Planning ahead can ensure success

  • Published
  • By Col. Steve Arquiette
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Planning ahead for personal and professional success is important! Last week we were very fortunate to host Col. James Miner and Chief Master Sgt. Marcus Hadeed from Air Mobility Command's Airmen Development and Sustainment Office who visited Travis as part of the Force Development Road Show. During enlisted, officer and commander calls, they discussed the Air Force's "road ahead" for personnel and explained what Airmen need to do to ensure they are on the right career path. They stressed that the current assignment system puts much more emphasis on Airmen involvement, so you have greater responsibility to communicate your desires to the Air Force.

For the officers, Colonel Miner spent a substantial amount of time discussing the Transitional Officer Development Program, designed to help Development Teams know what you desire and what your supervisor recommends for future career moves. Development Teams only have a short time to look at each person's records and create a vector for your career. Without your input it would be impossible to vector you onto your desired path. Therefore, it is essential that all officers keep a current T-ODP. I sat on a Squadron Commander Selection Board recently where a leadership opportunity was narrowed down to two people ... one of whom had an up-to-date T-ODP and another person did not. As the system prescribes, the assignment went to the person who was prepared with a completed T-ODP.

For the enlisted, the chief stressed the need for our enlisted members to focus on getting their Professional Military Education, Community College of the Air Force and higher educational opportunities completed. He also told everyone to look at assignments as a way to help advance your career and not to allow yourself to get stuck in one assignment for an extended period of time. Career broadening assignments and 365-day deployments are excellent ways to set yourself apart from the rest!

We're in the middle of a time of great change. It is important for everyone to analyze all their options, maintain current records and have a clear understanding of the current assignment system. You must to be proactive in charting a course for your future. Do your homework by laying out a plan that allows you to reach your short-term and long-term personal and professional goals. Then follow up by doing the things that will pave the path you desire. Please don't miss out on a desired assignment or a promotion because you were unprepared! Your supervisors, commanders and Mission Support Squadron are doing their best to look out for you, so please use them as resources. Help yourself out by staying focused on your career path and being proactively prepared. You are much more likely to get what you want out of your Air Force career.

BE PROUD! BE SAFE!