Career progression: Personal charge Published Feb. 6, 2009 By Linda Richart Base training manager F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Career progression, upgrade training -- however you want to name it, it is important and ultimately your responsibility as an Airman in the U.S. Air Force to maintain a skill level commensurate to your rank. As your base training manager, I am responsible to ensure the upgrade training status of every enlisted member on base is tracked and reported to the wing commander. When I was an Airman arriving at my first duty station. Everything was new to me: the country, the base and the new duty position as an aerospace ground equipment mechanic. I didn't have an idea of what to expect. After all the in-processing was over, it was time to get introduced to my work center. After meeting with the squadron training manager and my supervisor, and they enrolled me into my career development course. They briefed me that I was to complete them in a timely manner -- along with other requirements they mentioned that fell into the back of my mind -- so I could be upgraded to my 5-skill-level. Here I was thinking, "Okay. I just graduated from a four month technical school to get the training needed to get started in my new job ... and now I have to do these CDCs?" I didn't understand I had entered my technical school as a 1-level and once graduated, I had been awarded my 3-level. This is where many young Airmen are at. They arrive at their first duty station and enter into the 5-level upgrade training on the first day on station. For all first term Airmen, the requirements needed to fulfill a 5-skill-level are CDCs, complete all core and duty specific tasks in your training records, 15 months time in upgrade training status and the recommendation of your supervisor. Once all the mentioned requirements have been met, you will be awarded your 5-level. Alright, well done. So now what? Well, by now you may be close to putting on your next stripe, senior airman. Congratulations. Now you've just stepped up to being a trainer and now get to share your knowledge with that new troop that just arrived last week. Hey guess what, more great news. Staff sergeant results just came out, and your name was on it. Yes, you know what that means -- you just got entered into your 7-level upgrade training. Requirements for a member to complete their 7-skill-level vary amongst Air Force specialty codes. Many, but not all, may require the completion of CDCs, attend a 7-level school, be in upgrade training for one year, complete all 7-level core and duty specific tasks in their training records and supervisor recommendation. Many of the requirements for 5- and 7-level upgrades I mentioned can be found in part one of your career field education and training plan, commonly known as your training records. The part one outlines your career path and timelines that you should be completing for certain qualifications, levels and ranks to maintain balance between skill level and rank. You should be taking an active role in the progress of your upgrade as an Airman. Your success is our success. Call any of us if you have questions concerning what your requirements are for upgrade training. We are here to help you succeed in getting that upgrade to the next skill level or getting that degree.