Virtually all officers in the ranks of lieutenant colonel and below will be able to search for their next assignments using an online Talent Marketplace system.
Until now, Talent Marketplace was only open to more than 4,000 officers in those ranks — rated officers as well as those in cyberspace operations, force support, air liaison, space operations, operations research and health services administrator career fields. But now, the Air Force Personnel Center said Thursday, all officer Air Force specialty codes except judge advocates general can search for jobs on the platform for the Winter 2019-2020 assignment cycle.
Talent Marketplace, which was launched last April, seeks to give officers an easier way to see what jobs are available when it comes time for their next assignments. AFPC said it also helps commanders see what their officers' preferences are for their next jobs, and allows commanders more input.
The website also allows filtering, offers greater information on billets, and other features to make them more user-friendly.
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“The key to Talent Marketplace is its ability to provide officers with more realistic assignment expectations,” Capt. William Werner, chief of assignment program development at AFPC, said in the release. “At the same time, Talent Marketplace gives all stakeholders — airmen, commanders, billet owners, higher headquarters management levels and AFPC — a greater voice in the process.”
AFPC is also considering further expansions of Talent Marketplace, which could include using it to manage enlisted assignments, professional development or 365-day deployments.
“This system will not magically fix our various officer shortages nor dramatically increase retention,” Werner said. “But it is designed to provide increased transparency and interaction that should lead to greater awareness and satisfaction with the assignment process.”
AFPC said all officers should update their account on myVECTOR, the Air Force’s web-based mentoring, knowledge sharing and career planning network, by Feb. 8, and update their profile information in Talent Marketplace. AFPC has also posted tutorial videos showing how to use Talent Marketplace on its YouTube channel.
Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.
