Professional Development

General Information:

The Developmental Advisor (DA) is here to provide career counseling for any and all members of Team Buckley, with specialized knowledge in Retraining, Commissioning, and various additional retention programs.

The DA is also here to help with Team Buckley’s Professional Development needs. Classes are offered on a rotational basis, with the availability of supporting additional classes hosted by other units across the Installation.

Mandatory courses ran by the DA include: First Term Enlisted Course (FTEC), NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar (NCOPES), Informed Decision Seminar (IDS), and the SNCO Professional Enhancement Seminar (SNCOPES).

The DA will also assist Squadrons and Groups with providing relevant career information during Commander’s Calls when asked, as well as hosting Town Halls for annual programs and new programs that the force should be aware of.

The Developmental Advisor is currently MSgt Dustin Hoffman, may be reached via email at dustin.hoffman.2@spaceforce.mil, via phone at
720.847.6933

FTEC Overview and Course Info:

The First Term Enlisted Course is, per AFI 36-2670, mandatory for all First Term Airmen and Guardians whose first duty station is Buckley Garrison, to include any members assigned to one of its tenant units. Members who are eligible to attend will be pulled from RAW and contacted directly by the DA and/or the FTEC NCOIC to register for a class. Completion is mandatory within 45 days of arrival on station. Courses are held every 3-4 weeks for 4 consecutive days.

Currently, Our FTEC NCOIC can be reached at 720.847.6300

Retraining Info:

Retraining is a program available to ALL Airmen and Guardians. Under the First Term Airman/Guardian program, you are eligible to retrain when you are between 35 and 43 months of service if you are a 4-year enlistee, and between 59 and 67 months of service if you are a 6-year enlistee. You must first verify that you are eligible, referencing Table 4.1 in AFI 36-2626 is the easiest way. Then, you must reference the Online Retraining Advisory list to determine which AFSCs have available open “OBJ IN” (Objective In) quotas for First Term Airmen/Guardians. Then, you may submit your request for retraining using UP TO 5 AFSCs that you are interested in retraining into. Should you need assistance, contact the DA for one-on-one counseling.

If you are a Second/Career Term Airman/Guardian, you will follow the same process as First Term Airmen/Guardians; however, you must verify that your current AFSC has “OBJ OUT” (Objective Out) quotas on the Online Retraining Advisory list. If your current AFSC does not have out quotas, you may submit an ETP (Exception to Policy) MFR to request it be waived. If you are seeking retraining, but have a line number, you must look at “OBJ IN” (Objective In) quotas for your projected grade. Should you need assistance, contact the DA.

Mandatory Course Overview & Info:

NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar (NCOPES):

This course is held a minimum of four times per year according to AFI 36-2760. Members who are eligible to attend will be pulled from RAW and contacted directly by the DA to register for a class. It is highly recommended that all members pulled from RAW attend. The course is also open to all E-5s and E-6s who have gone through ALS more than 12 months ago, and who have not yet attended NCOA. This 3-day seminar is designed to enhance your supervisory skills as well as augment and reinforce information taught in basic military training, technical training, ancillary training, PME, and job experience.

Informed Decision Seminar (IDS):

This course is held at least once per month according to AFI 36-2670, and is a mandatory requirement for all First- and Second-Term Airmen/Guardians when they are within 12 – 15 months of their Date of Separation, regardless of their career decision. Members who are eligible to attend will be pulled from RAW and contacted directly by the DA to register for a class. This course is not to be confused with the Pre-Separation Briefing or TAP, which is run by the Airmen/Guardian & Family Readiness Center, who can be reached at 720.847.6681.

This informational brief is designed to assist with making an informed decision on reenlistment or separation, and topics include: Air Force compensation, retraining, assignments, Air National Guard and Air Reserve options and service life intangibles. Spouses are also welcome to attend.

SNCO Professional Enhancement Seminar (SNCOPES):

This course is held a minimum of once per year according to AFI 36-2670. Members who are eligible to attend will be pulled from RAW and contacted direction by the DA to register. It is highly recommended that all members pulled from RAW attend. The course is also open to all MSgt-selects and those who have had MSgt on for less than 12 months. This 5-day seminar is designed to enhance your leadership and supervisory skills as well as augment and reinforce information taught in basic military training, technical training, ancillary training, PME, and job experience. This seminar provides a learning environment where we will discuss some of the pertinent issues and programs that new SNCOs will likely work with on a regular basis. It will also prepare our newest MSgts to tackle their new duties and role within the organization.

Additional Resources

Course & Career Counseling Registration, and PD SharePoint homepage links: