Career advisors can help choose the right path Published Sept. 2, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Moore 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Joining the Air Force can be a tough decision and deciding whether or not to make it a career can be even tougher. Luckily, the Air Force has career assistance advisors to help. Master Sgt. Steven Mullens, 81st Force Support Squadron, is Keesler's CAA. "CAA's are actually involved with quite a bit," he said. "One of the most visible things we do is helping to determine local factors negatively influencing career decisions by soliciting feedback through monthly informed decision briefings. This briefing is designed to provide members with information needed in order to make the best decision possible with regard to reenlisting or separating. The briefing is mandatory for first- and second-term Airmen within 12 to 15 months of their date of separation regardless of current reenlistment intent, with the exception of those pending involuntary separation." CAAs also assist supervisors in counseling enlisted personnel on reenlistment and retraining opportunities, benefits and entitlements and manage day-to-day operations of the First Term Airman Center. Sergeant Mullens said CAAs assist with many other things, like acting as advisors to commanders on retention issues, assisting in dissemination of personnel programs and new guidance to the base populace and working with air reserve component counterparts and recruiters to keep people informed of force-shaping options and the benefits of continued service. Sometimes leaving the Air Force isn't a choice, though, and Sergeant Mullens has advice for those members facing separation. "I feel it's important for members who find out they've been selected for separation via force shaping programs to get scheduled for the transition assistance program with the airmen and family readiness center as soon as possible," he recommended. "If you find yourself in a retraining situation, carefully read all the published guidance and act quickly if you want to maximize your chances of having a voice in the process." Other times, members would like to continue to serve the country but not on active duty. "Those completing their active-duty commitment who want to continue to serve through the reserves or guard should know Palace Front is the program members utilize," Sergeant Mullens said. "Air Force Instruction 36-3205 has the details. We have an in-service Air Force Reserve recruiter here on Keesler, Master Sgt. Charlene McCombs, and Master Sgt. Ken Esaw out of Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., serves as our in-service Air National Guard recruiter and can assist members with their transition." Occasionally members realize the Air Force isn't for them and would like to get out before their enlistment commitment expires. For those who would like to get out of the military early, the Palace Chase program is a part of force shaping programs and can also be a viable option for many others. Details about Palace Chase are also found in AFI 36-3205. For those who have decided the Air Force is the career for them, Sergeant Mullens advised them to be aware of the Air Force benefits. "One of the most important things we can do as members and especially as supervisors, is to stay aware of all the benefits of an Air Force career by reading and understanding the most current version of the Air Force benefits fact sheet and disseminate them to our subordinates," he said. "I've found that it's not just one particular benefit, but rather the sum of the entire benefits package that many young Airmen often overlook," Sergeant Mullens said. "Tangibly, and more specifically monetarily, I think we take for granted the many 'pay allowances' we receive and on top of that the federal tax advantage that most of those additional allowances are also tax exempt. Intangibly, I think it's the unparalleled job security offered by this great organization and the opportunities for personal growth and development." Sergeant Mullens said his favorite part of his busy and varied CAA schedule is interacting with the military members. "I really enjoy having the opportunity to interact with members from so many (Air Force Specialty Codes) and backgrounds, as well as their varied levels of experience, from the first-term Airmen just getting to his or her first base to the brand new master sergant selects. I feel like a recruiter selling the Air Force story sometimes but hey, I'm pro-Blue. This is a phenomenal organization and it has done so much for my family and me. It has afforded me to travel, to experience new cultures and to work with members of foreign nations." For more information, call Sergeant Mullens, 377-3697; Sergeant McCombs, 377-7116, or Sergeant Esaw, (501) 987-7382.