Pros
Paid time off starts accruing immediately, which is a bonus over some places. They offer leadership training, but several managers will not allow their employees to participate. They have great programs like OZ and CASTLE but instead of having the professionals teach the courses, they have internal HR employees do it. You go to multiple full day courses, but each one is exactly like the previous, redundant. They possess tons of technology! Unfortunately they don't have the skills or the "formula for change" so they are not utilizing anything to the best of it's intended purpose.Office culture is pretty laid back, so going to work daily is not too stressful. Annual raises - don't get your hopes up too high, doesn't cover cost of living increase. First Command wants a feedback culture, meaning they intend to support an environment that allows open and honest feedback. This is good for employee growth, if used properly.
Cons
While they have several classes and opportunities for growth, as well as tuition reimbursement, most of the management discourages use of these, or in many cases, denies an employees ability to utilize these resources. Money is spent as if it were growing on trees for technology, supplies, training. After they do all of the spending, there is absolutely no follow through. Millions of dollars with nothing to show for it, nothing purchased is fully implemented afterwards someone will just purchase something else to do what they want. First Command has a "Family focus" but this is just in talking. When there is a situation or emergency, there is NO SUPPORT. Sending flowers does not make you family oriented. I have seen several women go through miscarriages, in each case the woman is expected at work until the time of their surgery, and then expected in the day following the "Procedure" as they call it in Human Resources. Donation of PTO is not allowed when serious circumstances should permit. It is against company policy. First Command has the biggest Business Information Services department (IT) I have ever seen in a not IT company. The turnover rate in BIS is worse than any IT department I have ever seen. Even senior management changes regularly. Positions are so hard to fill, that HR is offering double incentives if you can get someone in to be hired. All positions pay fair, but raises are below 3%. Feedback is a joke. Feedback is given to employees but never to management. Some managers severely lack in people skills, other managers feel that you cannot speak to them unless you are at their level or above. While it is well known that the management style of these people is unacceptable and causes turnover, it is ignored. If you have worked there more than a couple years, you are the way you are and people have to deal with it. If you are new, you must take whatever is given to you. In order to be promoted, you need an MBA, even if your bosses do not have more than a Bachelor's degree.
