Help available for making informed career decision Published Jan. 18, 2007 By Frank McIntyre Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- The new fitness program isn't the only place you'll find figures being reshaped and slimmed in today's Air Force. Phase II of the force-shaping program will see the number of blue suiters reduced by more than 22,500. "This is the next step in our force-shaping program to move us closer to the authorized end strength of 359,770," said Maj Gen John Speigel, director of personnel policy at the Pentagon. "Phase II widens the aperture on the Phase I initiatives while allowing the rebalancing of skills." What this mean for Team Vance Airmen is a greater need for planning a course for the future, whether it be early separation or an Air Force career. Fortunately for those pondering a decision of should I stay or should I go, there are resources available. MSgt David Poppinga as the 71st Flying Training Wing's career assistance advisor is one of those resources available. "My job is to ensure the Airmen on base are aware of their options, so they can make an informed decision when it comes time to answer that 'should I stay or should I go' question," Sergeant Poppinga said. With the force-shaping program, it's a fairly volatile environment that can see the options decrease if someone isn't actively involved in planning for the future. "Phase II includes the return of the career job reservation program and that will limit reenlistments into some specialties. That has a big impact on job availability. What is available today, may be gone tomorrow. Basically, the force-shaping means more people will be competing for fewer jobs," Sergeant Poppinga said. That is when being aware of available options can help with the planning process. "If there's not a CJR available, there are other options available. There's always a need for special duty applicants in areas such as recruiting or instructing or retraining into a shortage field such as loadmaster or boom operator. "The important thing to remember is the longer an Airman waits the fewer options he/she will have," the wing's career advisor said. There are also options available for Airmen who would like to separate early Phase II also expanded waivers on some of the early out programs. "The minimum time requirement dropped from 24 months on active duty to 12 months before applying to transfer to the Guard or Reserve through the Palace Chase program," said Maj Dawn Keasley, chief of retirement and separation policy at the Pentagon. "These are just a few of the options that have to be considered when making a decision for the future," Sergeant Poppinga said. "My job is to provide the information so the decision is an informed one." But one-on-one informed decision briefings aren't the extent of the career assistance advisor's duty. "It's my responsibility to help supervisors, first sergeants and commanders get out the right information on the benefits of making the Air Force a career. I do this by speaking to groups at enlisted professional development courses, First Term Airman Center classes and commander's calls." "The better informed everyone is, the easier it is to make an informed decision. It's my role to help facilitate that decision making process," Sergeant Poppinga said. The career assistance advisor's office is room 104 in Bldg. 500 or he may be reached at 7222.