Maj. Benjamin Bennet answers a question about his job as the 4th Infantry Division force manager during a June 24, 2016 leader development panel discussing functional areas available to Army officers. (Photo by 1st Lt. Logan Bolitho)
By 1st Lt. Logan Bolitho
4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
The 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, held a leader development panel June 24, 2016, to discuss different functional areas available to Army officers.
“The Army requires dedicated talent to fill functional area billets giving junior officers the opportunity to apply their basic branch experience to a new job preference and continue serving the Army with specialized skills,” said Maj. Peter Nesbitt, deputy operations research analyst, 4th Infantry Division.
A functional area (FA) is a grouping of officers by a career field rather than a branch, who possess a specific set of tasks and skills that may require significant education, training or experience.
Lt Col. Eric McCoy, commander, 4th BSB, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div., hosted the conference to educate young leaders across the brigade on the different career paths open to them after company command.
“Unlike some of our sister services, we require officers to serve successfully in their basic branches as a company grade officer before being given access into a functional area,” said McCoy. “Earlier knowledge of professional opportunities beyond their basic branch allows leaders to manage their careers more effectively and provide better talent management for the subordinates that they teach, coach and mentor.”
During the panel, leaders from 10 FAs spoke about the application process, opportunities for further education, likely jobs leaders would have in their area and future assignments. For example, those wishing to join the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate choose a school for their law degree and if it meets the functional area’s budget, they are sent there with the goal of passing the bar exam.
“The best thing about being in an FA is you get to design the future,” said Maj. Benjamin Bennet, force manager, 4th Inf. Div. “At the division level, I get to see new systems coming into the Army and help shape them.”
Many FAs also get to lead and shape new and evolved systems for the Army, such as the Acquisition Corps which is in charge of working with civilian contractors to develop new systems for the Army.
Some functional areas are even taking the Army out of this world. Space Command controls the Army’s space program, which provides key services such as maintaining the satellites which power the Army’s communications network.
Although the conference focused on officers, there are FAs available for NCOs. Panel members discussed how there are entire units in the Army based on specific FAs, such as public affairs.
“Learning that some FAs have NCO positions was extremely beneficial knowledge, and I would definitely recommend this conference to NCOs, should they have this again,” said Spc. Ashley Smith, executive assistant, 4th BSB.
After presentations were complete, the FA representatives answered one-on-one questions with Soldiers and leaders. They discussed what they enjoy most about being in an FA, tips for starting the application process and general information about the functional area.
“4th Infantry Division and the Army have an awesome story to tell, and I get to be the one who tells it,” said Lt. Col. Jason Brown, 4th Inf. Div. public affairs officer.
The entire conference is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= b7glGwdA_G4.