Health & Fitness
In 1983 Was Hired as a Department of Army Civilian Then Active Guard Reserve (AGR)
U.S. Army Reserve's Military Technician Program and Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Soldiers
As I had stated in a prior blog
"In 1982 Michigan led the nation in unemployment with 14.5%. The peak of the
recession was in November and December 1982, when the nationwide unemployment rate was 10.8%, highest since The Great Depression. So, out of desperation I found out that the Michigan Army National Guard had full time positions so I figured some money was better than no money."
But interview after interview from June, 1982 through November 1983, I just could not land one of those full time National Guard posiitions.
Find out what's happening in Farmington-Farmington Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Then in November, 1983 while reviewing job postings at the Michigan Employment Security Commission I came across the following job description:
"The U.S. Army Reserve's Military Technician Program support Army Reserve units. Legislated by Congress, the Program has a Dual Status force with members who work Reserve-related issues during their day jobs as civil servants, while also serving as soldiers in Army Reserve units. Miltechs provide continuity in unitsand perform necessary tasks and missions."
Find out what's happening in Farmington-Farmington Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
It took one interview and I was hired and became a Department of the Army Civilian GS-5 (The General Schedule (GS) is the predominant pay scale within the United States civil service. The GS-1 through GS-7 range generally marks entry-level positions). Of course I had to transfer from the Michigan Army National Guard to the Army Reserve as a condition of employment but I had my foot in the door.
By August, 1985 I had worked myself up to GS-7. That is when I was advised to apply for an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) posiiton which would significantly increase my income.
Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Soldiers serve full time and enjoy the same benefits and entitlements of Active Duty Soldiers, including full pay, medical care for themselves and their immediate family and the opportunity for retirement after 20 years of Active Service. Soldiers serving within the AGR Program are stationed worldwide in positions that directly support the Army Reserve.
My duty assignments included:
831119 - 840707
HHD, 1ST BN, 329TH REGIMENT, 2D
BRIGADE, 70TH DIVISION (TRAINING)
Flint, Michigan
840707 - 850818
HHC, TRAINING COMMAND, 70TH
DIVISION (TRAINING)
Fraser, Michigan
850818 - 900917
CO A, (Staff & Faculty),
70th DIVISION (TRAINING)
Fraser, Michigan
