Andersen Career Assistance Advisor promotes 'rightsizing'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Thinking of re-enlisting, re-training or making other significant moves in your Air Force career? If so, Andersen's Career Assistance Advisor can guide you in the right direction.

The focus of the CAA is both career and professional development for Airmen.

"Throughout my career, mentoring and guiding Airmen have been aspects that I enjoyed as a supervisor," said Master Sgt. Carmelito Sanga, 36th Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor. "In this special duty, all my time is devoted to developing our Airmen."

The CAA provides comprehensive professional enhancement seminars and information on opportunities for servicemembers to make the best career choices.

"We also support the Military Personnel Section," said Sergeant Sanga. "We are the ones who disseminate information related to force management programs."

Force management takes Airmen from a career field that has an overage in personnel and moves them into career fields with shortages. This is done through re-training programs.

"The CAA has helped me realize that there are other options in the Air Force," said Senior Airman Patrick Taylor, 736th Security Forces Squadron supply technician.

There are many volunteer force management programs being implemented that allow people to separate early or transfer from active duty to Air National Guard or Reserve components. There are also programs that allow servicemembers to cross from one branch of service to another.

Airman Taylor says that re-training is for those who are determined and want the change for the right reasons.

"As it is final, it is not for someone who is being rash or is just having a rough week in the work place," said Airman Taylor. "It is not a decision to be taken lightly. One should be sure this is what they want to do. It is for people that are absolutely positive they want a change."

Now more than ever, there are a significant number of force management programs available. Despite changes in the size of the Air Force, there are consistently numerous opportunities for Airmen.

"The term for it should be rightsizing," said Sergeant Sanga. "There are some career fields that are overmanned, but there are also a lot of career fields that have a shortage of personnel."

When an Airman's re-training window comes, the CAA can help create a timeline of execution.

"I tell Airmen during in-process briefings or when I visit units that they should start looking a year and a half out in their careers, whether it's permanently changing duty stations or re-enlisting," said Sergeant Sanga. "Airmen should see a career assistant advisor so they could get the facts and the correct information about their options. The Air Force is not just a job, it can be a rewarding career, and in order to be successful, they need to establish milestones."

According to Sergeant Sanga, despite all the programs available, many Airmen are not aware that these programs exist. The CAA works hard to market aggressively by working with units, noncommissioned officer organizations and first sergeants to have a strong outreach program.

"I think as good as our programs are, if people don't seek assistance, then they will not benefit from these programs," said Sergeant Sanga. "If everybody is oblivious to them, these programs go to waste. Our Airmen should take advantage of all the career opportunities that the Air Force has to offer."