advice on going ART......

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   Hi, glad I found this very informative site!!  I am actually considering taking an ART position and was wondering if you could give me some advice.  The formal offer should be sent my way in the next week or so.  I served 11 years AD, separating as a Maj.  

What should I expect in salary?  I've heard it's less than what an AD Maj would make, but is there a guideline to go by, or are salaries very random?  Can you negotiate your offered salary, or just accept what is offered?   Any advice on the NSPS system?  What about benefits?  Can my family and I use base facilities - bx/comm etc? all the time or just reserve weekends? Any advice on the health care that is offered?  Do you get PCS expenses? Can you stay in TLF when PCSing? 

As you can probably tell I am completely new to this whlole thing, especially the civillian side of employment so any tips/advice would definately be appreiciated. 

Thanks in advance and I look forward to becoming part of your group!

BB

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blueboy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote blueboy Report Post Quote Reply Topic: advice on going ART...... Posted: 05 Oct 2009 at 5:20am
	Hi, glad I found this very informative site!! I am actually considering taking an ART position and was wondering if you could give me some advice. The formal offer should be sent my way in the next week or so. I served 11 years AD, separating as a Maj. What should I expect in salary? I've heard it's less than what an AD Maj would make, but is there a guideline to go by, or are salaries very random? Can you negotiate your offered salary, or just accept what is offered? Any advice on the NSPS system? What about benefits? Can my family and I use base facilities - bx/comm etc? all the time or just reserve weekends? Any advice on the health care that is offered? Do you get PCS expenses? Can you stay in TLF when PCSing? As you can probably tell I am completely new to this whlole thing, especially the civillian side of employment so any tips/advice would definately be appreiciated. Thanks in advance and I look forward to becoming part of your group! BB

section 371 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 47	Post Options Post Reply Quote section 371 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Oct 2009 at 4:58pm
	Don't do it.

blueboy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote blueboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Oct 2009 at 7:32pm
	Why not? Is there something I should know? Please let me know, I haven't signed anything yet!!!

lucabrasi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 219	Post Options Post Reply Quote lucabrasi Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Oct 2009 at 7:25am
	A lot of "why not" will depend on your unit. The ART program is going bad, really fast. Many in "leadership" will treat you like you are an active duty airman again, insisting you come in early, stay late, attempting to deny sick leave, canceling your vacations because they lack the ability to plan, you'll have to wear an AF uniform to work in a civilian job, etc... If that's what you're looking for, I suggest going back to active duty. At least you'll get the pay and benefits. Oh, and just for another kick in the groin, the employee portion of your health insurance just went up 9%....and so did co-pays.

Turbota Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Turbota Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Oct 2009 at 4:43pm
	quote: Originally posted by lucabrasi: you'll have to wear an AF uniform to work in a civilian job, etc... I can't say for sure about this if the original poster is looking into an Air Force Reserve Technician (ART) job. I do know for a fact that the folks working with the Army or Air Guard must always wear a military uniform .... However, if he is looking into an Army Reserve Technician (ART) job, you DO NOT wear a uniform while working in your civilian status. Be advised ... These ART positions do require you to be a military member of the reserves too. They are "Dual Status" jobs. Loose your Reserve Military status with the unit, and you loose your civilian ART position too. Ron, Retired GS2181-13 Army Reserve Technicion (Instructor Pilot) __________________________________ Note: Maybe things have changed since I retired, but the only military uniform I had to wear on weekdays while in civilian status was a military flight suit since I was flying militry aircrft. The rest of the time, it was civilian clothes. Again, maybe they changed the rules for Air Force and Army Reserve Technicians (both called "ART" postions by the way) [This message was edited by Turbota on October 08, 2009 at 07:59 PM.]

lucabrasi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 219	Post Options Post Reply Quote lucabrasi Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Oct 2009 at 4:38am
	The rules have been changed for Air Reserve Technicians. "Leadership", and I use the term loosely, has determined that we will become more disciplined mechanics if we are wearing our uniforms Monday thru Friday. There is a long thread about it on the Air Reserve Technician forum.

cjeckert Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote cjeckert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2009 at 5:45am
	You may as well stay AD. The bennies are better, you have to wear a uniform every day anyway, and you have to now start paying for health care for you and your family. Oh, and 100% of your income is taxed, so even though you may get what is comprable to AD O4 pay, you are taxed for 100% of it, unlike AD, where BAH is non taxable. Be weary, too--sometimes they'll include what you'll receive in weekend drills/Annual Tour and say that's your salary. You can negotiate your salary in NSPS, but usually its for no more than 5-8 percent. NSPS is going away now anyway, so it's really a moot point. As an officer you'll make your money by going on AD status, not sure if you're a flyer or not, but then it's not too bad. Being an ART is like being a readheaded stepchild not only of the AF, but of the Reserve and of the Civilian component too. There's all these AFIs that you THINK apply, but then there's a note: "Does not apply to ARTs"...or, "Members who are ARTs must do this..." Do your homework. I'd stay on AD if I had 11 years in...

cjeckert Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote cjeckert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2009 at 5:48am
	Sorry...just re-read your post and realized you're already separated...not sure what you're doing to make a living now; but make sure you do your homework!!

C17Wes Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Advisor Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 139	Post Options Post Reply Quote C17Wes Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 2009 at 4:20pm
	The ART Program is a good way to get your foot in the door. Start your Federal Employment. Then transfer to another Federal Job.

Surfngecko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote Surfngecko Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Nov 2009 at 12:39am
	Yep, I agree with C17Wes. Use the ART job as a means to an end, because it is not an adequate program. It is a 'B' scale to get active duty type employment for half the price in the short and long run.