FY14 Force Management Town Hall Meeting Published Dec. 20, 2013 7th Bomb Wing DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Question: Is there a master list for overage Air Force Specialty Codes (grade, years, etc.)? Answer: Not yet, but it will be posted to the myPers website when it is available. Question: How will members/commanders be notified of eligibility and/or decisions to not-retain? Answer: The 7th Force Support Squadron will likely receive the lists that will be forwarded to the commanders for dissemination. Additionally, Air Force Personnel Center has already stated Airmen will be notified individually through vMPF as well for the eligibility listings. Question: Will the FY14 Force Management program affect Permanent Changes of Stations? Answer: Yes, however, until all Personnel Services Delivery Memorandums are released we will not know which members will be affected. Additionally, supervisors and commander should look closely at individuals who are projected to have a Permanent Change of Station, but may be at-risk for non-retention. Question: Will "showing your cards" and volunteering have repercussions with the sequent involuntary programs? Answer: "Showing your cards" or volunteering will not have reprecussions. Question: Will we be required to "do more with less" as personnel exit the Air Force? Answer: No, but we must prioritize our resources (time, money, people, etc.) toward the most important tasks. Identify wasted effort or inefficiencies to your chain. If we cannot do something, report it honestly with what it would cost in resources/programs to do it. Question: What opportunities will there be to continue service in the Air National Guard/Airman Force Reserve Center? Answer: Some opportunities will exist, but they will be limited. In-service recruiter for the Reserves is Master Sgt. Christopher Clement, 461-2957; for the Air National Guard is Master Sgt. Topeka Blackwell, 523-4701 Question: What is the formula for Voluntary Separation Pay/Early Voluntary Separation Pay? Answer: It has not been released yet, but historically it has been based on Time in Service/Time in Grade and more money was offered to volunteers. Question: How are applications evaluated for Voluntary Separation Pay/Early Voluntary Separation Pay? Answer: We do not have all the specifics yet. The myPers Frequently Asked Questions highlights that it will not be strictly first-come, first-serve, but numbers are capped, so get in early if desired. Eligibility for these programs will be determined by the Personnel Services Delivery Memorandums; however, currently our understanding is that if the member has six years' Time in Service by the Date of Separation, then the member would be eligible. Question: How is the Government Issue Bill affected? Answer: It depends on the program. Most of the Personnel Services Delivery Memorandums are not released yet. For the Chief Master Sgt. Retention Board- Those that voluntarily retire in lieu of meeting the retention board without completing their Post- 9/11 Active Duty Service Commitment may forfeit the transferred benefit. Furthermore, any benefit already used by dependents may be treated as an overpayment and subject to recoupment by Veterans Affair. Those that meet the board and are required to retire WILL NOT have their benefits impacted. For Temporary Early Retirement Authority programs - There is no impact to benefits for those that voluntarily retire and that have already transferred the benefit. Question: Assignment limitation, assignment availability code and reenlistment codes: Answer: Medical limitation codes will not be pulled for the boards (Q& C codes). However, assignment availability code, such as those for Unfavorable Information File, control rosters, Article 15s, etc. will be considered. The enlistment code of "4J" (Fitness issues- ineligible to re-enlist/extend) may be utilized to signify members for non- retention. Question: How are special duty Air Force Specialty Codes affected? How will this affect individuals who have been selected for developmental special duty? Answer: They will be special duty program specific (Reserve Officer Training Corps, Military Training Instructor, etc.); however, under our current understanding the members will not be immune to the FY14 Force Management programs. Question: How will deployments be affected, and if you are deployed while the board meets and are selected for non-retention, will you be returned early from the deployment? Answer: It is unlikely that the Air Force will provide a one-size fits all solution to this problem. Commanders and supervisors should look at each individual who is at-risk of separation and consider the impact in their specific situation. Additionally, deployment dates most likely will not be adjusted to accommodate a separation/retirement date under a Force Management program: Deployment days will not be adjusted for Chief Master Sergeants that retired under the program. For the voluntary portion of the program the retirement cannot be moved beyond Jan. 1, 2015 to accommodate for deployment return dates or terminal leave. For the involuntary portion, the retirement date will be set at 30 days following the return of deployment (no extensions for terminal leave). The retirement date for Temporary Early Retirement Authority will be Aug. 1, 2014, which will not be adjusted/extended to accommodate a return from deployment. Question: Will someone who has been approved for retraining continue to retrain? Answer: The retraining process will continue. Members whose retraining was cancelled were already notified. At this time, we do not know if members will be eligible for retraining. Question: How will people facing Medical Evaluation Boards be affected? Answer: A Medical Evaluation Board process will be allowed to continue, and will preclude other Force Management actions from taking place until the Medical Evaluation Board is resolved. The Medical Evaluation Board will determine if the member is entitled to benefits if their condition is related to their service and it should be in the member's best interest to allow it to continue. Question: How will people with a Date of Separation be affected? Answer: If a member already has Date of Separation in the near future, they will most likely continue with that current Date of Separation. If the member's Date of Separation falls after a board date (or eligibility