Automatic continuation rules change

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. David A. Jablonski
  • Air Force Print News
Regular and Air Force Reserve captains on the active-duty list who are not selected for promotion to major two or more times should not count on automatic continuation said personnel officials.

The new policy will affect captains meeting the Dec. 8 major promotion board.

Only a limited number of people in specific career fields who are not selected for promotion for the second time during the CY03B major board will be offered continuation.

“Although the complete list of eligible career fields is still being reviewed, we believe it’s best to get the word out about the change to continuation policy sooner rather than later,” said Maj. Gen. John M. Speigel, director for personnel policy and deputy chief of staff for personnel. “People need as much time as possible to prepare for their future, whether that entails separation or further opportunities to serve their country.”

The general also emphasized the importance of this process.

“We must ensure the Air Force retains its most eligible, fully qualified officers in career fields that are critically understaffed,” Speigel said. The Air Force will not extend continuation offers to officers in overage career fields.

U.S. law creates a promotion system where officers who are not selected for promotion twice will be discharged or retired, unless selected for continuation. The law provides for this flexibility. Air Force officials retained nearly all non-selectees until 2000, but that policy is changing.

Air Force officials use selective continuation to meet needs in critical skills. Before each promotion board, staff planners review manning levels by rank in each skill. Skills with current or projected under manning are considered for continuation eligibility. Acceptance of a continuation offer is voluntary and does not incur a service commitment. Continued officers remain eligible for promotion.

Selective continuation boards convene immediately after promotion boards to select officers judged fully qualified to serve in their current grade.

Officers who decline continuation are required by law to separate. The law also entitles involuntarily separated regular officers to separation pay even if they are offered, but decline, continuation. There is one exception: The law prohibits the services from paying separation pay to officers who decline continuation for a period of time long enough to qualify them for retirement -- usually 20 years of service.

Personnel officials will finalize the selective continuation eligibility list before the CY03B board convenes. Once approved, continuation details will be posted on the AFPC Promotions website.