Search Andersen Air Force Base. AF begins NCO retraining program involuntary phase. All Airmen identified as being retraining eligible must retrain or face separation under guidelines established for the retraining program.' Vulnerability listings by grade and AFSC are posted and will be updated weekly on the Air Force Personnel.
The Air Force needs 1,100 noncommissioned officers in surplus career fields to voluntarily retrain into shortage career fields to balance the enlisted force in 2004.The voluntary phase of the fiscal 2004 NCO Retraining Program began Jan. 5 and ends Feb. 23. The program helps balance the enlisted force by moving staff, technical and master sergeants from specialties with surpluses to specialties with shortages.Imbalances in the mid-level NCO grades among specialties occur as a result of personnel force structure changes, differing retention trends among specialties, and the equality of promotions across all skills. If needed, personnel officials will resort to an involuntary retraining phase March 8 through April 26. “While every effort is made to attract volunteers, some NCOs may be selected for involuntary retraining if the number of volunteers falls short,” said Lt. Col. Kim Haney, chief of the Air Force skills requirements branch at the Pentagon. “The enlisted force is not perfectly balanced so we have to take some action to get as close as possible.”The Air Force’s fiscal 2003 retraining program was the first action taken in five years, Col. Haney said. Some NCOs did not act upon the opportunities presented to them and as a result were involuntarily retrained.“It’s really in the best interest for those identified for retraining to take action and investigate the possibilities,” Col. Haney said. Tech. Sgt. Derek Hughes, NCO in charge of Air Force enlisted retraining at the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, said he believes more people identified for retraining in 2004 will consider their options and seek out opportunities.“I believe that we’ll be more successful in the voluntary portion this year because people learned last year that the Air Force was serious about the program. People who were vulnerable, who didn’t make their own choice, had it made for them,” Sgt. Hughes said.“Last year we identified people for retraining by name and we’re doing that again. They’ll get a [paper] saying they’re vulnerable,” Sgt. Hughes said.A Web page shows them how vulnerable they are and where they stand on a list of their peers by Air Force Specialty Code and grade. The Web page is available at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/enlskills/ retraining/retraining/htm. Users must log onto their virtual MPF account to view the data.The voluntary phase is not limited to individuals identified on the list. Anyone matching the specialty code and grade, who is otherwise eligible, can apply for retraining during the voluntary phase. “Last year, there weren’t enough volunteers in Phase 1, so we did a non-vol phase,” Sgt. Hughes said. “And even after that, 200 people still didn’t submit applications, so we had to pick jobs for them. They chose not to decide and were not necessarily happy with results. We’d rather tell them how to be proactive, how to find something that would interest them.” A complete list of retraining-in opportunities is available on the retraining advisory at local military personnel flights. Vulnerability listings for retraining-out by grade and specialty code will be updated on a weekly basis.(January 16, 2004)
The 2008 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program began Aug. 7 as the Air Force seeks to fill approximately 900 shortage career field and special duty positions.
NCOs notified of their vulnerability to retrain must submit the shortage career field choices they would most like to retrain into or apply for a special duty assignment identifier no later than Sept. 21.
“During the voluntary phase, members have the opportunity to set the course of their future as Airmen,” said Chief Master Sgt. Christine Williams, chief of the Air Force Personnel Center enlisted skills management branch at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. “Many Airmen fail to act during the voluntary phase and ultimately find themselves in the involuntary NCORP phase. Should an Airman not submit the mandatory package in Phase II, the Airman will be separated, so there is a consequence for not applying for retraining.”
Vulnerability listings by grade and Air Force Specialty Code are posted on the virtual Military Personnel Flight. vMPF is accessible from the AFPC home page. By clicking on their grade or projected grade, NCOs may view their ranking on the vulnerability list and apply for retraining through the vMPF as needed.
Command support staff personnel will manage the retraining program and notify members if they are eligible. Additionally, they will suggest special duty identifiers such as recruiting, postal duty, military training instructor or professional military education instructor.
If voluntary measures are unsuccessful, Air Staff officials will implement Phase II, involuntary retraining. In Phase II, individuals identified as vulnerable in AFSCs not meeting retraining-out objectives, and without approved retraining or assignment to a special duty identifier by Sept. 21, will be involuntarily retrained.
“It’s important for all Airmen to understand once they are identified for retraining in Phase I, they will continue to be vulnerable in Phase II unless they are retrained, released or separated from military service,” said Chief Williams.
For more information, Airmen should contact their CSS personnel, their base career assistance advisor or the Air Force Contact Center at (800) 616-3775.
(August 10, 2007)