Career advisor breaks it down

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The decision to reenlist impacts both Airmen and their families.

As the 354th Fighter Wing career assistance advisor, Master Sgt. Michele Deaner works with supervisors and the Military Personnel Section to keep Airmen informed about career progression and personnel programs that could be vital to their advancement or separation.

"While supervisors should always take the lead in mentoring their subordinates, I serve as a point of contact for supervisors to help aid in the career progression of our wing Airmen," said Deaner.

Deaner receives information from Air Force Personnel Center regarding retraining, special duties, recruiting, force shaping, Career Job Reservations and various other personnel programs that she passes to first sergeants and professional organizations for dissemination to the wing's Airmen.

"As the career advisor, I am able to help mentor wing Airmen on multiple levels, first with new Airmen in FTAC, with first line supervisors in NCO PE, with SNCOs during SNCO PE and on a daily basis with individual career counseling."

Deaner organizes, facilitates and instructs the First Term Airmen's Center, NCO and Senior NCO Professional Enhancement seminars, and the Informed Decision brief, a valuable tool in educating Airmen on available career opportunities.

Even if someone knows what they want to do career wise, the Informed Decision briefings bring to light a wide spectrum of opportunities available. The goal of this brief is to arm each Airman with information regarding benefits and opportunities so they are able to make a truly informed decision.

According to Deaner, the briefing is mandatory because of the gravity of the decision to stay or go. Airmen should clearly understand all the options and benefits before making a decision to head down one path or another.

Representatives from the Education Center and Airmen and Family Readiness Center give details explaining avoidable pitfalls in addition to benefits offered to Airmen that remain on active duty as well as for veterans. Recruiters from the Reserve and Air National Guard also brief information specific to their respective services to ensure Airmen who desire to separate from active duty understand their options.

"I want to be sure that each Airman who is eligible to reenlist makes the right decision for themselves and their families," said Deaner.

A portion of the class is dedicated to discussing career broadening opportunities available to our Airmen, such as retraining, special duty positions, commissioning, Palace Chase, Blue to Green, current force shaping initiatives as well the renewed CJR process.

"Each Airman has to take the lead for their own careers," said Deaner. "So all we can do as leaders is work our hardest to get the information to each member and be there to help answer any questions they may have."

While it is encouraged that members work with their supervisors first, Airmen are welcome to call the career advisor at 377-7829 for any type of career broadening questions or assistance.