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News > Air Force officials announce formal officer cross-flow program
Air Force officials announce formal officer cross-flow program

Posted 1/7/2011 Email story   Print story

    


by Master Sgt. Amaani Lyle
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs


1/7/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- In an effort to balance officer skills across the active-duty component, the Air Force will offer cross-flow options for nonrated line officers in specified career fields, officials said here Jan 7.

The nonrated officer cross-flow program is being announced as part of the fiscal 2011 Force Management Program. The application window opens Jan. 10 and closes Jan. 31.

Eligible officers in overmanned career fields will be able to retrain into undermanned career fields, personnel officials said. Officers can identify up to three Air Force specialties for consideration in their application packages.

While officers have been able to voluntarily retrain into different career fields for some time, this particular program involves a formalized procedure to ensure a fair, competitive process, said Mr. John Park, the force management division chief, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services.

"The program evens the playing field and allows officers an opportunity to gain a breadth of experience," Mr. Park said. "The FY11 cross-flow cycle will consider volunteers first, but an involuntary selection process may be implemented if the Air Force does not meet its intended target numbers."

This process will then be institutionalized as an enduring, deliberate tool for managing the force in fiscal 2012 and beyond. Officials said its success will level career fields with quality officers to meet sustainment and mission needs.

A panel is set to convene at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas from Feb. 14 to 18 to competitively select officers to cross-train into targeted career fields. The panel will consist of five Air Force officers in the grade of O-6. Panel members will use the whole-person concept, including professional development, when considering officers for cross flow. Training availability is also a consideration in the process.

Officers in select year groups from 2002-2007 in Air Force specialty codes 17D, 21A, 21M, 31P, 38F, 61A/B/C and 65F, and 2000-2001 for 38Fs only, can compete to cross-flow into the 13D/L, 14N, 35P, 62E and 63A career fields.

For more information about cross-flow opportunities, visit the Air Force Personnel Center personnel services website.



tabComments
2/4/2011 12:15:01 PM ET
This program needs to be opened up to the highly experienced officers who have already been RIF'd.
DW, Utah
 
1/14/2011 7:37:03 AM ET
Having survived two Force Management events I think this is a great thing. I joined to be an Air Force Officer not an insert-AFSC technician and an option to remain in the USAF is far superior to simply competing not to get pushed out imho.
JM, MS
 
1/10/2011 12:05:43 PM ET
I was a 61C. Over the course of my career I became a technical expert in IEDs and I even commanded a joint intel unit in Afghanistan Because of my AFSC I am now a civilian. I would have gladly cross-trained to 14N.
J, FL
 
1/7/2011 11:35:00 AM ET
Another backwards process. They should have done this to balance out the critical career fields before the big (reduction in force) last year. There would have been more volunteers. Now they are going to have to non-vol people to cross-flow. I tried to cross flow into one of those fields and was told I was in a critical position and couldn't, only to be put on a RIF vulnerability list last year and ultimately separated. Can you please decide how you want to develop and retain a quality force instead of playing a game with manpower numbers?
SW, OK
 
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