LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
His job is career assistance advisor, but like many Airmen in today's Air Force, mission success may require an additional duty. In this case, the role of career/life counselor unofficially comes with the territory.
"My job is to inform, guide and provide Airmen the information to help further their careers," said Master Sgt. Timothy Godfrey, Lackland career assistance advisor, 802nd Force Support Squadron. "Some Airmen want me to tell them what to do and I can't do that; it's hard sometimes, but I have to leave what I think out.
"I have to be very objective even though there are times I want to be subjective, especially with the younger Airmen. It's career counseling but it's more like career/life counseling."
Sergeant Godfrey's best advice for all Airmen is summed up in one word: education. He said getting a Community College of the Air Force degree, working toward a bachelor's degree and completing career development courses build a foundation for career advancement.
"When I talk to senior airmen and below, I ask them 'what do you want to do with your career?'" Sergeant Godfrey said. '"Do you want to make senior or chief (master sergeant)? Do you want to go to OTS (Officer Training School)? What are you doing to set yourself up for success in the future?'
"If you seriously want to make the Air Force a career, you have to go to school," he added.
Part of the life counseling comes into play when he's approached by first-term Airmen who are considering separation or are interested in changing career fields.
Though there is no guarantee, Sergeant Godfrey said first termers have a better chance of retraining into another career field; the longer the service time, the more difficult it is to switch career fields.
"The Air Force wants to keep the first termers," Sergeant Godfrey said, "and will probably give an Airman the opportunity to retrain. But as an Airman advances and gains experience, it is more difficult to change career fields; their career field also wants to keep them."
He said the Air Force promotes a whole person concept for Airmen, with special duties available for career enhancement. Among those assignments are military training instructors, military training leaders, first sergeants, recruiters, NCO Academy instructors and career field instructors.
And career assistance advisors.
"There's only one (career assistance advisor) per wing," Sergeant Godfrey said with a laugh, "and you have to leave after three years. I'm already thinking about what I want to do."
Like all Airmen, Sergeant Godfrey has to plan for his future, too. His assignment ends in October 2011.
The Lackland Career Assistance Office is located in Military Personnel Flight, Building 5616, or call 671-1575.