CAA focused on keeping Airmen informed

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  To help Airmen make more informed career decisions, a base career assistance advisor is now dedicated to retaining and developing first term Airmen as well as those in their second or more enlistment terms.

The focus of the career assistance advisor is to provide programs that help Airmen with career opportunities and provide advanced leadership tools such as Palace Chase, cross-training and more.

"Originally career assistance advisors were focused on retaining Airmen in the Air Force, and while we are still trying to do that in part today, the focus has fundamentally shifted," said Master Sgt. John E. Fisher, 66th Air Base Group acting career assistance advisor. "Today we are focused on keeping Airmen informed of every option available through this difficult and uncertain era as the Air Force looks to shape the force."

The CAA position is a principal advisor to commanders and supervisors on retention issues, a task taken seriously by Fisher.

"My job is to inform Airmen on topics concerning force shaping efforts, retention, entitlements, benefits and other issues at critical decision points throughout an Airman's career," he said. "This is important as the Air Force becomes smaller this year and next."

Among the programs available to Airmen are a First Term Airman Class, Informed Decision Seminar, NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar and a Senior NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar.

"One of the first things I did when I came into this position last month was to put together a year's schedule of classes that are available to Airmen," said Fisher. "For instance, last month we held our first Informed Decision Seminar that will be held the first Friday of every month."

He said classes such as the Informed Decision Seminar that are mandatory for first- and second-term Airmen 12 to 15 months prior to date of separation, are important for Airmen to understand every option available to them before they make a life-changing decision to separate or reenlist.

"The CAA, along with supervisors, impacts our retention programs by offering enlisted Airmen a decision briefing to guide those who are ready to either reenlist or separate," said Stephan C. Tupeck, Military Personnel Section chief. "As our Airmen seek answers to the various force management programs, the CAA along with the Military Personnel Section play key roles in the lives or our enlisted force."

As well as developing, supervising and managing local retention programs and activities, Fisher is responsible for determining local factors that are negatively influencing career decisions.

According to Stephen Ramos, the Force Development Flight chief, it has been a few years since Hanscom has had a full- time CAA.

"Master Sergeant Fisher has already brought much needed stability to the program," said Ramos. "Regardless of the decision an Airmen makes to either stay or separate, it's the CAA responsibility to ensure they are prepared to make educated and informed decisions that will ultimately guide them down their future path."

A point Hanscom's senior enlisted member agreed with.

"No doubt one of the most important jobs an enlisted member can have on any base is the career assistance advisor," said Chief Master Sgt. Craig A. Poling, Hanscom senior enlisted advisor. "The CAA touches every Airman that comes on base and in one way or another helps them make decisions that will impact the rest of their careers."

The career assistance advisor position, part of the Developmental Special Duty programs outlined last year by the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, is now commander nominative.

"There are a lot of things I can do here at Hanscom to have a positive impact on an Airmen's career - their life, really," Fisher said. "It's what I am most excited about having this opportunity."

For further information or to schedule an appointment, contact Fisher at 781-225-5935 or email john.fisher.13@us.af.mil.