New PCS plan to save AF money

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Personnel expecting to move might have to wait a year before packing up household goods as a new money-saving initiative goes into affect. 

Air Force leaders have directed several assignment-related initiatives to reduce the permanent change of station budget deficit. Linda Howard, Sheppard's chief of personnel relocation, said a specific group of personnel here will be affected the most. 

"It will definitely affect members who came here with a maximum controlled tour Code 50," she said. "It basically means they won't get assignments as early as anticipated." 

The majority of those here affected by the initiative are instructors and military training leaders. Ms. Howard said the Air Force Personnel Center will automatically extend Code 50 designees current tours by 12 months. 

The extension is in addition to any voluntary extension the member may have already entered. Career enlisted aviators and rated officers in flying positions are exempt. Members with a projected PCS based on the previous Code 50 rules may apply for cancellation. 

Enlisted members and officers in the support, judge advocate, chaplain and medical career fields as well as most rated staff positions will be subject to a 48-month TOS minimum before being considered for a PCS between stateside bases unless mission requirements dictate otherwise. 

Officers selected for PME must have 24 months TOS prior to departure. Exceptions to this policy must be thoroughly justified, and waivers must be requested by a general officer, colonel wing commander or their equivalents. 

Ms. Howard said individuals who already have assignments should be "OK," but she will know more as the plan is firmly established. She added that AFPC will do a review of assignments, and that, too, could affect moves. 

"It could cause some assignments to be cancelled," she said. 

Members serving in overseas assignments will serve their full tour length. Waivers will only be granted for mission requirements and must be requested by a general officer, colonel wing commander or their equivalents. However, there are exemptions to this requirement such as officers rotating to and from commander's billets and humanitarian reassignments. 

Funded joint spouse assignments, except those from one overseas location to another, will require 24 months TOS. Members will be allowed to volunteer for permissive PCS if they have 12 months TOS and the members travel concurrently; however, PCS entitlements must be waived, and the member must agree to incur all PCS related costs. 

The Washington D.C. tour review and officer time in area policy for San Antonio and Colorado are suspended until further notice. This policy required review of all assignments resulting in a permanent change of station or assignment between bases in the same local area, or a return PCS to the same location or area within a two-year period. 

For more information to include a list of frequently asked questions, visit the AFPC Web site. 

(The Air Force Personnel Center contributed to this story)