Career advisor set to make professional development program more robust

  • Published
  • By Robert Fox
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Career assistance advising has undergone two changes since March and is currently going through a third. 

First, the career assistance office relocated from Bldg. 400 in March to the newly renovated Bldg. 832. Then, former Career Master Sgt. April Monthie retired in May.
Master Sgt. Jeffery App, Sheppard's Non-commissioned Officer of the Year 2005, took over as career advisor last month. 

"The charge I was given by the chief was to have a more robust professional development program," Sergeant App said. "I am really taking that seriously."
That's why 82nd Training Wing leadership hand-picked the sergeant to be the new advisor. 

"We're very fortunate to have a superstar like Master Sgt. Jeff App as our new career assistance advisor," said Chief Master Sgt. Douglas Kesler, the 82nd TRW command chief master sergeant. "He will bring his outstanding professionalism and energy to our new professional development center." 

To that end, he said he has already conducted initial surveys to find out what kinds of professional development programs are needed here. He also talked to Sheppard's Web site manager to update the career assistance page and provide new and important links. 

His proactive approach doesn't end there. He said he plans to regularly attend commander's calls and is scheduled to go to a seminar in August and a conference in February to make sure he is abreast of changes and potential professional development programs. 

"I am still new at the job, but after I go to this seminar in August, I'm going to be hard charging to knock this job out," he said. 

Career assistance advising offers advice and assistance on anything career related, retraining, base changes, re-enlistment, retirement, transitioning out of the military, changing branches of service and education opportunities. He said career assistance also keeps supervisors, and thereby all Airmen, aware of legislative issues affecting pay benefits and the military in general and is responsible for the Senior NCO Induction Seminar. 

Sergeant App said the measure of success for his office is based on the feelings and success of the people he helped. 

"If I can communicate what it takes to succeed, then I have done my job," he said.
The e-mail for the career advisor is 82trw.careerassistanceadvisor@sheppard.af.mil.