Posted on 08/09/2010 1:39:47 PM PDT by HushTX
No source, this isn't a blog post or news article. I have some questions that I am hoping can be answered by folks with more experience and information.
I have done some research, but am not entirely sure of my findings.
I am going to enlist in the Army National Guard. There are a number of reasons I am choosing the Guard over regular Army, not the least of which is the ability to remain within the state of Texas (which has its own reasons for being a concern).
Still, I want to enlist as a full time Guard, rather than the one weekend a month/two weeks a year option. I have read that this falls under Title 32 or Title 10, but beyond that the information I can locate online is questionable in its reliability. I'm hoping there are some recruiters or, better yet, MEPS counselors on FR that can help me solidify my understanding before I proceed.
I meet with the recruiter tomorrow, and would like to be as informed as possible. Is it accurate that Title 32 means I will be a full time (active?) Guard, while remaining within the state?
Also, does anyone know how that needs to be stated in the contract?
I'm sure I will have more questions, so please bear with me. Also, thanks in advance to anyone who can assist.
Well good luck, hope you figure it out.
All I know about full-time as Guard is it is one of the eligibility requirements for the Housing allowance, $650 a month :)
I’m enlisted, since I’m doing the SMP program, which means I am both enlisted and contracted with ROTC. I won’t have any experience with full-time status or anything for another 3 years. :p
I have no info on that, but good luck and thanks for wishing to serve.
The Guard is a part-time operation as is the reserves. However after basic training you can request to be activated for a year at a time. I am retired USAFR and AD USAF. I was a fly guy we were also known as reserve bums as we flew more missions than the ad folks they were stuck with crew rest requirements but as a reservist we could waive the rest requirements.. My personal suggestion would be to join the ANG Air national Guard they get activated as often as the Army Guard. Beware you do become eligible to go to the sand box in Iraq or Afghanistan upon completion of basic training and tech school......
/johnny
Check with Arrowhead (been in the TANG since 1973)
Straps is incorrect.
As a 13 year Guard veteran, I know you can be full-time Guard. Honestly, I don’t know how these folks got that position, though.
Best bet: go talk directly with a FT unit admin or supply clerk, NOT the recruiter. Walk in to any local armory and ask the full time staff. They are going to be able to explain it to you better than anyone.
Title 10 is active duty.
Many people want to be ‘full time’ National Guard, the only question is, do they want you and are their openings? The states only have a certain number of slots and when they are full, they are full.
The other issue with full time Guard, the higher rank, the less slots that are available. To get promoted at higher ranks, you need a control grade. Sometimes you have to wait until somone retires, quits or dies to get promoted.
Hope this helps.
Straps is incorrect.
As a 13 year Guard veteran, I know you can be full-time Guard. Honestly, I don’t know how these folks got that position, though.
Best bet: go talk directly with a FT unit admin or supply clerk, NOT the recruiter. Walk in to any local armory and ask the full time staff. They are going to be able to explain it to you better than anyone.
their = there
I don’t know about Texas but in my “state” the AGR (full time) positions are very limited, and they’re not usually handed out or offered to new arrivals. It takes some experience to fill a position that’s usually for unti administrators, staff, instructors, etc.
I’ve been both AGR and M-Day (full and part-time), and usually those in AGR positions hold on to them until they are forced to retire. I was the unusual case that resigned from AGR to return to M-Day.
Title 32 means state controlled active duty but that you will serve your term within the state is not assured. They can very easily pull you from your AGR position and mobilize you at any time just like any other Guardsman.
What sort of Texas Army Guard unit? — Supply and Transport Support Battalion, Medical Unit, etc.
What sort of MOS (Military Occupation Specialty)?
Shooting to be an officer or enlisted?
Plan to try for 20 years or just going in for six?
Do you have an “interruptible” civilian type career or trade — fireman = okay, small business owner where the business dies when you leave for active deployments = not okay.
Activation is obviously fine with me. I’m more concerned about maintaining my residence in Texas, for multiple reasons. If I am activated and sent elsewhere in the country, or even abroad, that doesn’t change my state of residence.
I can completely understand full time Guard positions being reserved for those who earn them through service and seniority. I hadn’t considered that they were so limited, and I certainly want to “earn my stripes.”
