Unit career advisors (uca)

BLUF of the Program

The Unit Career Advisor (UCA) Program offers advantages for both Commanders and members. The primary function of the UCA is to manage scheduled surveys called CMPs (Career Motivational Program) for all enlisted members during their career. The scheduled surveys provide members. 

Reference: DAFI 36-2670, ANGI 36-2602

Purpose: The Career Motivation Program (CMP) is an ongoing, proactive process that enhances member engagement and assists commanders and supervisors with identifying areas of concern that may affect retention. The process involves periodic interviews between members and commanders to discuss future career plans and goals.

The UCA Role

1) Helping our members be heard

2) Helping our members make informed decisions and

2) Providing another opportunity for Commanders to hear from and engage with the people they lead.

Every Unit has a UCA identified by Appointment Letter signed by the Wing Commander.

• The UCA program is a Commander program and the UCAs are appointed by their Commander.

• There are UCA meetings lead by the Retention Office Manager (ROM) every other month in the Wing Conference Room.

• The calendar invite has been confirmed and sent out by the Wing Executive Team as an outlook request.

How the UCA puts structure to the program

• The UCA has access to their Unit's SRP roster and blank CMP surveys. 

- Initial CMP Survey

- Reenlistment CMP Survey

- Follow Up CMP Survey

• The UCA will facilitate completion of the CMP surveys by the member and get the surveys to the Commander. 

• After the Commander has reviewed and signed the forms, the UCA will get the forms back to the Retention Office Manager for data entry. 

• The member can complete the survey on their phone or computer, and or print it off and complete it with wet ink. 

• The UCA and Commander will review the surveys and use the information to help lead individual members and the team.

• Following the survey, the UCA and Commander have a great opportunity to engage in discussion with the member. That action demonstrates attentiveness to their inputs. 

Schedule for the Surveys -

1) Initial CMP Survey (sample of this linked here)

• Completed within 90 days of transfer to the Unit if Prior Service.

• Completed within 90 days of return from Tech School.

• If Seasoning (MEST) days are provided, this is a good time to complete this.

2) Reenlistment CMP Survey (sample of this linked here)

• Completed 9 to 12 months from a member's ETS.

• The UCA can send this to the member in advance of a drill.

• The member can complete the survey on their phone or computer or print it off and complete it with wet ink.

3) Follow Up CMP Survey (sample of this linked here)

• If a member state they are not planning on reenlisting on their Reenlistment CMP Survey, this Follow Up CMP Survey is given 6 months to 3 months from their ETS date as an additional effort to ensure the Commander has information to help understand the member's situation and perspective. 

Here is a free app that allows the member to complete the form on their phone.

Adobe Fill & Sign (you do not need to make an account to use it and it is free).

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adobe.fas&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/sr/app/adobe-fill-sign-form-filler/id950099951

Helping our members make informed decisions

If during a discussion or on the survey a member shares their goal is to complete a 4-year degree by the end of their first term of enlistment, the UCA can ensure that person has access to their education benefits and clarify any obstacles they have or at the least point them to the right person or organization to help. 

In that situation, they could use this Retention website to go through the GI Bill Ch. 1606 steps to apply (linked up here), and State Tuition Reimbursement program (linked up here) and or perhaps give them this GI Bill Power-point presentation (best viewed on mobile phone). 

Or another example may be the member is coming up on their ETS and is curious if there are any bonuses to incentivize continuing service.

The UCA should be familiar with the Retention Programs Website (no need memorize the information, but at the least know of it as a reference for the member). The UCA could provide this link to BONUS programs or this link to know how to re-enlist.

What should be emphasized is, following the survey, the UCA and Commander have a great opportunity to engage in discussion with the member. That action demonstrates attentiveness to their inputs. 

Summary

In summary, the UCA program provides benefits to both the Commander and the member. The UCA puts structure to the program with scheduled surveys for the member and Commander. 

Through the surveys and the conversations that follow, Commanders will gain a good measure of their team's needs by what is going well and what is not going so well. 

It also encourages open dialogue and open discussions help with strategy and process improvements. 

UCA Meetings are typically every other month.

FY25 Schedule

• November 2, 2024 0900-1000

• December - No meeting

• January 11, 2025 0900-1000

• February - No meeting but SAV for MSG, MDG, AW, and OG

• March 1, 2025 0900-1000

• April - No meeting but SAV for MXG

• May 3, 2025 0900-1000

• August 2, 2025 0900-1000

FY24 Schedule Completed

• August 5th, 2023 from 0900-1000.

• October 14th, 2023 from 0900-1000.

• December 3rd, 2023 from 0900-1000.

• February 3rd, 2024 from 0900-1000.

• April 6th, 2024 from 0900-1000.

• June none due to Wing Schedule

• July none due to Wing Schedule

• August 3rd, 2024 from 0900-1000.