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NOTE: ArmyConnect™ welcomes new Army Civilians and their supervisors. Although we reference the 2020 Army Civilian Implementation Plan, the Army published a 2022 Civilian Implementation Plan on 15 October 2022.
– ArmyConnect™ Staff –
THE US ARMY CIVILIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM
The 2020 Civilian Implementation Plan (CIP) contained four lines of effort (LOE).
- LOE 1, Acquire Talent
- LOE 2, Develop Talent
- LOE 3, Employ Talent
- LOE 4, Retain Talent
In support of these LOEs, on 01 October 2020, the Department of the Army, in alignment with the Army’s People First strategy, reorganized 32 Army Civilian Career Fields into 11 career fields. The consolidation enables the Army to build efficiencies and maintain a multi-functional leadership model, capable of leading Army Civilians across the entire organization. The realigned career fields fall under the Army Civilian Career Management Activity (ACCMA). Per the ACCMA portal, the Army established the organization for the “deliberate career management of Army Civilians to support accomplishment of the Army mission.”
With the stage set to build out the civilian workforce, the Army wanted to ensure there was a mean to develop talent (LOE 2). The Army Management Staff College (AMSC) educates and develops the Army Civilian Corps for leadership and management responsibilities. The Civilian Education System (CES) is a progressive and sequential leader development program that provides enhanced educational opportunities for Army Civilians throughout their careers. Army Civilians will become multi-skilled, agile leaders of the 21st Century who personify the Warrior Ethos in all aspects, from warfighting support, to statesmanship, to enterprise management.
This page covers just the wave tops for new Department of the Army Civilians (DACS) and their supervisors. Below you will find the following sections:
What are the Civilian Education System Courses?
What Documents to Expect on Your First-Day as a New Hire
The documents listed below are the most prevalent to start your employment and provided to you pre-filled based on your hiring process. Your supervisor may or may not receive a copy. Nevertheless, we’ve provided links for you and your supervisor just in case things go awry. And since it is the Army – please see below.
- Standard Form 61, Appointment Affidavit, Oath of Office
- Standard Form 1152, Designation of Beneficiary, Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee
- Standard Form 2823, Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program
- Standard Form 3102, Designation of Beneficiary, Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
- TSP Form 3, Designation of Beneficiary
- DD Form 2875, System Authorization Access Request (SAAR)
- Register for an Automated Time Attendance and Production System (ATAAPS) account
The forms listed below will get you started during your on-boarding process at most Army organizations/units. If you are new to the Department of Defense, there is a chance that you will not have a Common Access Card (CAC). That said, the minute you are reported as working by your supervisor to OPM and your SF 61 is completed and submitted to OPM, you should have the ability to get your CAC within 48-96 hours.
NOTE: Typical start date/time is at the start of a pay period. You can see the pay periods for the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) here.
Army Civilian Mandatory Training
- Review the 14 General Principles of Ethical Conduct (In true fashion, the OGE website link is broken)
- Level 1 Anti-terrorism via JKO
- DCPDS Emergency Contact Information for Employee
- Army Cyber Awareness Training 2023
- Mandated Army IT User Agreement
- Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Training (JS-US082)
- EEO Anti-Harassment & No FEAR for Non-Supervisors (EEO-203A) (This link requires NIPR and CAC to self-enroll via ATRRS self-development)
- Enroll and complete the Foundation Course
FOUNDATION COURSE
The course objectives are to understand U.S. Army leadership doctrine; increase self-awareness as it relates to one’s profession; understand team building, group dynamics, and effective communication; assess individual values and how they relate to professional ethics; understand how to manage professional advancement and leverage career potential; and complete administrative requirements expected of Army Civilians.
- The Role of an Army Civilian
- Core Values
- Problem Solving
- Flexibility and Resilience
- Written Communication
- Customer Service
- Continual Development
- Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP)
- Risk Management
BASIC COURSE
The Basic Course is designed for the Army Civilian leader who exercises direct leadership to effectively lead and care for teams. Per AR 350-1, the Basic Course is required for supervisors in grades GS 5–9 or equivalent. The course teaches students to solve problems, think critically, and understand basic Army problem solving methodology. The Basic Course is a 100% self-paced, online learning experience.
- Learning Styles Preferences
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Army Writing
- Briefing and Public Speaking
- Influential Feedback
- Leadership
- Coaching, Counseling, and Mentoring
- Team Building
- Managing Conflict
- Self-Development
- Ethical Reasoning
- Risk Management
INTERMEDIATE COURSE
The Intermediate Course prepares current and aspiring Army Civilian leaders (GS 10-12) to become more innovative, self-aware, and prepared to effectively lead and care for personnel and manage assigned resources at the organizational level. The course is required per AR 350-1 for Army Civilian supervisors in those grades. Training and developmental exercises focus on “mission” planning, team building, establishing command climate, and stewardship of resources.
The course is conducted through blended learning consisting of a distributed learning (DL) Phase 1 and an instructor-facilitated Phase 2.
ADVANCE COURSE
The Advanced Course prepares upper grade Army Civilian leaders (GS 13-15) to assume increasing levels of responsibility and leadership within organizations. The course is required per AR 350-1 for Army Civilian supervisors in those grades. Graduates are skilled in leading complex organizations in support of national security and defense strategies, managing organizational resources, leading change, inspiring vision and creativity, directing program management, and integrating Army systems.
The course is conducted through blended learning consisting of a distributed learning (DL) Phase 1 and an instructor-facilitated Phase 2.
US ARMY SUPERVISORS
Let’s go ahead and call ToD right now. No matter how fancy the Army wants to glam the Army Civilian Corps, training, and opportunities, the Army does not give Green-suiters a lot of information or training on how to properly supervise Army Civilians. This information vacuum is the best of the worst-kept secrets. Many civilians are quick to catch on that Army leaders do not know the inner-workings of OPM, CPAC, and local bargaining agreements and there is no effort to educate Army leaders accordingly, leading to a natural rift between what should be a synergistic and team-oriented relationship.
What is The Solution to Educating Army Leaders on Civilians?
Ha, ha, ha! Oh wow. Great stand up material. Seriously, all jokes aside, the lack of training Army leaders properly is an issue that has gone unchecked for decades. If there is a solution, we have not found it, but remain cautiously optimistic that someone out there can shed some light on this subject. And we are not ‘all in’ on distance learning. There is good news for Army leaders that continue to walk around with a cup half full with hope. You will see your fair share of fantastic Army Civilians, and a large swath existing in the happy medium regardless of your experience.
Remember, always treat your employees with respect, address concerns in a timely manner, and understand that they are a wealth of knowledge and experience. Tap into that as much as possible.
How to Improve Your New Hire Onboarding
For your new employees, you should pay attention to the list mentioned above. Additionally, here is an abbreviated guide below:
- Notify the OPM or CPAC representative that your new hire has arrived for work. NOTE: new hires cannot ‘clock in’ using ATAAPS. You must report them present for work.
- Ensure the new hire completed the following documents, Standard Form 1152, Standard Form 2823, Standard Form 3102, and TSP Form 3.
- Swear in the employee using Standard Form 61 and return all forms (some are completed digitally automatically) to the OPM or CPAC representative.
- Fill out a DD Form 2875, System Authorization Access Request (SAAR) for network and systems access.
- Check the Army’s Enterprise Identity, Credential and Access Management (ICAM) frequently to see when their account populates. Your S-6 (IT) will not be able to set up their account until they populate into ICAM.
- Coordinate with local Human Resources or your Brigade to establish an ATAAPS account.
- Ensure your new employee completes the required Civilian Education System courses. Typically the Foundations Course for new GS employees below GS-10.
Army Supervisor Training
Supervisors, you have some work to do before you can properly onboard your new Army Civilian employee. You need to be ready to receive and have completed all the required training. Below is a list of the minimal training needed to remain successful:
- ATAAPS Certifier Course (JS-US031) via JKO
- Supervisor Development Course (1-250-C53 (DL)) via ATRRS
- EEO Anti-Harassment & No Fear for Supervisors EEO-203B (This link requires NIPR and CAC to self-enroll via ATRRS self-development)
Sources
- Photo Credit: http://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/fwbin/download.dll/45153802.jpg
- “Educational Programs.” AMSC | Army University. Army Management Staff College, March 13, 2023. https://armyuniversity.edu/amsc/EducationalPrograms.
- “Home Page – ACCMA Portal.” Home Page – ACCMA_Portal. Army Civilian Career Management Activity. Accessed March 1, 2023. https://civilians.army.mil/.
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