Force Management in AETC Published March 26, 2010 By Capt. Sheryll Klinkel Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas. -- Air Force leaders announced March 25 force management measures that may impact Airmen in Air Education and Training Command throughout fiscal years 2010 and 2011. The force management measures are designed to bring the service closer to its authorized funded end-strength ceiling, and to ensure the Air Force has the right balance of skills needed to meet current and future missions. The efforts will vary between the enlisted and officer corps, but accessions for both will be reduced. "The impact (of force management) for enlisted Airmen in AETC will depend on the number of personnel electing the voluntary programs, those affected by the initial skills training separations and dates of separation rollbacks," said Chief Master Sgt. Renee Starghill, AETC Military Personnel section chief. Force managers will be asked to identify quality indicators to assist in determining those eligible for the dates of separation rollback program. "There will be less opportunity for enlisted Airmen who fail initial skill training to reclassify into another specialty (depending on their Air Force Specialty Code)," said Col. Bruce Lovely, AETC Manpower, Personnel and Services director. Dates of separation rollback may also affect enlisted Airmen with less than 14 years or more than 20 years of service, who have declined training, declined retainability for an assignment or who have negative quality indicators. Enlisted force management efforts also include waivers for time-in-grade and limited active duty service commitments, as well as waiving up to two years of four- and six-year enlistments for Airmen in non-critical, overage Air Force specialties and year groups. Palace Chase transfers are available for enlisted personnel with a one-to-one rather than a two-to-one year commitment. The number of officers affected by force management will also depend on the number of voluntary separations said Colonel Lovely. "If enough people do not voluntarily separate or crossflow, then a force shaping board will look at specific AFSCs in specific year groups, and we're only looking at an anticipated 41 officers in the force shaping board," Colonel Lovely said. "It's the same case for the reduction in force board, it will only happen if we do not get enough volunteers who separate." A Selective Early Retirement Board will also convene in July to identify selected colonels and lieutenant colonels who must retire by Jan 1, 2011. Officer measures also include waiving ADSC in targeted year groups; waiving all but two years of commissioning commitments for U.S. Air Force Academy and ROTC graduates as well as waiving their education and scholarship recoupment costs; and lowering the Reserve obligation for Palace Chase transfers from a three-year commitment ratio to one year for each remaining year of ADSC. "It's important for all Airmen to first know if they are even eligible," Colonel Lovely said. "Stay informed, and look at which specialties are being targeted." Chief Starghill recommends for enlisted Airmen to talk to their Military Personnel Section, supervisors, first sergeants or chiefs. For more information, visit the AFPC Web site or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.