Citation
Wright, T. (2013), "Major Tracy Wright, project manager, recruitment", Strategic HR Review, Vol. 13 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-07-2013-0080
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Major Tracy Wright, project manager, recruitment
Article Type: Practitioner profile From: Strategic HR Review, Volume 13, Issue 1
HR executives share their experience in human resources
Major Tracy Wright always knew that the Army was going to be her first career choice as she had been an avid Army Cadet throughout her youth. Yet with over 200 different roles available in the British Army, she still needed to make a decision about her chosen career path with the Armed Forces. She was driven toward HR because she “enjoys helping people and in HR you have the means to do that.
Major Wright is not alone. Recent research conducted on behalf of the British Army has shown that 16 percent of respondents would be interested in an HR or finance role with the Army – the most popular choice of all the career sectors available.
A unique HR environment
The Staff and Personnel Support (SPS) branch is the largest branch of the Adjutant Generals Corps, which itself is one of the largest Corps in the Army. The Corps provides specialist HR, personnel and business administration, finance, accounting and ICT support to the Army. Wherever the Army has personnel it will have SPS support. This offers HR professionals regular opportunities to travel and live abroad whether working in offices, tents or shelters.
Added to that, Major Wright has had the opportunity to participate in a range of sports in South Africa, and serve on operations in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan and Cyprus. She says: “HR on operations is the same in essence, but you have other opportunities to be involved in work outside of the HR field as well. In addition you work operational hours which are normally from 7 a.m. through until midnight.
“Managing and dealing with HR issues in often austere conditions as well as the day to day routine administration in barracks is a wholly different and unique experience from the civilian world, bringing new thrills and challenges with it.
Mapping military and civilian development
The SPS is a constantly evolving machine – adapting to best reflect the needs of the Army. A career with the Army brings with it world class skills training and necessary qualifications. Major Wright has completed numerous courses in her time and says: “As the years have gone by, the Army has become increasingly keen to link military courses with civilian qualifications including courses within the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development area.
The AGC (SPS) Whole Life Development Strategy provides the opportunity to gain nationally recognized civilian qualifications through accreditation of military education and experience. Combat HR specialists are given the opportunity to experience a challenging, rewarding and progressive full military career with civilian accreditation through the Institute of Administrative Management. Other civilian accredited qualification opportunities include qualifications up to degree level in the Institute of Administrative Management, progressive levels of membership in the Chartered Management Institute, and the Short University course program.
Major Wright comments: “The better mapping of military HR qualifications with civilian ones helps to track your military career against your civilian counterparts. Professionally, I feel Im more confident and have developed skills and obtained qualifications that are easily transferrable to civilian career opportunities. The role of an HR specialist in the Army is wide and varied – far beyond what I would expect from civilian employer. I think it makes you more employable within a civilian context as well.
A varied role with a wide perspective
Like all officers in the Army, Major Wright is also required to take on a number of responsibilities alongside her main trade of HR. These are related to combat, media, technical, logistical or defense policy career fields. She says: “I believe that being an HR specialist in my work across the Army leaves me better equipped to deal with the other fields as you have a learning of the different Regiments and Corps, not just the one youre a part of. You also develop great networks with individuals through your interactions with them – this allows you to see things from their perspective too.
From a young cadet to 20 years of proud service, Major Wright sums up her Army career: “My friends and family have been very supportive over the years, and are very proud, too. Add to this the excellent opportunities available, the good pay and the lifelong friends you make, and the Army becomes a way of life, not just a job. Id recommend it to everyone. I have had a fantastic 20 years in the Staff and Personal Support Branch. We have dedicated officers and soldiers who pride themselves on serving in the units where they are assigned. It is a role that can really make a difference.
Tracy Wright
About the author
Tracy Wright from Stirlingshire has 20 years of service in the SPS. She holds the rank of Major and is currently serving with the HQ Recruiting Group Unit as a project manager. The Adjutant Generals Corps is currently hiring: for more information see http://www.army.mod.uk/rolefinder/role/31/hr-specialist/Tracy Wright can be contacted at:mailto:info@hkstrategies.com