Take control of your career

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian S. Fisher
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Career Assistance Advisor
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Air Force retention is among the highest it has been in quite some time. This may be due in part to the economy and the defense budget. Most of us have heard the terms: date of separation rollbacks, AFSC mergers, forced-retraining, reductions in force and civilian furloughs. In some cases, these are selective retention efforts, while others are a byproduct of government-directed cuts in spending. This high retention rate has at least one positive side-effect; the Air Force is able to develop more capable and efficient processes through modernization and force management. The best way to stay on the positive side of these changes is to keep a clean record and know how and when to make the best of career opportunities.

A truly happy airman is one that enjoys their job, supervisor/coworkers and location. This is not a fairy tale career, it does happen. Some airmen decide that they can't get past their present assignment or situation for whatever reason and get out when they had their mind set on a career in the Air Force. Some jobs just don't work out for people and that's why we have "lists"; CJRs, SRBs, constraints, advisories, etc. You can expect to experience highs and lows throughout your tenure in the Air Force. You have to know how to make your career work for you by taking advantage of the opportunities out there. Know that they do exist, even if you're not in your "window".

If you're a first-term airmen, you have the best opportunity to change either your current AFSC, assignment or both, sometimes even before you reach your "window". Second-term airmen also have options, though they come contingent on factors such as time on station, career field balance, grade and skill level as well as a favorable history on their EPRs. There are a number of commissioning opportunities and special duties available as well. Every airman's situation is unique and through research, timing and some effort, a career match can be made.

No decision should be made in haste as these are often one-time opportunities. When considering options, some tools available are the Career Assistance Advisor, Assignment Management System (AMS), Online Retraining Advisory, Total Human Resource Manager's Information System (THRMIS), the Air Force Enlisted Classification Directory (AFECD) and other valuable tools found under the retraining link on the myPers site. Most applications can be done online and it's important to use the resources in tandem to make wise and effective career decisions.

You have the power to make your career your own, even if you don't think you can. Read the AFIs, talk to your supervisors, network with other airmen in a career field of your interest. Take advantage of the services the Career Assistance Advisor can provide you with in your job search. I am just a phone call away to set up a career counseling session or to explain the options available for a career change. I can be reached at 434-7004.