Next phase of force shaping will take few officer slots

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As the Air Force looks to re-capitalize assets and modernize its aircraft, weapons and computer systems, hard decisions will be made regarding personnel to reach those goals. 

To that end, there will be another cycle of force shaping in fiscal year 2008. These cuts will be very low and rather rank-specific. 

"This time it will only be officers, and they're only cutting 130 jobs Air Force-wide," said Capt. Steven Packard, the military personnel flight commander at the 82nd Mission Support Squadron. 

It gets more specific than that: this cycle of force shaping will focus on those who earned their commission in 2005. 

Another factor is the officer's Air Force Security Code, as officers in low-manned or difficult-to-man jobs will likely be left where they are. Though specific AFSC vulnerability charts have not yet been released, updates can be found at http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/forceshape/. 

For those considering separating on their own terms, there may even be a little incentive. The Voluntary Separation Program, available this cycle for officers who've been in 12-15 years, will grant a bonus that triples the normal separation pay if the officer chooses to leave now. 

Another option is the Blue-to-Green program, which allows the opportunity for officers O-3 and below to transfer to the U.S. Army. 

"It's a lateral move; they maintain their rank and still get to stay in the military," said Linda Howard, personnel relocations chief, 82nd MSS. 

Ms. Howard said there are 66,575 commissioned officers in the Air Force. A force shaping cut of 130 will only shave .2 percent from that. 

For more information, contact Captain Packard at 676-4830, Lula Hill, 82nd MSS human resource counselor, at 676-2233, or Ms. Howard at 676-2840.