Career assistance advisor aids Airmen

Published Dec. 8, 2016
By Senior Airman Nick Daniello
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Career assistance advisors provide various professional development courses and advises Airmen on different career opportunities.

CAAs guide Airmen in professional enhancement and career options through different programs, such as; First Term Airman Center, NCO and senior NCO seminars, career progression classes, leadership courses and retraining opportunities. They are also available to provide council and advice to Airmen who plan on separating from the military.

“In the Air Force, we have to be continual learners,” said Master Sgt. Lance Hasz, 92nd Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor. “The development courses we offer are another way of providing tools for your leadership toolbox. It also gives Airmen a road map to be more effective in their job centers and in their careers.”

According to Hasz, these courses act as stepping stones for Airmen promoting into new ranks, most notably the NCO and the senior NCO tiers of the Air Force rank structure.

Through the senior NCO professional enhancement course, senior NCOs are provided a foundation for learning the ins and outs of their units, enhancing their own personal leadership abilities and planning for future mission requirements. Senior NCOs will begin to mentor NCOs and help them prepare their Airmen for different challenges they may face, he said.

Aside from providing building blocks for career success, the CAA also provides guidance to Airmen who are interested in retraining into different career fields.

“A lot of Airmen are very busy and they either don’t know what their options are or don’t have time to look into them,” said Senior Airman Steven Richichi, 92nd Maintenance Squadron aircraft hydraulic specialist journeyman and an airman who just recently discovered his different retraining career options. “You can talk to the career advisor and they’ll explain and help you understand the processes and will guide you through it. It’s really fantastic to have that guidance and to have such a resource available.”

According to Hasz, having someone to speak with about their different options can be career changing.

“I’m able to potentially change Airmen’s life trajectory for the better because of one conversation and it’s an awesome task to be charged with,” said Hasz.

For more information about professional development programs and different career opportunities, or if you are an Airman who is interested in hosting a professional development course to mentor and teach fellow Airman, contact Fairchild’s career assistance advisor, Master Sgt. Lance Hasz, at (509) 247-8020.