window) and he/she is in an overage Air Force Specialty Code and a year group, the member still has the potential to meet a Force Management board. Question: How can people with less than six years voluntarily separate? Answer: By going through a typical channel of requesting through their chain-of-command and requesting an Active Duty Service Contract waivers (if necessary). However, the voluntary options for the FY14 Force Management program are listed to be Air Force Specialty Codes and year group specific, so if a member desires to separate and is not in an "overage" Air Force Specialty Code, he/she may not receive all the Active Duty Service Contract waivers or may be denied separation. Question: When will volunteers for Temporary Early Retirement Authority be notified of their application's approval/denial? Answer: No later than April 1, 2014. Question: If I am a second term Airman and currently within my three month window to reenlist, will I be affected by the Date of Separation rollback? Answer: Most likely not, because your Date of Separation would be earlier than the program itself. Additionally, the Date of Separation Rollback program (For FY14 Force Management) is very specific, so I recommend checking the Personnel Services Delivery Memorandums located on myPers for specific details. On another note, if the member does enlist, he or she may be eligible for upcoming FY14 Force Management programs that have yet to be released. Question: If you elect for the waiver of commitment, how long will that process take? What kind of time frame would Airmen have to prepare and look for jobs? Answer: Essentially, the member would request a waiver for the commitments (assuming ADSCs or up to 2 years off his or her enlistment) through his or her chain of commander through the typical CMS process. It could take a couple weeks to a couple months. Additionally, when the member submits his or her paperwork, he or she would be able to request an updated date of separation. Air Force Personnel Center would have to approve the new Date of Separation, so until the member received final word of the decision to move to the Date of Separation or to separate at all, he or she should not make any irrevocable commitments. If the member would like more information regarding how to separate early, he or she can come see the separations from of the Military Personnel Service or go to the vMPF for a tutorial on the process. Question: If offered Temporary Early Retirement Authority (early retirement) but I decline, in order to proceed to twenty, can we be involuntarily separated for not "accepting" early retirement? Answer: Temporary Early Retirement Authority is a voluntary program. If eligible for Temporary Early Retirement Authority, your Air Force Specialty Code is considered in an overage. Thus, you will most likely meet a future Force Management board if enough volunteers do not step up. If selected for removal, you could face separation without pay, but until each board's Personnel Services Delivery Memorandum is released, we do not know how each board will function. Question: Are there any education benefits after being released? Answer: Yes and no. That will depend on if you have elected the Veteran's Affairs Post- 9/11 GI bill or kept the Montgomery GI Bill. It is recommended to view information on myPers. Question: I have six months left on my six year contract. I plan on getting out at the end of my contract. What is the possibility of me getting rolled back to separate without being able to finish my contract. Am I able to Palace Chase or transfer to Air National Guard? Answer: The Senior Airman-Tech. Sgt. board is not until June 2014. If your Date of Separation is in June you are able to separate on your Date of Separation. Contact Master Sgt. Clement 461-2957 or Master Sgt. Blackwell at 523-4701 for Air Force Reserve Center or Air National Guard questions. Question: How does this affect testing for promotion? Answer: At this time, there is no change to the testing system. The following Personnel Service Delivery Memorandums are available as of Dec 18, 2013 at 8:30 p.m. and have been sent out to Commanders, Chiefs and First Sergeants: Chief Master Sgt. Retention Board Date Of Separation Rollback Temporary Early Retirement Authority - Both Officer and Enlisted Question: How are special duties Air Force Specialty Codes affect? Answer: It will probably depend on end strength and whether there is an overage, specifics will be included in Temporary Early Retirement Authority matrix or other Personnel Services Delivery Memorandums. Question: When will volunteers for TERA be notified? Answer: No later than April 1, 2014. Question: What if someone might need a Medical Evaluation Board? Can we protect them? Answer: No. Start the Medical Evaluation Board if they warrant one, otherwise they may miss out on disability benefits. Question: TAP has been limited in size before, will that be an issue for the large numbers we're removing? Answer: TAP will be doubled in frequency to accommodate more people. Question: Is this going to continue for five years? Will people be vulnerable again 2-3 years from now? Answer: That isn't the goal. Big change now saves more money than small change every year over several years. Question: If a member has HYT June 30, 2014, but hits 15 years on June 2, 2014, can they apply for TERA? Answer: No, an Airman needs retain ability through Aug. 1, 2014, to get a retirement date. Question: Will B-1 deployments continue as they have in the past? Answer: In the near term, yes, but that depends on the political status with Afghanistan. Question: Is the number of Department of Defense civilian and contract employees have been a cause for this? Answer: More caused by increased costs - increased pay, retirement, health care, fuel and weapons systems. Question: Are more civilian programs coming? Answer: That is yet to be determined, but most cuts were already made (10% in FY13). Question: Does early separation affect the Montgomery G.I bill if member has Active Duty Service Commitment for transferring benefits? Answer: To be determined- FAQ on MYPers talks about involuntary separation, but not voluntary. Question: Are other services doing similar? Answer: Yes, but there are no specifics. Question: Is there a master list for overage Air Force Specialty Codes - year and numbers? Answer: Not yet, but they will be pushed out soon