I’m still going to ask about this, and try to score a FT position if it’s possible, but will not think ill of anyone if it’s simply not possible.
I want to serve, I am absolutely willing to go overseas and be mobilized. I just want to keep my actual residence in Texas.
Since I am in the guard maybe I can shed some light on this...
There are positions in your state which support the guard. some of these are called full time technicians. Say you are a mechanic on your weekend drills..the state has full time technicians that work at certain armories that support your unit. Supply clerks is another one. You must be in the guard to get these positions.Once your in the guard and past basic and your mos school, you come back and look at the big board at your armory of posted jobs (or go online) then find one you are qualified for and apply.
(most of these jobs require you stay in the guard as a condition of employment, for as long as you have that job)
Then look on the board later on..some other position might have opened up with a higher pay grade and a chance for promotion..re-apply as needed. There are also full time active guard positions that work the same way..
You show up for work in uniform...have every other Friday off (NJ) and get paid the 1st and 15th of every month
..and I have seen some shops unionized.
Good luck!
MOS, as always, is a mutable consideration. I have my preferences. I made a list, actually. But I understand that when it comes down to the grind stone, it’s about what the Army needs over what I want.
I would like to eventually pursue commission. Once I have finished my degree (not long now), I will look into OCS and hopefully become an officer.
This is not a short-term goal. It’s not a whim, or play time. This is something in the making for many years, and I am finally pursuing it. I intend to make my military service my career. This isn’t about getting money for college, or just getting training and getting out. This is for the long haul.
I am not engaged in any activity or business that will suffer from extended deployments, unless you count the strain on a marriage. At worst it means I have to wait before I take more college courses, or I have to miss a few seasons of softball.
Your HOR (home of record) won’t change from Texas unless you change it, regardless of where your orders take you. Unless you end up at NGB (National Guard Bureau) in DC, you’re extremely unlikely to get permanently assigned outside Texas.
AGRs are under Title 32, which is the “organize, train and equip” function that justifies the federal government providing your pay and benefits. They are, as has been noted, pretty hard to come by.
On the ANG side, there are ART (Air Reserve Technician) slots available at most Guard units that have iron (airplanes), and they’re also full-time, but civilian during the week and military on UTA (unit training assembly) weekends.
Bottom line: to start with, get a slot, get initial and tech training and start pulling duty. Go from there. And welcome.
Colonel, USAFR
bolobaby is right. You should present yourself to a fulltime NG admin specialist to determine your answer. Full time Guard positions are called AGR positions (or they were - could’ve changed). To apply for an AGR position, you have to be in the Guard so you’ll have to do basic training and a military occupation skill school, i.e., you enlist.
There used to be a federal jobs digest for the military but I’ve not seen one in a long time. I’ll have to get back to you on this. It may still be published. This digest showed AGR openings by state. It could now all be online rather than a printed version.
I don’t know what city you are in but most places do have a local NG unit. It may not be in the particular specialty that appeals to you but that is a choice you have to make.
You could also call STARC in Austin. State Headquarters, Texas Area Command. Likewise, the 149th Personnel Support Battalion and the 71st Troop Command (both in Austin) will be able to answer your questions. Give them a call.
Hope this helps somewhat. Good luck and thanks for your service.
I would personally visit your state Adjutant General Office or similar command structure for your state and tell them you want guidance as to how to pursue and zero in on a Officer track enlistment for as close to a full time career with the Texas Guard as you can achieve.
I bet they give you a recruiter type appointment but you can drill down to the specifics of what units are near where you desire to live etc.
Title 32 is State and Title 10 is Federal.
First note, once you enlist in any branch of the Federal active reserve forces, you may very well be called upon to serve on active duty with the Army or the Air Force, sooner or later, and these days the active duty is very likely to be one of the overseas expeditionary forces.
The following links may provide you with some insight to the many types of full time military occupations wit the Guard And Reserve military careers.
http://www.wantscheck.com/GuardReserve/GuardReserveHiring/tabid/74/Default.aspx
http://www.azguard.gov/HRO/documents/Technian_Handbook.pdf
As others have observed, talk to the present members of the units before seeing the recruiter/s.
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