Barksdale hosts force management town hall

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, along with 2nd Force Support Squadron leadership hosted a Town Hall for Airmen affected by the 2014 force management programs at Hoban Hall here Jan. 14.

With fiscal austerity effects still being felt, Air Force will soon begin reducing its force by up to 25,000. With different options such as early retirement, retention boards and voluntary separation programs available, Airmen have important decisions to make.

"Even though we don't know exactly who is affected yet," said 1st Lt. Kyle Southard, 2nd Force Support Squadron military personnel section chief "We are getting as much information out as possible for [Airmen] to decide what is best for them and their families."

While the 2nd FSS representatives do not have all the information from Air Force Personnel Center as of yet, they are here to help Airmen.

"There is a ton of information out there right now on AFPC's website, we urge Airmen to view the different materials specific to them," said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Guth, 2nd FSS (title). "We will be here to help them make sense of the information and release updates as we get them."

With a large number of Airmen making their decisions, information is key

"AFPC has set up a toll free number so [Airmen] can get one-on-one help with their questions," said Guth. "With the number and the MyPers website, Airmen can make the best decision for their individual situations."

Airmen looking for more information on how they are affected can contact the 2nd FSS military personnel flight, Airman and Family Readiness Center at 456-8400, AFPC at 1-800-525-0102, or www.barksdaleservices.com.

Personnel from the 2nd FSS were able to provide some answers at the Town Hall, some questions answered were:
  •  Question: Many officers have seen the unreleased PSDM 13-130. It states the VSP window opens Jan. 14, but that's clearly not official since it hasn't been posted. What happens if an officer submits today?
  •  Answer: Per AFPC guidance (as of Jan. 13), Officer VSP programs are expected to be released within the next two weeks. The Jan. 14 date applies to enlisted VSP applicants.

  •  Question: How are Airmen ranked? Is an enlisted Airman with an overall 3 rating on their last EPR better or worse than an Airman with a 4 referral because of PT? Which one if any do we keep?
  •  Answer: We do not have this information at this time. But, will be made available as soon as we have it.
 
  •  Question: Are the Airmen selected, notified via email or through other means, such as VMPF?
  •  Answer: Members selected for a board are notified through vMPF and by email.
 
  • Question: If we were notified that we are eligible for Temporary Early Retirement Authority, does this mean we are being considered for separation under TERA?
  • Answer: TERA provides an opportunity for eligible members to retire early, however not all applications are guaranteed approval. Should an eligible member choose not to apply for TERA, there is a possibility that they could face another Force Management board. Should a TERA-eligible member not be retained under another Force Management board, they will not have another opportunity to apply for TERA.
 
  • Question: With all of the people who will be departing, will the Airman and Family Readiness Center have additional Transition Assistance Program classes?
  •  Answer: Yes, the AFRC is currently coordinating additional TAP classes. More information will be released at a later time.

  • Question: Regarding the Enlisted Retention Boards (MSgt -SMSgt), eligibility requirements have been outlined by AFPC (MSgt and SMSgt who have a minimum of 20 years of Total Active Federal Military Service (TAFMS) by Nov. 30; are in an over manned AFSC; and have a Date of Rank of Jan. 1 or earlier).
  •  Answer: For the most current information please go to the MyPers website and look for the eligibility matrix that identifies the current eligibility for AFSCs and applicable rank.
 
  •  Question: On the Enhanced Selective Early Retirement Board for majors and lt. colonels, is the notification of eligibility correct?
  • Answer: The correct date for the notification of eligibility for O-5 and O-6 is Jan. 29.
     

  • Question: When will the list of overage AFSCs be released from AFPC? Has it already?
  • Answer: An eligibility matrix of grades and AFSCs eligible for Voluntary Force Management programs is available on the MyPers website.
 
  • Question: What do you see happening to the Reserve component and Total Force Initiative?
  • Answer: We do not have this information at this time, but we will update the Barksdale Services page as we find out.

