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Army changes policy for AGR extensions

by Daphne Hart

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, March 3, 2003) -- The Army has changed the process for extending Active Guard and Reserve officers beyond 20 years of active federal service.

As of Feb. 11, eligible AGR officers and warrant officers will go before extension boards to determine whether or not they can stay on active duty.

The change was made after a study on the overall AGR program found a perception among those in the field that the old extension process might have been unfair as only some soldiers were considered for extension.

Following that study, Reginald Brown, the assistant secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, asked the G1 to form a working group and decide upon possible solutions.

The solution ultimately agreed upon was a board selection process adhering to Department of Army standards and to be managed by the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G1.

The largest change from the previous system is that extensions are no longer reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All soldiers eligible for extension will now automatically go before retention boards without having to submit an application.

"Everything is automatic, but that doesn't relieve them of responsibility for ensuring that something is not missing from their file," said Col. Lynda Parsons, the assistant deputy for Reserve Personnel and Policy.

Prior to each board, the needs of the Army will be assessed and extensions will be granted based on those needs, Col. Parsons said.

No AGR officer will now be extended without being considered before a board, Parsons said. She added the appropriate approval authority will then grant that extension in increments of up to three years, though most will likely be two years or less.

The chief of the National Guard Bureau and the chief of the Army Reserve may approve extensions for up to 22 years of active federal service for their respective components. The assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs will approve all extensions between 22 years and the soldier's mandatory removal date.