ARLINGTON, Va. -- As part of the Army Civilian Workforce Transformation Program, the Army has launched the Army Civilian Acculturation pilot program at several installations across the Army in an effort to better integrate new Civilian employees into the Department of the Army.
The pilot program, which began Aug. 25, is the culmination of more than a year of work led by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command G-1/4 in conjunction with many individuals and organizations.
"The Army relies on quality Civilians in professional, technical and leadership positions to accomplish our mission and provide continuity of operations and expertise essential to our nation's defense," said Ellen Helmerson, TRADOC Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1/4 (Personnel and Logistics).
"As supervisors and leaders we must build employee confidence by developing their character, competence, and commitment as members of the Army Profession," she said.
The acculturation program is meant to provide a positive socialization experience for newly employed Army Civilians to help them learn, understand, and foster an appreciation for Army culture, and also to reduce the amount of time it takes to become effective and efficient employees.
"The goal of the program is to establish a standardized Army Civilian Acculturation framework which develops understanding, commitment, and responsibility, and better prepares new Civilian employees to become fully productive members of the Army Profession," Helmerson explained.
It is being piloted at various organizations within the Army Materiel Command, Army Medical Command, Installation Management Command, TRADOC, Combined Arms Support Command, Department of the Army Logistics Intern Program, Intelligence Center of Excellence, and Army G1-Civilian Personnel.
The Army Civilian Acculturation Program involves both onboarding and orientation. The program provides a variety of resource materials, including toolkits for the new employee, their sponsor, and the supervisor, in an effort to help inspire the employee to become a certified member of the Army Profession in accordance with Army Doctrine Publication (ADP) 1.
ADP 1 provides the foundation for Army training and education system curricula on the Army Profession, the Army Ethic, and character development of Army professionals.
Onboarding is the strategic process of welcoming new employees, establishing their responsibilities, and familiarizing them with the Army culture. A successful onboarding program creates a positive experience for new employees and advances them to the desired level of productivity as quickly as possible.
Supervisors are responsible for an employee's development, project assignments, educational opportunities and career progression. Therefore, the supervisor who takes time to provide information, discuss issues, show concern about the employee's training and acculturation, and who knows the employee's current capabilities and career goals, demonstrates professional concern for every new employee.
TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE
Another aspect of the onboarding program is for new hires to be sworn into Civilian service by a member of the Senior Executive Service or a General Officer.
Every newly hired Civilian takes an oath similar to Officers and the same oath of office as members of Congress.
Having a high ranking organization member administer the Oath of Office symbolizes the importance of the new hire and hopefully instills the job's significance in the employee.
"We want the employees to understand their role in the big picture. Every individual has an important job to do -- otherwise the Army wouldn't have hired them," Helmerson said.
According to research, the more an employee understands their role in an organization, the more enthusiastic, engaged and productive they will become.
Army supervisors and professionals play a key role in ensuring the success of the program. Look for the program to roll out Army-wide in fiscal year 2015.
To learn more about the program visit: http://www.tradoc.army.mil/dcspil/Acculturation/index.htm or contact David Clay at Headquarters TRADOC G-1/4: david.w.clay6.civ@mail.mil, (757) 501-6880.
Note: This article is part of a series of articles highlighting key programs for Army civilians.
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