For those navigating the landscape of U.S. Army civilian careers, understanding the structure and pathways for professional growth is essential. Career Programs (CPs) serve as the backbone of this system, offering a framework for career management, development, and focused training. Within this structure, you might encounter designations like “CP 18 position.” But what exactly does this mean in practical terms?
Career Programs are essentially functional groupings of civilian positions within the Department of Defense, organized by Occupational Series. Think of them as similar to the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or Branch Codes used for military personnel. Just as an MOS defines a soldier’s role and career path, a Career Program designation aligns civilian positions based on their functional responsibilities. This alignment facilitates a lifecycle approach to career management, incorporating crucial elements like civilian development, targeted training initiatives, and mentorship opportunities.
This functional community approach is not just an internal Army initiative. Career Programs directly support broader Department of Defense goals. They are instrumental in implementing competency-based workforce assessments, identifying Mission Critical Occupations (MCOs), and contributing to the establishment of Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) functional communities. This ensures that the civilian workforce is highly skilled and strategically aligned with the evolving needs of the Army and the Department of Defense.
In total, there are 31 distinct Career Programs encompassing the entire Army civilian workforce. This includes a wide spectrum of positions, from Appropriated Fund and Non-Appropriated Fund roles to Direct Hire Foreign Nationals and Federal Wage System employees. These 31 programs cover diverse occupational specialties such as Human Resource Management, Engineering and Science, Medical, Legal, Comptrollers, Contracting and Acquisition, and Information Technology Management, to name a few.
For individuals seeking to advance their careers within a Career Program, structured development is readily available. Each Career Program publishes specific training and development plans. These plans clearly outline progressive career paths, detailing recommended training courses and potential position assignments at each stage. These invaluable resources are easily accessible through the Army Career Tracker (ACT), an online platform designed to support civilian career progression.
Furthermore, each Career Program benefits from dedicated leadership. A senior-level official, known as the Functional Chief (often a Senior Executive Service (SES) member or General Officer), is appointed to oversee each program. The Functional Chief is responsible for the comprehensive integration and management of training, education, and professional development opportunities throughout the entire human capital lifecycle of their assigned Career Program.
To assist the Functional Chief with the day-to-day management and oversight, a Functional Chief Representative (FCR) is also appointed. The FCR serves as the Army Component Functional Community Manager. They work in coordination with the OSD Functional Community Manager at the Department of Defense level to ensure that their Career Program community possesses the necessary functional proficiency to effectively support both Department of Defense and Army missions.
For those seeking deeper insights into Career Program management and specific details, the following resources are invaluable:
- Army Regulation (AR) 690-950, Career Program Management, dated 16 November 2016.
- Army Career Tracker: https://actnow.army.mil/wps/myportal/act/plan/pdm
- Career Program Proponency Division MilSUITE site: https://www.milsuite.mil/book/community/spaces/Civ-HR/civilian-career-programs-management
Understanding Career Programs, including designations like “CP 18 position” (likely referring to a position within Career Program 18, potentially Manpower and Force Management), is crucial for navigating and maximizing career opportunities within the U.S. Army civilian workforce. These programs provide structure, support, and clear pathways for professional growth, ensuring a skilled and ready civilian corps.
