20 years. can you shed some light on this for me? pm me if you can find the time. thx man.

jetIP

Sorry for butting in here, im not Rouge, but I think I can answer your question. Your first tour as an AGR will be probationary. If I remember right, it was three years. You will then meet whats called a "career status" board. That board is where you get your job to 20, and an active retirement. You will be eligible for generally the same bonus' as the active duty dudes. The Guard/Reserve bonus system is supposed to "closely mirror" the active system. Big difference is you only get yearly installmenst, without any half lump sum up front.
I've been an AGR for over 10 years, got 9 years of the 25k bonus, and have had control of my career. I know the thread started as an ART vs AGR thread. They are really two totally separate animals. I would never trade an AGR for ART. AGR is the best kept secret in the service. All the benefits but wwwaaaayyyyy less pain, and in so many circumstances, you retain control of your life.

SGRogue

I have been AD retired for almost 2 years & things may have changed, but here we go. Most initial Reserve AGR tours are 4 years. Sometimes we could work a 5 year initial for a pilot. As JetIp stated, you do meet a "career selection board" towards the end of your initial tour. If tagged as a career AGR, you can apply & PCS to other AGR positions or extend (1 to 5 years) in your current position. Regardless of board results, you can return/change to TR status, exercise your ART return rights if available, or just walk away. Each new AGR PCS/extension is a new "contract". Just like AD, you will need to compete/posture for promotions (filling all the squares, etc.), especially for O6. This may require a PCS, since most AGR flying jobs stagnate at the O4 level. Only a hand full in the units are O5s. As an O4, don't expect to go much past 20 AD years. They used to let guys hang around indefinately, but just like AD, it created a backlog for promotions. You can't double billet an AGR like you can a TR.

Reserve ACP is in line with the AD side, but budgeted differently & hence the yearly vs. lump sum payment. It normally will run concurrent with your AGR contract, but can short change you if not started simultaneously (i.e. you are only bonus eligible for the last 2 years of a 4 year contract = 15K vs 25K/year).

If you know of an AGR job you want 2 years from now, start net working it now! You can apply once you have a separation date & in a perfect world, make a seamless transition (a break inservice can be a pain when accounting for points towards retirement). Most jobs are advertised 4-6 months ahead of fill requirement. Although there is a filter process, most selections are made in house. Not too sure if this web site is correct, but information about vacancies and application procedures, as well as more details on the program is available on the AGR Management Office’s restricted Web site at http://www.re.hq.af.mil/agr/agrhome2.html.

Squirt

Copy, sounds like a unanimous vote. If I had a few years to bonus it might make more sense, but with 1 year left it's a lot of ass pain for what seems to be not much benefit. I'll stay AGR. Thanks for the help/experiences!