Malmstrom’s new career assistance advisor helps Airmen explore Air Force opportunities

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Sometimes the job assigned to an Airman doesn't turn out to be the job he/she expected. Often Airmen seeking a change believe getting out of the Air Force is their only option for a new start. However, career assistance advisors assist Airmen looking for a new role in the Air Force and help them determine which opportunities are best suited to them.

"Our job is to be an advisor and to help those who want a different career field," said Master Sgt. William Smith, 341st Missile Wing CAA. "We point the Airmen in the right direction and help give them the chance to try something else. I want the Airmen to know they have an option. It can be described as opportunity with another job versus their current job."

Sergeant Smith has been at Malmstrom since 2001, and formerly worked with the 341st Operations Group as a facility manager. When the opportunity came up to be an advisor, he knew immediately that he wanted to have the same influence on other Airmen that previous advisors had on him. As the new advisor at Malmstrom, he aspires to be as active as possible in informing Airmen of what's available and the opportunities afforded to them as military members in Air Force Global Strike Command and the entire Air Force.
"They used to have the advisor position at squadron level," Sergeant Smith said. "I remember meeting with them as an Airman and the information was very beneficial to me. Advisors can instantly find ways to answer questions about your career and how to get the most out of it so that you are happy in your choice. I like being able to mediate between the needs of the Air Force and the individual Airmen."

The advisors are trained to assist not only the Airman, but supervisors and commanders as well.

According to the Air Force Instruction 36-2624, the CAA advises commanders, supervisors and enlisted personnel on retention issues. They use supervisors as force multipliers instead of counseling each and every Airman who want to retrain.

"People the Airmen work with should be involved in this decision change," Sergeant Smith said. "The more people who are involved in a career change, the more confident and informed the Airman will be about their decisions."

For more information or assistance, visit Malmstrom's Community of Practice Page at https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/Malmstrom. The CoP is a one-stop shop for Career Assistance and Career Development with timely, accurate, and relevant Enlisted Professional Enhancement information. You can also visit www.afpc.randolph.af.mil or www.usmilitary.about.com for more information about retraining and new job opportunities.

To directly contact the Malmstrom CAA, call 731-4766.