Opportunities available for members through ‘Force Shaping’

Force Shaping is not only about reducing the size of our force, it’s also about getting the right people in the right place of service on our Total Force team.
While initiatives have been implemented to reduce end strength and offer opportunities to separate, there are also great opportunities for members who wish to continue to serve.
Retraining is an important part of our Force Shaping efforts, and there are numerous opportunities available.
Choices such as retraining into a shortage skill within the Air Force, transferring to the Air Reserve Component, to the Army and applying to join the civil service are available options.
In the January Chief’s Sight Picture, General John P. Jumper stated, “If at all possible, our goal is to give every qualified Airman who wants to stay in the Air Force the opportunity to do so.”
The Career Airmen Reenlistment Reservation System Retraining Program allows first-term Airmen to retrain into skills where shortages exist. Airmen stationed overseas can apply between the fifteenth and ninth month before their Defense Eligibility Enrollment Requirements System if they will enter the 35th month of service (59th for six-year enlistees) on or before their DEROS.
There are approximately 2,000 positions in 74 Air Force Specialty Codes currently available for first-term Airmen to retrain in.
The annual NCO Retraining Program is designed to move NCOs from AFSCs with significant overages into AFSCs with NCO shortages. There are approximately 124 positions in 21 AFSCs currently available through the NCORP.
For more information contact the local Military Personnel Flight or visit the Air Force Personnel Center Web site www.afpc.randolph.af. mil/enlsk ills/Retraining/retraining.htm.
The PALACE CHASE Program allows Air Force members to request transfer from active-duty military service to an Air Reserve Component. All AFSCs are eligible to apply. Many application restrictions and ineligibility criteria have been waived for the duration of the Fiscal Year 2004 program.
“The program is ‘win-win’ for all parties. If you elect to leave active duty, it only makes sense to take some of your benefits with you,” said Air Reserve in-service Recruiter, Master Sgt. Victor Bradford. Air Force Reserve Components are an integral and essential part of our country’s presence in air and space and contribute daily to the Air Force mission. For information, visit http://www.afreserve.com and http://www.goan g.com.
The Blue-to-Green Program allows eligible active-duty Air Force members to transfer to the active-duty Army. Officers in grades of 2nd lieutenant to captain and enlisted members in the grades of airman basic to staff sergeant in all AFSCs are eligible to apply. This program allows Airmen to continue to serve the country, maintain military benefits and gain new training by trying something new. For more information visit http:// www.goarmy.com/btg/in dex.htm.
Members who wish to continue to serve in the Total Force, but not in uniform, are encouraged to apply to join the civil service. The U.S. government is seeking American citizens to join the ranks of federal public servants.
For more information, visit the Office of Personnel Management Web site at http://www .usajobs.opm.gov.
The military continues to need, and afford opportunities for, thousands of people to serve the country on the Total Force team. There are numerous advantages to each of these options, but individuals must decide what’s best for them and their families.