Career Programs within the Department of Defense serve as vital frameworks for structuring civilian career paths. These programs are designed to mirror the systematic career management seen in the military, offering civilian employees structured development, training, and mentorship opportunities throughout their careers. Much like the military uses MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) or Branch Codes to categorize roles, Career Programs functionally align civilian positions based on their occupational series and responsibilities.
For instance, Career Program 18 (CP 18) is designated for Materiel Management. This functional community plays a critical role in supporting the U.S. Army’s mission by overseeing the lifecycle management of materiel – encompassing everything from acquisition and distribution to maintenance and disposal. CP 18 positions are integral to ensuring that the Army has the necessary equipment and supplies, in the right quantities, at the right time, and in the right place.
Within the broader context of Department of Defense initiatives, Career Programs, including CP 18, facilitate competency-based workforce assessments, identify Mission Critical Occupations (MCOs), and contribute to the overarching functional community framework established by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).
Currently, there are 31 Career Programs encompassing the entirety of the Army civilian workforce. This alignment includes all position types, such as Appropriated Fund, Non-Appropriated Fund, Direct Hire Foreign Nationals, and Federal Wage System positions. These programs span a diverse range of occupational specialties, from Human Resource Management and Engineering to Medical, Legal, Finance, Contracting, and Information Technology. CP 18 specifically focuses on the crucial area of Materiel Management, ensuring logistical and supply chain excellence.
Each Career Program, including CP 18, provides detailed training and development plans. These plans, accessible through platforms like Army Career Tracker, outline clear career progression paths, associated training opportunities, and recommended position assignments to support professional growth within Materiel Management.
To ensure effective management and development within each Career Program, a senior-level official, known as the Functional Chief (typically a Senior Executive Service member or General Officer), is appointed. This Functional Chief is responsible for integrating training, education, and professional development into the career lifecycle of their respective program. For CP 18, the Functional Chief provides leadership and strategic direction for the Materiel Management community.
Supporting the Functional Chief is the Functional Chief Representative (FCR). The FCR is responsible for the direct management and oversight of the Career Program at the Army component level. In the context of CP 18, the FCR acts as the Army Component Functional Community Manager for Materiel Management, working in coordination with the OSD Functional Community Manager to ensure the CP 18 community possesses the functional expertise required to effectively support both Department of Defense and Army missions.
For those seeking more in-depth information about Career Program management and CP 18, the following resources are available:
- Army Regulation (AR) 690-950, Career Program Management, 16 November 2016
- Army Career Tracker: https://actnow.army.mil/wps/myportal/act/plan/pdm
- Career Program Proponency Division MilSUITE site: https://www.milsuite.mil/book/community/spaces/Civ-HR/civilian-career-programs-management
