My Experience as a Manpower and Force Management Career Program (CP26) Intern

THE PENTAGON, DC, UNITED STATES

09.03.2015

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Career Program 26

By Margarita Vargas

**Editors Note** Ms. Vargas joined the U.S. Army as a Supply Specialist (92Y), deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan 2011, and served four years. Upon her discharge, Ms. Vargas finished her MA in International Relations and Security Policy from St. Mary’s University, while working as a CAT III/Spanish Linguist contractor for the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). She was hired as a CP26 intern in October, 2013 as a member of the G-8 Manpower Management Team at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York.

I have been privileged to participate in the CP26 intern program. As a CP26 Intern, I have been very fortunate to observe, assist and learn from senior Manpower and Force Management professionals and military leaders. The Army has remained the strength of our nation and as we approach nearly 15 years of war, it is imperative to remain vigilant for new hybrid threats and challenges while supporting our Soldiers. As Civil Servants and CP26 professionals, we have the responsibility to design the Army’s structure by determining manpower and equipment requirements for the total force.

My experience as an intern has been very rewarding. As a Soldier, I questioned how decisions were made because I had visibility of only a small piece of the puzzle. This program has provided me the opportunity to learn and witness how decisions are made at the strategic level. It is a relief to know that extensive deliberations, discussions and considerations are taking place; and that no decisions are made lightly.

The program will give you unlimited opportunities to develop your strengths and find the functional areas in which you wish to focus your career. As CP26 manpower and force managers we will be managing the manpower and equipment authorizations within different organizations with varied missions. It is imperative as an analyst to understand the different processes in order to justify and secure authorizations to satisfy the Army’s future mission requirements.

CP26 has given me invaluable opportunities to gain acquired skills through on-the-job training and professional development education courses that are constantly challenging me in a multi-dimensional experience, which I consider essential for my professional development. Courses of instruction such as the Manpower & Force Management Course and the Defense Resource Management Course will be your educational base. These courses will help you to comprehend, define and evaluate strategic factors that influence the development of the national security strategy, security objectives and strategy and program alternatives within the current budgetary constraints.

On the other hand, CP26 provides the opportunity to bring your academic knowledge into different organizations and experiences. I had the honor to have my first rotational assignment in the Force Development Directorate (FDP) of the U.S. Army Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8; under Col. Dover Seawright’s and Mr. Frank Carissimo’s leadership. This was one of the best experiences in my life; I always envisioned myself working with leaders that each day shape the kind of Army the nation needs for the future, and the opportunity became real.

During my time in FDP, I was able to experience a unique strategic view to fill capability gaps, the active management of resources both efficiently and economically to build the force structure, making recommendations and evaluating the risk. The FDP team is divided in three branches: Organizational Documentation Analysis, Transparency and Affordability Analysis. Each branch has different responsibilities, with the mission to manage the resource and documentation for Tables of Equipment (TOE), Modified Tables of Equipment (MTOE), Basis of Issue Plans (BOIP), Force Development Updates (FDU), Equipment Review and Validation Board (ERVB), Transparency and so much more. The unique environment and mission managed in FDP has given me a great understanding of how the Army runs in real life. The amount of responsibility and dedication that each member of the FDP team gives motivates me to become a better version of myself.

I was provided the unique opportunity to participate in the preparation and analysis leading up to an Organizational Requirements Document Approval Briefing Council of Colonels (CoC) and General Officer Steering Committee. In addition, I also was involved in two ERVB CoC 4610-R (TDA equipping process) meetings. In FDP, I learned the assessment processes for examining the current and future force, determining deficiencies in present capabilities, identifying need for corrective actions and developing corrective actions in light of current technological opportunities within a FDU. I also had the opportunity to provide professional analysis and recommendations concerning the cost, affordability, feasibility and supportability on seven requirements and authorizations documents (JCID, BOIPFD, BOIP). This is a very small assessment of all the lessons learned within FDP.

In addition, I was afforded a second rotational assignment at the U.S. Army Force Management Support Agency (USAFMSA). Col. Keith Rivers and Mr. Christopher Garito granted me the opportunity to gain knowledge of the unique mission that USAFMSA has to develop and maintain Army’s organizational requirements and authorization documents. Within my time in USAFMSA, I learned the importance of documentation. It is vital to institutional and doctrinal base models, which form the baseline for standardized modular units, and provides minimum essential wartime requirements to perform a full range mission.

I learned that documentation helps synchronize resources to create a full spectrum of capabilities from both the Operating (MTOE) and Generating Force (TDA’s-AUGTDA). USAFMSA builds MTOE’s applying the doctrinal model TOE’s and other numerous model rules and guidance, which establish the baseline against which readiness is reported. In addition, USAFMSA creates and documents TDA’s, which prescribe organization personnel and equipment for a unit/organization that does not have a TOE.

USAFMSA turns both MTOEs (Science) and TDAs (Art) into accurate, detailed and executable documents. Within my time in USAFMSA, I had several rewarding learning experiences. I would like to highlight one of the aspects that changed my professional and personal view in the importance of USAFMSA mission. Mr. Kulynnych, Chief of Sustainment Branch TDA, gave me the opportunity to learn about Arlington National Cemetery’s TDA that has the primary mission “to lay to rest those who have served our nation with dignity and honor.” I had the opportunity to visit the cemetery and observe three funerals (one for each service). I observed and analyzed the manpower and equipment requirements versus the authorized. This experience showed me that my job as a CP26 employee affects real organizations and people.

I want to express my gratitude to all the FDP G-8 and USAFMSA Division Chiefs and team members, especially to Mr. Kevin Kuss and Ms. Lori Mongold. Thanks again for teaching, guiding, mentoring and helping me to grow and visualize the type of leader that I want to be as a CP26 careerist. Every decision, recommendation and analysis is tangible within the several organizations across the Army.

To my fellow interns, I truly do not have enough words to express my experience as a CP26 intern. This has been an incredible journey, now we are the future leaders of the Army and I invite you to give 100% and to learn as much as you can. The Army needs people with vision that act with values and convictions. As my mother always said, the sky does not have limits, so conquer all your dreams and formulate a new direction, a new way of doing things; work hard and remember your attitude determines your altitude. Welcome to Army’s best-kept secret, the “CP26 intern program” and remember to always be your best and do your best because we support the best Army on earth.

• Date Taken: 09.03.2015
• Date Posted: 09.04.2015 10:43
• Story ID: 175270
• Location: THE PENTAGON, DC, US
• Hometown: WEST POINT, NY, US