Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is an Assured Mid-Career Pathway (AMCP)?  

• • The Assured Mid-Career Pathways (AMCPs) are only those broadening assignments, Functional Area transfers or other assignment opportunities that follow basic branch required Captain Key & Developmental (KD) time as per AR 600-3 AND are offered as part of the TBCA program.  

2) Can I apply to more than one Assured Mid-Career Pathway (AMCP)?  

• • Yes. You can apply to multiple programs and specify your preferences.

3) Is there an Additional Duty Service Obligation (ADSO) associated with the Talent Based Career Alignment (TBCA) Program?  

• • No, there is not a TBCA specific ADSO.  Certain AMCPs do have an ADSO; however, the ADSO does not go into effect until the officer starts that program.   For example, an officer selected for the Congressional Fellowship AMCP would not incur a program ADSO until they started graduate school at George Washington University.  Each AMCP varies so for specific obligations please reference the program guide.

4) Does the TBCA program include a comprehensive list of all broadening assignments and Functional Area transfer opportunities for KD qualified Captains?   

• • No; however, TBCA consists of many broadening assignments and most Functional Areas in addition to select branch-specific opportunities for post KD Captains.  TBCA is the only way to secure these specific opportunities early.

• • For additional information on potential opportunities outside of the TBCA program, please see the Broadening Opportunity Catalog located here, your branch page in AIM2, or visit the individual Functional Area proponent’s milsuite site and/or webpage.

5) If I complete a TBCA AMCP, will I be eligible to conduct another broadening opportunity later in my career?  

• • Yes; however, if you are selected for a TBCA AMCP that includes a fully-funded graduate degree component, you will not qualify for consideration to any other program that includes a fully-funded graduate degree.

• • A fully funded graduate degree means that the tuition and fees were solely funded by the U.S. Government.  Degrees funded through Tuition Assistance (TA), Degree Completion, Cooperative Degree, Intermediate Level Education, GI Bill, or Commissioning Programs do not constitute a fully-funded graduate degree.  Click here for the  ACS webpage to learn more.

6) Why would I consider applying early?  I’d prefer to keep my options wide open, and might apply later during my Year Group’s normal application timeline.   

• • Applying and getting selected early does not in any way limit an officer’s flexibility or future options, nor does it cost anything since there is no TBCA ADSO.  Additionally, selected officers can remove themselves from their AMCP without penalty or prejudice prior to their AMCP’s revalidation checkpoint, which will be clearly communicated in the Statement of Understanding.

• • Applying early allows you to gain a better understanding of what opportunities exist beyond your branch required CPT KD assignment, and it will inform you on whether or not you are extremely competitive for those AMCPs.

• • As you might imagine, there are a limited number of slots for each AMCP each year.  Thus the greater the amount of early selected officers, then there will be a fewer number of slots available in the future during that same YG’s normal application timeline.  Moreover, the greater the amount of early selected officers from a specific branch, then there will be a fewer number of officers from that same branch allowed to transfer to a Functional Area or conduct an immaterial broadening assignment in the future.

• • In summation, early application and selection will better inform you of your actual opportunities and can secure you one of those opportunities should you desire to keep it; thereby, providing you and your family with stability and predictability for a greater period of time.

7) If selected, what guarantee is in place to ensure I maintain my Assured Mid-Career Pathway (AMCP)?  

• • The selected Officer will sign a Statement of Understanding (SOU) whereby the Officer is conditionally hired for a future assignment or Functional Area transfer contingent on specified levels of performance during CPT KD.  The G-1 of the Army is the guarantor of the SOU.  If, for any reason, the terms of the SOU are not met or conditions change, the AMCP will need to request and obtain the Army G1’s approval to deviate from the SOU.

8) Does getting selected for an AMCP bump me to the front of the command queue?    

• • No, but the Director of the Army Talent Management Task Force (ATMTF) will communicate with your gaining unit informing them that you have been selected for a competitive program which has specific timeline considerations. 

9) What happens if I’m not selected?  

• • The ATMTF will provide individual feedback to you for developmental purposes so that it enables you to become more competitive if you choose to reapply later with your YG’s normal timeline.

10) When is the revalidation checkpoint and what is the revalidation criteria?   

• • The SOU stipulates the AMCP’s revalidation criteria that the officer must maintain and obtain prior to a specific revalidation checkpoint date in order to remain in good standing for this future opportunity.

• • Typically, the revalidation checkpoint is associated with one and/or two key events:
    1. The officer’s first KD OER, and/or
    2. The NLT officer opt-out date, which is when the AMCP would have to work with HRC to fill the assignment in the event that it becomes vacant.

11) What if I don’t meet the revalidation criteria?  

• • The AMCP has the discretion and flexibility to allow the officer to continue or seek the officer’s removal; however, to release the officer from the SOU, the AMCP will need to justify their request and obtain approval from the Army G-1.

12) What happens if I can’t meet the specified timeline for my AMCP?   

• • There is potential flexibility in many circumstances that would result in a successful outcome if the specified AMCP timeline is impacted.  You need to communicate as early as possible with the ATMTF POC, your AMCP POC, and your HRC Branch Career Manager if your timeline is going to be impacted for any reason.

13) What happens if I need to opt-out of my selection, or I simply want to pursue other opportunities?    

• • ATMTF fully acknowledges that life happens and preferences change over time; therefore, TBCA selected officers can remove themselves from their AMCP without penalty or prejudice prior to their AMCP’s revalidation checkpoint.  As such, officers in this situation (once removed) can compete for other program opportunities and marketplace assignments as they desire.