What exactly do "career counselors" do? Do they represent the service member or the military?

SSG Jeremy Siebenaller — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:39:58 -0500

This question will piss a lot of people off and make others think back to when they were dealing with one. I ask this question because I've recently been thrown back on a trip through memory lane when looking at SGT Private RallyPoint Member question. He is either going to make a career ending decision within the next couple days because his unit has come up on orders to "deploy" to Korea. Now I don't know much about Korea. I don't know much about "fences" and I sure as hell don't know much about the new Army. but let me tell you what I DO know....
When my son was born in September of 2007 I was on my way out of the Army. I was simply not taking my terminal leave because I knew he was coming and I wanted to hold off as long as I can. He was born in Fort Bragg NC so I traveled from Ft Polk La to Bragg to be there. When I got back to Polk I was expecting clearing papers and a pat on the back. What I got was called into my 1SG's office for him to break the news to me that I was "stop lossed". Not understanding what was REALLY going down and being young and not knowing the events that were about to unfold....I quietly accepted and went about my way.
I was stop loss for 18 months because my unit came down on orders to go to Baghdad. Not being to happy about it, I wasn't the most pleasant guy to be around! I kept trying to get with my "career counselor" and see what I could do! Of course he told me repeatedly "nothing you can do bub!"
Sorry it took me so long to get to the point...So here is...What exactly do "career counselor" do?! Obviously they're not in it simply for the soldier! Are they really just the "middle man" between boots on the ground and office doors of the Army? Are they more concerned about number for the Army than they are the soldiers best interests?! I've been a little salty about this, beings that I was voluntold that I was going to miss the first two years of my sons life, first steps, first words, first smiles, first sentence, etc. etc....and I (being a responsible father) Had already planed my military experience around my family, and planned to start my family as I exited the military. I'm sure there are plenty of Career counselors on here. Just give us the honest skinny on whats up! SFC Mark Merino anyone you know out there that can help out?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 10 at 2014 9:46 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:46:40 -0500

There are 446 strong on RallyPoint. I'm not really following the specifics of the situation but I know SGM Matthew Quick is always a wealth of professional information.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Nov 10 at 2014 9:47 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:47:17 -0500

This looks like a great question for SSG Joaquin Goicoechea, SGM Matthew Quick, MSG Private RallyPoint Member, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, MSG Private RallyPoint Member, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, SFC Private RallyPoint Member or MSG Private RallyPoint Member. I am sure any of them can add a valuable perspective.

It would be great to hear from any of the other hundreds of Army Career Counselors on the site as well:

https://www.rallypoint.com/specialties/79s-career-counselor/primary

Find Career Counselor (79S)'s on RallyPoint

Connect with other 79Ss. Share you knowledge and get the career advice you need from others with your experience.

Response by SFC Gary KIser made Nov 10 at 2014 10:01 PM

SFC Gary KIser — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 22:01:38 -0500

Attrition management. Prevent brain drain.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Nov 10 at 2014 10:01 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 22:01:19 -0500

So, because you were stop lossed 7 years ago by the Army, SSG Jeremy Siebenaller, you're trying to taking it out on Career Counselors by saying we don't care about Soldiers? Career Counselors do not have, and have never had, ANY control over the Army's stop-loss program.

If you're looking for the duties and responsibilities of Career Counselors, please reference AR 601-280, paragraph 2-2...none of which talks about "concern for a number"; retention missions are the commanders' concerns. I'll let you look up this regulation and educate yourself and when you've done some research, please feel to re-engage.

I'll let you know what Career Counselors don't do...baby Soldiers, especially NCOs.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Nov 11 at 2014 11:34 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 11:34:46 -0500

Not sure how much the Army Career Counselor and Air Force Career Assistance Advisor overlap but I know on the AF side, they are really only there to advise you of your options (or lack thereof) when it comes to retraining (reclassing), reenlisting, Base of Preference, advise on EPME, run NCOPD courses and a myriad of other personnel programs that effect enlisted folks.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Nov 11 at 2014 11:46 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 11:46:02 -0500

SSG Jeremy Siebenaller , It sound like you really didn't actually read the DD Form 4 you signed for your enlisted. Specifically the back side of it that covers stop loss and involuntary extensions of your enlistment.

Response by MSG Curtis Lange made Nov 11 at 2014 10:01 PM

MSG Curtis Lange — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 22:01:44 -0500

I spent 20-years of my 25+ years on active duty as a Career Counselor, so I may have a different perspective for you.

A question I have not seen answered in this thread is "Who does the Career Counselor work for?" I can tell you from experience that they work for both the Soldier and for the Army.

Working for the Soldier is done by explaining Army policies and how they apply to a given Soldier's situation. Sometime we have to give answers that the Soldier does not like.

Working for the Army is different than working for a CSM or whoever has been designated as the individual Career Counselor's rater. Believe me than it is not always a CSM as my NCOERs through the years will show.

A Career Counselor that is effective is sometimes stuck in the middle of bad situations. A good Career Counselor will work with the Army to take care of the individual Soldier within the needs of the Army. Ever situation is unique and experienced Career Counselor's will work with Retention Management Branch at the Human Resources Command to do what is right for a Soldier. Unfortunately not every Soldier is exceptional and have the backing of their chain-of-command to get an exception to policy.

Block assignments for units and drawdown scenarios do not leave Soldiers, HRC, or Career Counselors many option other than doing what the Army has directed. A Career Counselor does a disservice when they do not take the time to fully explain why certain policies apply and the options a Soldier has under those circumstances.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 7:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:11:46 -0500

Every Career Counselor I have met was exceptional. They are the ones that fight and try to take care of every soldier's interest as far as duty assignment duty location etc...

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 9:20 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:20:28 -0500

SSG Siebenaller, in my experience they are not in-service recruiters; the most effective are objective, are up-to-date guidance counselors.