New Interns introduced to the Army profession

Photo By Cory Hancock | Interns from Career Program 26 - Manpower and Force Management stand with the CP26 leadership following the annual CP26 Intern Orientation held at the Pentagon Conference Center, Jan 23.  

THE PENTAGON, DC, UNITED STATES

01.31.2015

Story by Cory Hancock 

U.S. Army Career Program 26

WASHINGTON – The newest class of Manpower and Force Management interns learned about the Army profession and how to grow into Army leaders of the future during the Career Program 26 - Manpower and Force Management (CP26) Intern Orientation at the Pentagon Conference Center, Jan. 21-23.

“The goal of the Intern Orientation is to bring our new interns here to the National Capital Region and introduce them to the career program, our senior leaders and each other. We want them to understand the parameters of the program, what's expected of them and that their internship and career is there for the making,” said Michele Davis, CP26 Intern Program manager. “We see this as an opportunity to build our bench similar to how the Army trains new officers. We expect for them to be our future manpower and force management leaders.”

This annual orientation brings new Manpower and Force Management interns to the Nation’s Capital once a year so that they can learn about CP26, professional development and their role within the Army.

“As a CP26 intern, there are plenty of opportunities available for me to develop an expertise in manpower and force management,” said Nicholas Nixon, a CP26 intern based at the Pentagon. “It’s my responsibility to fully engage in training opportunities and seek out a mentor to supplement the formal training requirements of the program. The orientation was a great way for our intern class to hear guidance for our professional development. I enjoyed learning alongside other CP26 interns and hearing their experiences as well.”

CP26 is one of the Army's thirty-one civilian career programs. It is composed primarily of management analysts who work in one or more of the nine manpower and force management functional areas. CP26 analysts work in a variety of organizations such as resource management, plans and training, documentation and management engineering at installations and major commands across the Army.

Planning the three day orientation begins well in advance of the course, with the CP26 Proponency Office contacting potential speakers six months prior to the start of the orientation. This planning ensures the attending interns receive briefings on a wide range of subjects that will help them throughout their career. During the orientation the interns were briefed on the roles and responsibilities of a Manpower and Force Management analyst and the nine different functional areas they will be exposed to during their two-year training program.

In addition, the interns received presentations on Lean Six Sigma, the National Guard Bureau and the Army’s Ready and Resilient Campaign. Several presentations focused on professional growth as an Army civilian. The interns were able to meet and hear from members of the Senior Executive Service and leaders in the manpower and force management field.

“The orientation explained the intern program itself and highlighted some of the expectations of CP26 interns,” said Nixon. “Speaking with past and current interns allowed our class to hear first-hand experiences with the program. The orientation was definitely helpful as I am trying to navigate my career path in the field. Hearing advice from Ms. Hancock and Ms. Davis was very helpful as a new and relatively inexperienced Army civilian.”

CP26 develops a professional cadre of manpower and force management professionals to design, develop and resource the Army's operating and generating forces in support of the National Military Strategy.

“The goal was not to match a face to a name, email or phone conversation, but to give the interns positive interactions with senior level officials and past and present interns,” said Shawn Dillahunt, CP26 Proponency Office and one of the main organizers of the orientation. “Also we wanted to answer all the questions and concerns the interns may have as they embark on their two-year journey though the CP26 intern program.”

• Date Taken: 01.31.2015
• Date Posted: 01.31.2015 19:19
• Story ID: 153243
• Location: THE PENTAGON, DC, US