by Lt. Col Ann Stefanek
Secretary of the Air Force Public AffairsW
3/4/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials announced plans recently to allow some prior service officers the opportunity to retire earlier than expected.
As a result of the Fiscal 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, eligible officers with prior enlisted service who have completed 20 years of total active federal military service may apply to retire by Sept. 1 with less total active federal commissioned service.
"This new legislation gives the Air Force the ability to allow most prior service officers the option to retire with eight rather than 10 years of active commissioned service," explained Brig. Gen. Sharon K. G. Dunbar, the director of Air Force Force Management Policy.
More Airmen are choosing to stay in the Air Force, and retention is at the highest level in 16 years. For that reason, the Air Force introduced voluntary and involuntary force-management programs to better size and shape the current force. A two-year waiver of active commissioned service is one of many voluntary programs available to eligible officers this year as part of the Air Force's initiative to reduce end strength.
"We want to leverage voluntary separation and retirement programs to the maximum extent possible, and so we're pleased this early retirement option is now available," General Dunbar said.
Most officers in the line of the Air Force, judge advocate general, chaplain, biomedical science corps and medical service corps competitive categories are eligible. Additional program eligibility and information will be sent out from the Air Force Personnel Center.
For more information, visit the Air Force personnel services website or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.
EDITOR'S NOTE -- Due to the migration of content on the Air Force Personnel Center personnel services website, Airmen may experience periods of latency while accessing the site. Airmen may direct their questions concerning the two-year waiver of commissioned service for prior-enlisted officers to the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102 or DSN 665-5000.
Comments
3/8/2011 3:03:35 PM ET Of course many of the popular career fields are not eligible for this, so thanks for raising my hopes and then dashing them against the rocks...
Kevin, AFCENT
3/7/2011 8:56:05 PM ET B Man- What AFPC is behind the power curve on something that was in the NDAA passed last year that had a 99 chance of being implementedSay it ain't so
OldCrusty, Anybase USA
3/5/2011 5:20:40 PM ET About time this has been the only thing keeping me in....already called the Total Force Service Center they seemed unprepared for the question and had very little to add....show me the link to apply for retirment...I know so many friends in line since this article hit the street.
B Man, San Antonio
3/4/2011 5:14:34 PM ET Amen. How long before it's officially signed so this option is available on vMPF retirements ?
JK, TX
3/4/2011 4:22:35 PM ET Wow they actually listened. This has only been suggested by everyone for the past 5 years. Maybe they should have done this before doing the RIF boards could have been able to retain alot of good younger people. Guaranteed they will be undermanned next year. I know alot of retirement eligible people that wanted to retire for a few years but were waiting until they hit their required 10.
