Airmen, USAFA leaders discuss force managment at town hall meetings

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Veronica Ward
  • Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY. Colo. --  Academy leaders hosted two town hall meetings here this week to discuss how the next round of Defense Department-mandated force shaping could affect enlisted and commissioned Airmen.

Force-management is the DOD term for sizing its civilian and military staff to fit budget and mission constraints.

"We are getting the information out as fast as possible to remain transparent and allow our Airmen to discuss options with their families and do what they can to prepare," said Col. Stacey Hawkins, 10th Air Base Wing commander, at the town halls held in Arnold Hall. "We have very little detail right now about who force management programs will effect, but there is the possibility the Air Force may be reduced by as many as 25,000 Airmen and as many as 550 aircraft."

In Dec. 13 news conference, acting Air Force Secretary Eric Fanning and Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the Air Force chief of staff, said the Air Force will pay its bills by restructuring the force.

This restructuring could include voluntary and involuntary separations in career fields with projected overages, as well as possible retention boards for all career fields, said Jim Normandin, the 10th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Services superintendent.

Along with current programs such as early retirement authority, the Air Force is projected to implement enlisted retention boards, quality force review boards and voluntary separation pay. Those eligible for these programs will be notified by email, Normandin said.

"Early and accurate communication will be key in giving affected personnel time and information to make decisions about their future," said Laurie Carroll, 10th FSS Manpower and Personnel office director. "I encourage commanders and first sergeants to engage early with their folks to help them understand the timelines and criteria for each program."

To avoid being mistakenly selected for involuntary separation, Academy Airmen are encouraged to make sure their records are accurate and any errors are corrected as soon as possible, Carroll said.

The 10th FSS encourages Airmen to check MyPers, the primary source for current force shaping information, on a daily basis for more information.

Academy chaplains, staff judge advocates, 10th FSS counselors, and the Airman and Family Readiness Center staff are available for support.

For more information, email mss.dpma@us.af.mil.