with Personnel Services Delivery Memorandums. Deployment issues will be identified early. Question: How will Voluntary Separation Program applications be evaluated? Answer: It will not be first-come, first- served. MRB must meet needs of the service to be approved by the Voluntary Separation Program board. Reduction in Force eligible and Voluntary Separation Program eligible are the same lists. Question: Will under-manned career fields get cross-training inflow? Answer: Maybe, but not directly tied to these programs. Question: What will we do with people who can't attend training to fulfill their primary duties while in this budget crisis? Answer: Those members will need to work with their leadership to attend training or on-the-job training. Question: In accordance with the Personnel Services Delivery Memorandums, personnel pending action under the disability evaluation system are unable to apply for Temporary Early Retirement Authority. I'm facing a Medical Evaluation Board, but understand that may take a year. Is there an option to retire under Temporary Early Retirement Authority and start the next chapter in my life? I would like to know your thoughts on why this would not be allowed if I am incorrect? Answer: No. Anyone pending disability evaluation system under Air Force Instruction 36-3212, "Physical Evaluation for Retention, Retirement, and Separation," If Airmen are subsequently returned to duty, they may apply if otherwise eligible. Question: For officers, what avenues does a commander have to recommend retraining or not retraining? Answer: Currently, the Personnel Service Delivery Messages that guide the FY14 officer programs have not been released, so no official guidance on what actions can be taken are available. However, with previous involuntary programs (RIFs/FSBs), each member meeting the board had to have a Retention Recommendation Form written on them, so that would be a good place to recommend for retaining or removal if the process remains the same. As more guidance is released, we'll be able to provide additional ways to recommend to retain or not to retain if they become available. I'd highly recommend that any officer that wishes to be retained takes a good review of his/her record (SERF/vMPF) to ensure that everything is up-to-date and accurate. Question: Will these force shaping programs affect Permanent Change of Stations? I am set to PCS the same month as the force shaping board that I am eligible for. Answer: Affirmative, the FSB could affect upcoming Permanent Change of Station moves if the member meets the board and receives a recommendation of do not retrain. However, until the guidance and overage Air Force Specialty Codes are released, we will not be able to confirm if the member will even meet an FSB. Recommend the member continue to plan as normal and ensure that his/her record (SURF/vMPF) is up-to date. Question: Will good Airmen that have made a mistake in the past (Article 15), but have since learned from their mistakes and positively performed their duties be allowed the opportunity to defend why they should not be considered for for-shaping initiatives? Answer: If the member's falls in an Air Force Specialty Code that is being considered for a force-shaping measure, there are minimal opportunities to remove oneself from that listing. Such as, in some circumstances, a member that already selected for promotion would not be eligible for certain force management boards. Depending on the specific program, commanders will have the opportunity to recommend for retention or removal. The force management boards will be charged to review forced and select high performing Airmen for retention. Specifically regarding the nature of an Article 15 on a member's record, there is no doubt that if the member still has an Unfavorable Information File that that would be reviewed. On the other hand, current performance would also be reviewed just the same. Until final details are posted for each force management program, we will not be able to say how far back into one's career the boards will look. Question: For Temporary Early Retirement Authority, people on 365-day deployments are not eligible. What about six month deployments? Are they still eligible? Can they be prevented from using Temporary Early Retirement Authority if they are needed for deployment? Answer: They probably cannot be made ineligible for Temporary Early Retirement Authority just for a 6-month deployment. Leadership challenge-look at your people for who is at-risk. Report status honestly and identify resource shortfalls. Question: Can we close a gate to reduce manpower needs for the 7th Security Forces Squadron? Answer: If necessary, but first we'll prioritize resources. Run it up your chain if you see inefficiencies or wasted efforts. Question: If selected for separation, or if you volunteer to separate, what happens to the reenlistment bonus? Answer: It will depend on which type of separation and which type of bonus. You may get to keep it, if it was paid in one lump sum. Question: For Permanent Change of Station orders in the summer of 2014, who should we try to keep from moving? All Unfavorable Information File? Article 15? Letter of Reprimand? Question: For Physical Training failures, what determines if you get a J-code? One failure in the past? Answer: Commander's discretion. What is the individual's trend? Question: Airmen with approved Active Duty Service Commitment waivers or approved separation date, can they pull their separation to apply for a program with more benefits? Answer: Probably not, but will check. Question: What's the date to establish 15 years for Temporary Early Retirement Authority? Answer: July 21, 2014. Question: Are commissioning programs affected? Answer: No direction by these programs, but those opportunities are also becoming more limited. Question: What happens to people on REDUX? Are reenlistments still going to be open? Answer: For Temporary Early Retirement Authority- there are two tables for pay, one for members who did not do REDUX and one for members that accepted REDUX. Reenlistments are still open depending upon your reenlistment code. Question: Has there been any information looking at people with medical issues and C-codes? Answer: Medical Evaluation Board members are excluded from some of these programs until their medical issue is cleared. All others are looked at with these programs.