What is Family and MWR?
MWR in history started on the battlefields of World War I, where behind the lines, Salvation Army sisters and Red Cross volunteers ministered to the needs of soldiers as the forerunners of today's morale, welfare and recreation specialists. After the war was over, funding stopped and morale programs were mothballed. It wasn't until July 1940 that the Morale Division - later named Special Services - was established within the Adjutant General's Office.
Between 1946 and 1955, the core recreation programs were established and staffed by a combination of active duty military and civilians. Until the mid - 1980s, active duty enlisted soldiers and officers held military occupational specialties in Special Services and were assigned at every level of command. As those occupational specialties were discontinued, civilians continued to operate MWR programs with military oversight. Special Services underwent much reorganization and had many names before coming to its present configuration.
In November 1984 the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center was established as the headquarters for MWR operations providing oversight and policy support, and also running certain specialty programs such as contracting, financial management, and other services, as well as operating management of the Armed Forces Recreation Centers and other special projects.
The Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command was established by the Department of the Army 24 October 2006, and has evolved from these early beginnings.
What is Family and MWR Philosophy?
Soldiers are entitled to the same quality of life as is afforded the society they are pledged to defend. Keeping an Army ready to fight and win takes more than hard work and training. Soldiers need a balance of work and play. The FMWRC mission is to create and maintain "First Choice" MWR products and services for America's Army, essential to a ready, self-reliant force.
What are the similiarities and differences between a NAF employee and GS-employee?
Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) positions are jobs that have to do with morale, welfare, and recreation income generating services on the installation. Income from the service is used to pay employees. Examples of services that offer NAF positions are the bowling center, golf course, and the child development center.. The NAF pay schedule is developed by the Department of Defense and consists of 6 pay bands. NAF positions range from NF-1 through NF-6. The position level and pay is not based on time in grade but performance, and employee skill level.
An Appropriated Fund (APF) position is a civil service position funded by Congress. These are typically General Scale (GS) positions providing opportunities in a wide range of career fields, such as information technology, child care, engineering, science, recreation, and customer service. The GS schedule consists of 15 grades, each grade having 10 steps/rates. Employees start at the step 1 salary and progress through 10 salary rates within the grade based on time in grade (not performance).
Both GS and NAF positions provide Life Insurance, retirement options, annual leave, and sick leave.
What would I do as a Management Trainee?
Management Trainees will relocate to a training site for 24 months of on-the-job training (OJT) at an Army installation. Training is conducted under the supervision of a trainer/mentor, followed by another 12 months of satisfactory performance in a specialty program area, for a total of 36 months. Your education or experience will mesh with the Army functional areas ranging from business and financial management to personnel administration. Your professional development is expanded by attending seminars and conferences. Take a glimpse at a typical day of a Management Trainee on the "Day-in-the-Life" of a Trainee Page!
What happens when I complete the OJT?
After 24 months of OJT, the Management Trainee Program’s staff will provide assistance to place you at a location where an NF-04 vacancy in your specialty exists. There, you will complete any unfinished requirements and transition into your new career!
Where will the jobs be located?
The training installations will be at Army Installations within the Continental United States (CONUS) or various installations in Europe. Permanent placement positions at the NF-4 level will be located within any Army Installation CONUS or Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS). They are determined by the functional area, need and training.
As a trainee am I ( the trainee) responsible for moving expenses?
No. If you are selected to become an Army MWR Management Trainee, the Family and MWR Command (FMWRC) will move you to your new duty station. As a trainee, you will be authorized a Permanent Change of Station in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR).
What happens if I leave/quit the program before fulfilling the 36-month mobility agreement?
If you leave./quit the program before completing the 36-month required period you WILL BE required to pay back the cost of training provided, any expenses associated with your PCS, and other items as stipulated in the mobility agreement.
If I am a Military Spouse and my husband/wife gets orders, what will happen?
If you are a military spouse and your husband/wife receives PCS orders you will still be required to fulfill the 36-month required training period at the location where you are placed. Upon completion of the 36-month fulfillment, it is your responsibility to secure employment at the duty station your spouse has located to.
If selected for the program, do I have a choice in locations?
No, the location where you are placed is based on the overall needs of the Army and the Garrisons ability to provide a well qualified trainer.
Can I apply to the NAF Management Trainee Program and/or Developmental Chef Program if I am a non-U.S. Citizen?
You must be able to obtain U.S. citizenship if selected for the position.
How can applicants check the status of their application and selection?
Applicants can check the status of their application by sending an email to MWRtrainee@conus.army.mil.
Can I submit a corrected resume if there are changes to my G.P.A., completion of a degree, contact information, or additional work experience since applying to the program?
Yes, you can submit corrected documents and information as long as all of the required documents were received and/or postmarked before the job announcement closed.
How many applicants apply each year and out of that number? How many are selected as Management Trainees or Developmental Chefs?
There are approximately 2,000 applicants that apply for the Management Trainee/ Developmental Chef Program each year. 20 Management Trainees and 8 Developmental Chefs are selected each year.
When will the NAF Management Trainee Program and Developmental Chef Program job openings be posted?
The job announcements are posted once per year between July and September. The announcement is typically open between 30-45 days.
Where will the NAF Management Trainee Program and Developmental Chef Program job opening be posted?
The NAF Management Trainee Program and Developmental Chef Program positions will be announced on the Vacancy Announcement Board at https://cpolwapp.belvoir.army.mil/public/vabSelfNom/index.jsp. In the “Keyword” search box, type in “Trainee”, do not click anything else, and then scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Get Results.” Management Trainee Position Announcement Numbers will begin with “CF”.
How long will my application be on file with FMWRC for the NAF Management Trainee Program or Developmental Chef Program position I have applied for?
Your application will stay active until ALL selections are made for the job announcement you applied for. Both January and July classes.
If I applied to the NAF Management Trainee Program or Developmental Chef Program and was not selected, do I have to submit a new application package when a new job announcement is listed?
Yes, you will need to reapply using the current job announcement number for that particular year in order to be considered for the new job positions.
I have questions about the announcement or about the application, is there someone to contact?
Yes, you can call Kenneth Fitzpatrick (210) 808-0424.
When will I be notified whether or not I am selected for a FMWRC Management Trainee or Developmental Chef?
The first round of selections are made around the October-November timeframe for the January Class and typically February-March for the July Class.
Will I be contacted once my resume is received?
Due to the large volume of resumes received, you will only be contacted should you be selected for an interview.
