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Scott AFB investing in talent pool for military, civilians

“Take Care of the Troops” serves as one of the five U.S. Transportation Command’s priorities at Scott Air Force Base, and a key component of the effort involves investing in the workforce.

An office within the command’s Manpower and Personnel Directorate, the Human Capital Development Branch provides numerous education and personal-growth opportunities annually.  For example, in Fiscal Year 2020, the HCD Branch spent – and subsequently invested – approximately $1 million to enhance and sustain the unit’s human talent pool, both military and civilian.

USTRANSCOM exists as a warfighting combatant command to project and sustain military power at a time and place of the nation’s choosing.

“USTRANSCOM is committed to the professional development and growth of its military and civilian personnel.  To fulfill that commitment, the HCD Branch actively engages with each member throughout their assignment here – from arrival, departure, and in-between,” said Dave Breeden, chief, HCD Branch, USTRANSCOM’s Manpower and Personnel Directorate. “Ultimately, we’re focused on developing and sustaining an innovative, highly-capable, and resilient workforce, which provides an unparalleled strategic advantage for the command.”

For the HCD Branch, the coordination of workforce development and education opportunities occurs over a one-year, five-step process. First, during the final three months of the year, all USTRANSCOM military and civilian personnel complete an annual Individual Development Plan, which includes short-term (one to three years) and long-term (three to five years) career goals. Next, in January, each directorate training coordinator submits its specific requirements to the HCD Branch.

Then, one month later, costs associated with the directorates’ developmental needs are validated, totaled, and submitted to the Program Analysis and Financial Management Directorate for evaluation and processing.  In August, the HCD Branch notifies the more than 10 directorate training coordinators of their respective proposed FY human capital development budget. Finally, after the USTRANSCOM Chief of Staff’s review and concurrence, the command’s next FY human capital development budget goes into effect.

Shortly thereafter, normally in September, the HCD Branch requests vendors’ bids, reserves facilities, as well as schedules and publicizes the professional development opportunities.  During the following month, the cycle repeats itself.

“The HCD Branch actively supports every command initiative. From the getgo, when an individual joins USTRANSCOM, our branch supports their professional development and growth every step of the way until they depart,” said HCD Analyst Chris Gouveia, USTRANSCOM’s Manpower and Personnel Directorate. “I really enjoy helping my command teammates achieve professional success.”

Some of the developmental opportunities available for command member participation include three separate levels of executive leadership courses conducted at Washington University in St. Louis, and the Leadership Certificate Program, a one-week class held at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. USTRANSCOM personnel can register for these and other professional development programs in TANDEM.

Another education avenue for USTRANSCOM-assigned civil servants involves the U.S. Air Force’s Civilian Developmental Education program, which is open for sign up from now through March. More details on CDE can be accessed at https://www.afpc.af.mil/Force-Development/Civilian-Developmental-Education/.

For further information on opportunities at USTRANSCOM, contact the HCD Branch at (618) 220-6808 or transcom.scott.tcj1.mbx.training@mail.mil.

PHOTO: The TCJ1 Human Capital Development Branch team. The office within the U.S. Transportation Command’s Manpower and Personnel Directorate provides numerous education and personal-growth opportunities annually.

 

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