USN to AGR ANG
Good evening BG,
I’m an active duty USN F-35C Panther driver who is very interested in full time ANG opportunities. I’m a fully qualified Team Lead, 4-ship instructor, and I have admin instructor quals as well. Currently teaching at the FRS (B-course equivalent) and I’ll be heading back to the fleet next year for a two year tour. I believe I’m a good candidate for AGR but I’m not a great candidate such as a TOPGUN graduate.
I’m currently about 3 years from my earliest separation opportunity. Do you think I could benefit from purchasing one month of BG Pro or one session of one-on-one coaching to formulate a strategy? I’m not quite convinced I’ll stand out from native USAF F-35 types and I have questions on how I could be a stand out candidate before I begin formally rushing units next year.
Thank you for your time,
-Michael “Haboob” Ditzler
Haboob,
Thanks for the post and good luck on the process!
Full-Time jobs at Fighter squadrons are usually pretty competitive and more often than not filled from within. A lot of times, squadrons will want you to get on the team in a part-time role to sort of build your reputation before considering you for a full-time gig as they're finite within a squadron. That said, there are usually opportunities to "Guard Bum" through Alert (ADOS) days, Air Force Flying Training Periods, TDYs, etc. Even if you aren't technically Full-Time, you can usually string together orders to make it work until a Full-Time slot comes open/ you settle into the squadron.
That said, being an instructor in the jet certainly is marketable. I'd suggest just making your intentions known as you start to rush and see what they have to say. You may find the right fit/opportunity based on timing/manning.
Hope that helps!
-CHAOS
CHAOS, this helps a lot, thank you! Would you recommend starting the “Guard Burn” at my current point being 3 years out, or wait until inside 2?
Haboob,
Great question! I am sure there are a lot of RATED folks in our community trying to figure out the best path and strategy to get into the ANG. "Guard Bum" is a beloved term that applies to folks who are currently in the Air National Guard and use their connections to string orders together so that it becomes a "Full-Time Guard" job. That term is different than Active-Guard Reserve (AGR) which typically is a single, long-term order (3+ years) and looks/smells like active duty orders (without the threat of PCS).
Based on your scenario and timing, I would highly recommend a 1-on-1 General Strategy Session with one of our coaches who have been through your exact process. Two of our coaches, Humpty Gallup and Twinkie Smith, were former USMC pilots who successfully transitioned to the ANG and would be able to speak holistically to the process of transitioning between services!
Best of luck!
@smax thank you SMAX, I appreciate the info!
Haboob,
As Smax mentioned, I was in a similar position making the transition from USMC active duty to the FANG. Happy to talk through the 20 different types of orders you can get in the ANG and how a typical unit will work with you post transition. Feel free to DM/ email me or set up a General Strategy Session, and we can start a convo to get your questions answered and/or the ball rolling. Cheers- Twinkie.
Twinkie thanks Twinkie! I’m Lemoore based and I met DJ the other week, talking to him was actually a huge part of driving me this direction.
mikeditzler@gmail.com Jumping back in here, but it looks like the SMEs already hit you up with all the goodness. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out, and good luck on your quest!
