Wing seeks career advisor Published Jan. 30, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Master and senior master sergeants who are interested in venturing outside of their careerfield for a few years should consider applying for the 52nd Fighter Wing career assistance advisor position. "The career assistance advisor is the primary advisor to commanders and supervisors on retention issues," said Master Sgt. Thomas Hartswick, the current 52nd FW CAA. "We assist commanders and supervisors in career counseling their folks. We provide the right tools to help the supervisors help their folks make the best career decisions for them, their families and the Air Force. Additionally the CAA is responsible for all the enlisted professional enhancement courses." The base CCA also handles a wide variety of programs that requires strong organizational skills. He builds, schedules and facilitates all the NCO and SNCO professional enhancement courses and Right Decision Briefings, performs career counseling, visits units and manages a geographically separated units support plan and is the CAA Web site manger. Sergeant Hartswick said he has enjoyed found his experiences as the CAA helping Airmen and their families. "I get to help the men and women of the 52nd FW and their families by providing them career counseling tools and avenues that they might not otherwise be aware of so they can make the sound decisions about their Air Force careers," he said. The availability of information to family members online through the Air Force Portal is something that Sergeant Hartswick thinks is important. "We should be educating our families because they sacrifice so much and can help us make the right career choices," he said. In addition, to helping keep families informed as a CCA Sergeant, Hartswick is able to work with the newest Airman at Spangdahlem AB. "I get to see the future of the Air Force pass through the First Term Airmen Center's doors," he said. "I talk to them knowing they will carry the torch long after I'm gone and, more importantly trusting them to take care of something we all love so much ... 'our freedom.' Nothing has been more rewarding then that." As the base CAA, Sergeant Hartswick has had many unique experiences. One that stands out in his mind was watching 72 master sergeants selects stand up unannounced and recite the Airmens Creed for the 3rd Air Force and 52 FW command chiefs. "They decided to do this as a group. It was a team decision and I couldn't be more proud," he said. "This is the quality of your saber SNCOs." He cautions that while the work is rewarding, the position will not be the right fit for all SNCOs. "The job and the hours are what you make of it," he said. "The beauty of this job is that you have the autonomy to make it whatever you want. You have to be self-sufficient and a go-getter if you want to make an impact for the folks in this wing. You'll get to exercise your talents, ideas and abilities to make it better." "The reason to apply for this job is because you care," Sergeant Hartswick said. "If you care about the men and women of the 52nd FW and especially their families, then this job is for you. When the Air Force had to cut more than 30,000 enlisted Airmen I had folks coming to me saying 'I can't get my CJR. What am I going to do? I have a wife and kids,' right then and there I knew this was bigger then someone just asking how to retrain or how to get into Tops in Blue." The application process requires applicants in the rank of senior or master sergeant to be a volunteer, who possesses a 7- or 9-skill level from any Air Force specialty code. They must have a letter of recommendation from their commander and be able to obtain 36 months retainability. Applicants also need their commander's and/or the Air Force Personnel Center's approval to be released from their AFSC, an Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery general score of 45 or greater. Additionally, they need a targeted military resume and copies of their last five enlisted performance reports. Also, if the volunteer is serving in a SRB skill with assign limit code 0, they must be within 24 months of their expiration. All applicants must also be prepared for an in-person interview. The Airman selected to become the next 52nd FW/CCA will start training April 1. Applications must be received by Feb. 4. For more information, call Sergeant Hartswick at 452-7829.