  •  Question: When will the Date of Service Rollback II information be published? It is on the MyPers calendar as taking effect in May, will there be information prior to that?
  • Answer: We do not have a specific date to receive DOS Rollback II information, but AFPC should release information before taking effect.

  • Question: I heard GI Bill Transfers may be lost or subject to recoupment if volunteering for retirement or separation, yet the PSDM 13-127 states that if you were approved to transfer benefits and incurred a service commitment date, the ADSC "will not be subject to recoupment since the service obligation will be treated as complete". Which statement is correct?
  • Answer: For GI Bill questions, contact either 1-888-442-4551 for the A&FRC at 318-456-8400
  • Question: As per the PSDMs, eligible members not selected for retention by quality force retention boards will be offered the chance to apply for TERA. Will eligible members not selected for retention by the Retention Boards be offered the chance to apply for TERA after the board?
  • Answer: No, they will not.

  • Question: If someone does not have a current referral EPR should they have received the e-mail?
  • Answer: No, however there are other quality force indicators that would make a member eligible for the QFRB. If you feel the email was received in error, please contact the military personnel section for assistance.
  • Question: What do supervisors and their folks do when they are in a year group that has already gone through 3 Reduction in Force boards? If, all that is left are top performers with very little difference among them, how can a smart decision be made based on job performance among peers?
  • Answer: We do not have this information at this time. As we find out more information we will update the Barksdale Services website.
  • Question: Okay, so I have a little trouble understanding because I keep losing audio. If we apply for voluntary separation we may not be guaranteed approval?
  • Answer: This is true.
  • Question: Is there anything for E-1 through E-3 who are wanting to get out?
  • Answer: Please reference AFI 36-3208 for guidance on AF separation programs.

  • Question: Will these open opportunities for individuals who would like to cross train?
  • Answer: The Air Force is currently reviewing retraining opportunities. The Air Force will focus on retraining top performers across multiple AFSCs. Retention boards, for both officers and enlisted, will be charged to review records and select high performing Airmen for retention.

  • Question: If someone has a letter of reprimand or Article 15 are they in the same class as someone who has a PT fail. Is there an order of how they will be getting people out?
  • Answer: We do not have this information at this time.

  • Question: If we are supposed to attend a pre-separation briefing 12 months prior to anticipated separation date, and Jan. 2015, will be the anticipated separation date for an untold number of us, should I be attending a pre-separation briefing now just in case I am selected for involuntary separation in June/July?
  • Answer: Yes, as Chief Storms stated, even if you are not selected to separate, it is better to have the knowledge at hand than no knowledge at all.

  • Question: If someone applies for a VSP that does not get approved, do they still have to meet the retention board?
  • Answer: Yes, if the member is eligible for the retention board.

  • Question: Multi-part question, please bear with me: For both quality force and retention boards, personnel who are undergoing a medical evaluation board will complete their MEB prior to action from these two programs. If personnel undergoing an MEB did not receive notification does that mean that they are not being considered for those programs? Or did the MEB process preempt the email notification? What steps will be taken to ensure those personnel are not given that notification after all of the suspense dates? If returned to duty by the MEB four months from now, how are we preventing three day separation notices?
  • Answer: MEBs are a separate entity from Force Management boards, therefore members can be eligible for another Force Management program. However, a member cannot be separated by a Force Management board until their MEB is completed.

  • Question: Before eligible Airmen meet the review board, will those people have the opportunity to cross train out of the over manned career field before Air Force involuntary separates them?
  • Answer: The Air Force is currently reviewing retraining opportunities. The Air Force will focus on retraining top performers across multiple AFSCs. Retention boards, for both officers and enlisted, will be charged to review records and select high performing Airmen for retention.

  • Question: How will all these programs effect someone who is less than 16 months from retirement but wants to do a full 20 years?
  • Answer: -"Sanctuary" applies to members who have more than 18 years but less than 20 years TAFMS on Sep. 30. "Sanctuary" is only applicable to eligible members on the QFRB and Enlisted Retention board.