Eligible officers may apply for VSP April 1 Published March 31, 2010 By Daniel Elkins Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Office RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force Personnel Center officials here begin accepting applications for voluntary separation pay April 1 from eligible officers. Officers in nine Air Force specialties across five year groups who are being considered to meet the 2010 Reduction in Force Board convening Sept. 20 are eligible to apply for VSP. They include Airmen in the grades of major and below in the following core Air Force specialties: 13S, 15W, 21A, 33S, 38F, 52R with the exception of Catholic chaplains, 61B, 61C and 65F who were commissioned in the year groups 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Although the application window closes June 30, personnel officials here said applications will be considered in the order they are received by AFPC via the Virtual Military Personnel Flight, or vMPF. Officers desiring to separate Sept. 30 or sooner must have their applications to AFPC not later than April 30. All other Airmen approved for VSP must separate between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. "Commanders play a critical role in this process by ensuring those eligible for the RIF have the information they need in a timely manner so they can make an informed decision," said Col. William Foote, director of personnel services at AFPC. "Such a decision requires an understanding of the varying advantages in separation benefits and entitlements between VSP and RIF for each individual depending on upon their individual circumstances as well as diligent action on the part of all involved." VSP is a monetary incentive tool granted to the Air Force under the 2006 National Defense Authorization Act and will be paid in a lump sum payment at twice the involuntary separation pay rate. Air Force officials are asking officers at risk of meeting the RIF board to carefully explore their vulnerability in consideration of VSP. Officers selected for separation by the RIF board will be paid at only the standard involuntary separation pay rate. The fiscal 2010/2011 Voluntary Separation Pay Program is part of the service's expanded force management measures announced March 25 to correct imbalances across Air Force specialties and meet its congressionally mandated end strength. For more information on eligibility, benefits and application procedures, visit the AFPC personnel services Web site or call the Total Force Service Center at (800) 565-0102.