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Photo Information

Sgt. Maj. Derrick Mays, right, greets two firefighters at the Career Development Information Forum at the Lasseter Theater aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, March 6. The forum was hosted by representatives from Manpower and Reserve Affairs and the Community of Interest Program to educate Civilian Marines on the programs and training available to them. Mays is the sergeant major of MCAS Beaufort.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ashley Phillips

Career Development Information Forum prepares Beaufort to face challenges of tomorrow

10 Mar 2017 | Lance Cpl. Ashley Phillips Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

  Civilian Marines attended the Career Development Information Forum at the Lasseter Theater aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, March 6. The MCAS Beaufort employees attended the forum to learn about programs and resources they have at their disposal to develop their skills and expand their careers. 

  “As I stand here in front of you to- day I can say we don’t invest in you as much as we should,” said Jeff Bearon, the assistant deputy commandant of Manpower and Reserve Affairs. “We are going to invest more and train more to ensure you are successful as a civilian Marine.”

  The forum began with a speech from Col. Peter Buck, the commanding officer of MCAS Beaufort. Buck then introduced Bearon who went over the current work environment and how his department is working to ensure Civilian Marines receive the training and support they need despite budget cuts.

  “It’s something you hear a lot, but it’s very true,” said Bearon. “We are being asked to do more with less; and that’s exactly what we are doing. We have been using the resources we have to make sure you have resources to expand your job skills and training. Just like the Marines have non-commissioned officer schools, we are making sure you have schools and classes to train you as well.”

  The rest of the forum walked the Civilian Marines through how to use a program to track their training, how to use their free online classes and utilize their Community of Interest Program. The COI program breaks down their jobs into 19 groups with a senior executive in charge of each group. The Civilian Marines can use their communities to find mentors and learn about their job path.

  “Team Beaufort is facing the complex challenges of today,” said Buck. “In order for us to continue to lead and be prepared to face those challenges we need to invest in our most valuable resource, our people. Today I want you to ask questions, engage with mentors, get outside of your comfort zone and participate in the complex mission we have ahead of us.”

  For the last part of the forum the Civilian Marines went to a booth for their COI, engaged with one another and signed up to be in contact with their manager. The managers are in charge of making sure each community has the proper training and resources to en- sure they can accomplish their mission, continue to train and get better.


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