Now Is Not The Time to Skimp on Training!

THE PENTAGON, DC, UNITED STATES

08.02.2016

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Career Program 26

By: JB Brown, Chief, Civilian Manpower Branch, HQDA G-1

Having just returned from four weeks in Monterey, California to attend the Defense Resource Management Course (DRMC), it occurred to me that it has been some time since I’ve attended any work training. In fact, it’s been a VERY long time. And that’s not a good thing!

I realize that’s not a good thing -- but like so many other Army civilians working in organizations that have seen their offices getting smaller each year, there never really seems to be a good time to be gone. Many of us fear the idea of spending a day (or even a month!) in training because of the work that waits for us upon our return. Delaying projects, briefings or meetings is rarely an option. And nobody wants to burden their fellow co-workers with additional work. Mostly, though, it’s the disruption to our normal routine. We like a certain level of comfort that’s part of our daily routine while we perform our regular duties.

And yet, these are all shortsighted arguments. The benefits of training can be far-reaching. It’s exactly now that training offers its biggest benefits to not only Army civilians, but also those same Army organizations getting smaller who are looking to become more effective and efficient.

So what exactly are the benefits? To the Army civilian it’s an opportunity to improve some skills that may be outdated or to learn a new skill or way of doing something.

DRMC may not be the most appropriate training for every management analyst (it’s a four week resident course in California that teaches how the DoD allocates its resources). But its intense focus on quantitative and qualitative methods for analysis made it the perfect complement to performing my regular duties as a management analyst better. And that’s ultimately a benefit for the Army too. It’s important for all Army civilians to evaluate their capabilities and take advantage of training opportunities. Doing more with less only works when the Army and its civilians can increase their productivity.

The bottom line is that Army civilians who are afforded the opportunity to gain knowledge from attending training will eventually be better at performing their jobs. That’s exactly why the Army continues to offer training opportunities. The Army recognizes the value of investing in education as an investment in success!

**Editor's note: JB Brown is currently the Chief of the Manpower Branch in the Plans & Resources Directorate in HQDA G-1 where he manages Civilian manpower allocations for the Army. Born in San Antonio, Texas to an Air Force officer, JB has spent most of his life around the military. After college, JB worked in HQDA G-3 as a Command Analyst managing the military and civilian manpower of a number of Army Commands. JB also spent nearly three years working as a management analyst at HQs, U.S. Army Europe & 7th Army in Heidelberg, Germany before returning to Washington D.C., where he now calls home.**

• Date Taken: 08.02.2016
• Date Posted: 08.04.2016 10:37
• Story ID: 206049
• Location: THE PENTAGON, DC, US
• Hometown: HEIDELBERG, BW, DE
• Hometown: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US
• Hometown: WASHINGTON, DC, US