The U.S. Army is dedicated to fostering professional growth within its civilian workforce, and the Career Program 29 (CP-29) stands as a cornerstone of this commitment. A recent briefing at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH) highlighted the significant opportunities CP-29 offers for civilian employees seeking to advance their careers in installation management. This program is designed to cultivate a dynamic learning environment, empowering professionals to excel through comprehensive training, education, and hands-on experience.
U.S. Army Career Program 29 briefing at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall for civilian workforce professional development
CP-29 is one of 31 career programs within the Army Civilian Corps, specifically focused on installation management. It currently supports nearly 20,000 civilian professionals across 24 Army commands and organizations, with a significant 82 percent originating from the Installation Management Command (IMCOM). The briefing at JBM-HH, led by CP-29 Career Program Manager Tim Weathersbee, aimed to inform both current and prospective CP-29 participants from various JBM-HH directorates about the program’s benefits and resources.
Weathersbee emphasized the core mission of CP-29: to equip Army civilians with the tools and opportunities necessary for continuous professional development. The program aims to provide methodologies and specific pathways for career advancement within the Army civilian corps. To achieve this, CP-29 offers a range of resources, including:
- Developmental Assignments: Opportunities to gain diverse experience and broaden skill sets through temporary assignments in different roles or locations.
- Competency-Based On-Site Training: Targeted training programs designed to enhance specific skills and competencies relevant to installation management.
- Academic Degree Training, Credentialing, and Certifications: Funding support for civilian employees to pursue academic degrees, professional credentials, and certifications from accredited institutions, enhancing their qualifications and expertise.
- Short-Term Training: Focused training sessions on critical skills such as critical thinking, strategic planning, negotiation strategies, and leadership development, providing immediate and practical skill enhancement.
Weathersbee urged attendees to proactively engage in career planning in collaboration with their supervisors. He advised a strategic approach: first, assess current competencies and skills, and then identify any gaps that exist between their present qualifications and the requirements of their desired future roles. CP-29 is intentionally structured to bridge these competency gaps, enabling civilian employees to progress in their careers and contribute more effectively to Army readiness.
Further insights into accessing CP-29 resources were provided by CP-29 Program Support Specialist Jorge Millet-Castillo. He detailed the utilization of online platforms crucial for engaging with the program: the Army Career Tracker (ACT) and GoArmyEd. ACT serves as the career-management portal where civilians can explore and apply for CP-29 opportunities, while GoArmyEd is the gateway to apply for educational and training funding. Millet-Castillo underscored the importance of meticulous application submissions, ensuring all necessary information, qualifications, performance evaluations, and supervisor endorsements are accurately included.
Despite the extensive resources available through CP-29, Millet-Castillo noted that many remain underutilized. This point resonated with Denise James, JBM-HH Director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, who highlighted challenges related to funding and staffing constraints. Reduced resources often limit the scheduling flexibility needed for employees to participate in training programs. James emphasized the strong desire for professional development within her directorate, advocating for Army-wide solutions to facilitate training access for motivated employees.
Weathersbee acknowledged these challenges, assuring attendees that CP-29 is actively pursuing more adaptable training solutions, including online and flexible learning formats that remove geographical and time constraints. He cited the example of a fully online Certified Public Management course offered by Arizona State University as a testament to this effort.
Concluding the briefing, CP-29 Career Management Specialist John W. Thompson introduced the CP-29 Installation Management Intern Program. This highly competitive two-year program is designed to cultivate future leaders in Army installation management, fostering innovation and diversity within the workforce. Thompson outlined the rigorous selection criteria, noting that in 2017, only 10 interns were selected from a pool of 300 applicants. Key requirements include U.S. citizenship, GS07 level qualification, a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA or an accredited graduate degree, and demonstrated leadership potential and problem-solving abilities.
Weathersbee expressed satisfaction with the interactive nature of the briefing, emphasizing the value of the dialogue with attendees. He noted that the questions and feedback provided valuable insights into areas for program improvement and further support. Ultimately, the briefing served to reinforce CP-29’s commitment to the professional growth of Army civilians, providing essential information and resources to empower their career journeys within the U.S. Army.
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