Newly accessed Active Guard Reserve Soldiers attend first AGRIT Course

FORT KNOX, Ky. — The U.S. Army Reserve has rolled out a universal course for newly accessed Active Guard Reserve Soldiers that will provide them a smooth path to full-time reserve status.

Nearly 60 AGR Soldiers attended the first Active Guard Reserve Integration Training, or AGRIT, course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Aug. 16-20. Instructors from the 83rd U.S. Army Reserve Readiness Training Center there hosted the course for the new AGRs to ensure a seamless transition from a traditional part-time Troop Program Unit, or TPU, Soldier.

AGRIT introduces the fundamentals of systems and procedures for a more effective onboarding process of AGR Soldiers.

The AGRIT course is designed to assure recently accessed AGRs that they will receive standardized training, which will ease the transition to the AGR program during their initial tour. Staff Sgt. Brian Jarrell, 3rd Battalion, 80th Signal Regiment, 5th Brigade, 102nd Training Division, said one of the most important aspects of the course is the overview of how the Army Reserves operates.

“In my opinion, attending AGRIT is a must for new AGRs,” said Jarrell. “This course will set AGRs up for success upon arrival to their assigned units.”

The training center team began with an overview of the courses it provides. Other topics of discussion included the Reserve military technician program, role of the readiness division and the commander’s retention program. In addition, explaining staff processes and interactions to new AGRs is one of the many key actions that staff members teach on a recurring basis.

Class members said they were grateful to receive a brief from Brig. Gen. Stacy Babcock, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Human Resources Command.

“I enjoyed hearing from some of the senior leaders in the Army Reserve. Brigadier General Babcock provided our class with pertinent information that will help us throughout the duration or our careers in the USAR AGR program,” said Capt. Jerrell Brown, 166th Regional Support Group, 1st Mission Support Command.

The students also received an overview of the AGR program and the personnel action guide from the U.S. Army Reserve Command’s human resources officer. Human Resources Command accessions and career managers provided an overview of AGR benefits and entitlements as well as enlisted and commissioned officer career management objectives.

“People are our priority,” said Maj. Marc Grove, course director. “We are arming newly assessed AGRs with pertinent information to successfully navigate within the program and skills to have an immediate impact at their new duty stations.

“Aligning priorities, and framing how these impact unit preparedness, contributes to a nested approach and a defined role for these AGRs as they return to their units.”