CAA Corner: What the career asisstance advisor can do for you

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Isaura E. Walker
  • Career Assistance Advisor
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - --  At the end of the 1990s, the Air Force struggled with ways to combat its retention problems. Air Force leadership decided to create the Career Assistance Advisor position. 

On Oct. 1, 2000, Senior Master Sgt. Randall Keen (now a Chief Master Sergeant) was selected as Hurlburt AFB's first CAA. He had a tough road ahead of him, having been tasked to develop a retention program and a professional enhancement seminar. He set his sights on perfection, and with the help of a small cadre of senior NCOs, he persevered and created several outstanding programs that, today, make our job easier. 

Career assistance advisors serve as a conduit between commanders and base personnel. We advise enlisted members on career decisions, address retention and retraining issues, and conduct professional enhancement seminars for staff sergeants, newly selected master sergeants and company grade officers. 

For people who are unsure whether to reenlist or not, we show them the benefits of military life opposed to civilian life. Of course, we try to persuade our people not to get out, but if we can't, then we ensure they have a plan for when they separate. 

One of our biggest concerns is the Career Job Reservation issue. Did you know that CJRs are now automatic? Members no longer need to complete a CJR request, unless they desire a CJR in their secondary Air Force Specialty Code or have special circumstances. 

After an Airman has been considered for reenlistment under the Selective Reenlistment Program, the system will automatically request a CJR upon entering the first month of their CJR window. If approved, the Airman's records will automatically be updated with a CJR upon entering into his first month of the CJR window in their CAFSC provided they meet quality force factors. 

If the Airman is ineligible for reenlistment when he enters his CJR window, the system will continue to review the Airman's records monthly to determine if he becomes eligible at a later date and will request a CJR at that time. 

Additionally, if the Airman is in a constrained AFSC, the Airman will automatically be placed on the CJR waiting list the first month of his CJR eligibility window. Members in constrained AFSCs will receive a notice about being placed on the waiting list automatically. The Airman will remain on the waiting list until he receives a CJR or is removed from the waiting list at the end of his CJR window, whichever comes first. 

However, the Air Force isn't using this method as a means to force people out. The Air Force is trying to fill critically manned AFSCs with personnel in constrained AFSCs. If you don't receive an approved CJR, you have the option to apply for retraining, special duty, go Blue to Green or to separate. 

If an Airman chooses to apply for retraining, he can submit up to five AFSC choices for retraining. It is highly encouraged to submit at least three AFSC choices, but it's wise to apply for all five choices to greatly increase the chances to retrain and eventually reenlist.
Call the CAA office at 366-7829 if you have any questions concerning retraining, special duty assignments, Blue to Green Program, commissioning options, CJR or any other career-related questions. The CAA office is located directly across the street from the post office in Building 21,006.