Retraining 101 in a nutshell

The 2nd Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor guided Airmen to potential new careers during a Retraining 101 seminar at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Mar. 3, 2016.

Airmen who were interested in changing their career fields attended the class to learn more about the process and to ask any questions they might have.

“I believe that the majority of Airmen that choose to retrain believe that their skills and abilities could be better utilized in a different career field,” said Master Sgt. Daniel Vogan, 2nd FSS career assistance advisor. “Retraining can provide you with a breadth of experience. I can absolutely tell you that after you change careers, you will see a whole different side of the Air Force you never knew existed.”

If an Airman decides they want to pursue retraining, they must wait until they receive a career job reservation. A CJR is a notification stating that an individual has reached the point in their careers to reenlist, retrain or apply for a base of preference. A CJR is based on an Airman’s initial contract either four or six years. A four-year-enlistee is eligible after 35 months’ time in service and a six-year-enlistee is eligible at 59 months.

Vogan encourages prospective Airmen to begin researching the process and other career fields after completing either three or five years’ of service depending on their initial contract.

“Airmen need to make sure they are 100 percent certain that they want to retrain before moving forward,” Vogan said. “You need to ask a lot of questions, talk to your supervisors and flight chiefs. Research the careers you are interested in, and make sure you understand the process.”

Jobs that can be more difficult to fill or that are difficult to keep filled, such as battlefield Airmen careers, are also offered for retraining at the half way point of someone’s career.

“Typically, Airmen that want to retrain into a battlefield Airmen career field already have their hearts set on it,” Vogan said. “They have the physical and mental capability; they just need to pass a physical abilities stamina test, PAST, before being selected.”

Airmen striving for this type of career must first apply for retraining. After receiving a notification to proceed, Airmen must schedule and pass the PAST. If approved, they will receive a date to attend training.

“Retraining went quickly for me. I applied the very first week my window opened,” said Senior Airman Charles Gage, tactical air control party apprentice. “I stayed proactive and stayed on top of the retraining requirements. Whether it was scheduling my PAST and battlefield Airmen interview or just making sure my appointments were scheduled and I attended them. There were moments when I thought I wouldn’t be picked up but even then, I made sure everything was done on my part. I’m proud to say that I graduated from my TACP class Feb. 26, 2016, and I’m headed for Ft. Carson, Colorado to start my next career.”

Second term and career Airmen may also retrain into a new career through a process called the NCO Retraining Program.

NCORP is available for Airmen in career fields that are listed on the retraining advisory, available on MyPers, as being overmanned. The program goes through two phases, volunteer and non-volunteer. Eligible Airmen will be notified of the opportunity to volunteer in the first phase and based on how many individuals volunteer, more people might be chosen during phase two, non-volunteer, to meet Air Force needs in those undermanned career fields. 

“The retraining process can take as little as six months from the day you click the button to your first day of sitting in technical school,” Vogan said. “Know your dates, know your window and understand the advisory. If you keep on track you will be very successful in the retraining process.”