Army Civilian leaders learn about education and career development opportunities

By Mr Skye Marthaler (TRADOC)July 6, 2011

Vicki Brown briefs students of the Advanced Course on education and career development opportunities.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BELVOIR, Virginia, July 6, 2011 -- Training and education is a crucial part of the Army way of life. From the first day of Initial Entry Training and throughout their Army career, Soldiers will be trained and educated to gain the skills and abilities to not only to perform their current duties but also to give them the foundation to grow in leadership ability and future roles.

For one part of the Army though, training and education opportunities are at times an afterthought. The Army Civilian Corps is comprised of over 300,000 dedicated men and women from all walks of life and a dizzying array of professions all focused on providing the essential services and support for the Army mission. With a focus on getting the job done, at times training or education for the Civilian workforce is overlooked.

On July 1st, Vicki Brown, the Army’s chief of Civilian Training and Leader Development Division, took the opportunity to address students of the Civilian Education System (CES) Advanced Course at the Army Management Staff College (AMSC) on Fort Belvoir, VA and provide them with an update on current and future Civilian education and training opportunities.

“One of my goals is to motivate Army Civilians to be proactive with their own personal and professional development, to show what programs are out there for them, but also for them to understand the impact they have on their organization and the people that they lead, or the peers that they associate with,” said Ms. Brown.

Brown showcased a variety of programs to include the Army Civilian Education System, Competitive Professional Development, and several Department of Defense Civilian Leadership programs. Many of the education and training opportunities for Army Civilians, both internal to the Army and through the Department of Defense, are centrally funded though Commands can fund their people as they see fit.

Dr. Leo McArdle, the host and Director of the Advanced Course at AMSC, emphasized the importance of raising awareness on Civilian education and training opportunities.

“Our Army Civilian Corps is heading into an era where we have limited resources, a diverse workforce, and increased technological capabilities. We need to develop partnering and entrepreneurial skills all the while trying to meet a mission that is more complex than ever before,” said McArdle, “The students here, the GS-13, 14, and 15s, have been identified as senior Civilian Leaders, it gives them an idea of the programs that are available to them to not only develop their leadership skills and careers but more importantly the knowledge of what courses are available to develop their people."

In addition to the education and training opportunities Brown also discussed Army Career Tracker and career programs. Both these initiatives will have a wide ranging impact on the growth and development of the Army Civilian Corps

Students came away from the information session with a greater understanding of their own development path and for their subordinates. They also felt that the Army was moving in the right direction with Army Civilian training and education.

“The education system and the training programs are moving in the right direction, they provide situational awareness not only for self development, but allow us to go back to develop our peers and subordinates to make sure they are on track to meeting the goals to where the Army wants to go in the future,“ said Les Hell, Doctrine Chief at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, “ Outcome based training and creating a competitive learning environment are the right things to do in order for us to be able adapt, be flexible, and willing to accept change.”

Information on the programs mentioned above and other Civilian opportunities can be found on the Army Civilian Training, Education, and Development System (ACTEDS). Information on AMSC and CES can be found on the Army Management Staff College Web site and Facebook page.

Related Links:

Army Management Staff College Web site

Army Civilian Training, Education, and Development System (ACTEDS) Web site

Army Management Staff College Facebook page