Officials announce officer voluntary separation pay results and updates to reduction-in-force targets

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Officials announce officer voluntary separation pay results and updates to reduction-in-force targets

Posted 4/21/2011

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4/21/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials announced updates April 20 to voluntary separation pay approvals and reduction-in-force targets as part of the fiscal 2011 force management program for officers.

"Later this week, commanders will begin notifying approximately 300 officers that their requests to separate under the voluntary separation pay program have been approved," said Maj. Gen. Sharon K. G. Dunbar, force management policy director. "Officers approved for VSP are no longer eligible for the RIF due to their new separation date, but eligible officers not approved for VSP will meet the RIF board."

In response to projected voluntary officer separations, Air Force officials are lowering the reduction-in-force board target, General Dunbar said. The RIF scheduled for this September will focus on selecting for retention the most qualified officers, regardless of career field.

"Depending on year group size and competitive category, we may only need to RIF up to 5 percent compared to the initial 10 percent projection," she said.

RIF board members will consider officers in the grades of major and captain in the following year groups and competitive categories: line of the Air Force: 2000 and 2003 through 2005; judge advocate general: 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003; chaplain: 2002, 2003 and 2005; medical service corps: 2001; and biomedical service corps: 2000 and 2001.

Due to voluntary separation approvals, JAGs in the 2000 year group and chaplains in the 2004 year group are no longer eligible for the RIF.

"It is important that RIF-eligible officers ensure their records are current, particularly with regard to duty history, appropriate professional military education and advanced academic degrees," General Dunbar said.

VSP was offered as an incentive to encourage officers in overage competitive categories and specific year groups to leave the service early. Applications were approved based on objective criteria and the needs of the Air Force. Officers approved for VSP must separate on Oct. 1, 2011.

The methodology for approving VSP applications encompassed several factors. For example, officers must have been eligible for the September RIF board, not receiving a bonus, such as the critical skills retention bonus or aviation continuation pay, or be qualified in a current critical Air Force skill. Based on needs of the Air Force, applicants with specialized training or expertise, such as nuclear, acquisition or other hard-to-fill specialties, were not approved for VSP. Likewise, applicants with service commitments resulting from advanced academic degrees were not approved.

Officers with no active duty service commitment or those eligible under the Limited ADSC Waiver program generally were approved. For example, service commitments associated with permanent change of station, GI Bill transferability, and tuition assistance were waived. Service commitments for flying training, however, were only waived for six months or less.

"It is always difficult to select dedicated Airmen for early transition from the active duty force, so we never take this decision lightly," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff. "At the same time, the Air Force has a responsibility to operate within the levels authorized by Congress while maintaining our capability to meet current and future missions."

"Leaders at all levels of our Air Force are committed to assisting Airmen in their transition from the active duty force," General Schwartz said. "Our Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard are two great options for continued service."

Follow the embedded links for more information about specific skills needed by the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard. For more information on year groups and competitive categories eligible for the RIF board, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/app/login and do a keyword search for RIF, or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102 or DSN 665-5000.

Comments

4/29/2011 2:03:24 PM ET
Q. Won't officers not approved for VSP be penalized for indicating a desire to voluntarily separate? A. No. Officers should not be penalized for applying for VSP consideration. That answer would apply if we had a 'perfect Air Force.' As others have stated and most of us have probably experienced, while there won't be any visible penalty there are definitely other ways to penalize officers. Nothing like having your SOS in-residence slot taken and given to someone else who wasn't 'planning' on separating.

..., CONUS

4/29/2011 1:16:14 PM ET
Thanks for your feedback and comments. For additional information regarding the questions generated by this article please refer to newly posted FAQs in the updated Related Links section of this story. Lt. Col. Stefanek, AF Public Affairs

Lt Col Ann Stefanek, Pentagon

4/27/2011 4:15:02 PM ET
I guess it's too much to ask for our leaders to be upfront with us. What a shame. I guess if they wanted to reduce the force this is helping because I was on the fence before but have no intentions of staying in now.

Bitter 14N, CONUS

4/26/2011 3:36:54 PM ET
@Misplaced Blame San Antonio, first rule of leadership: take responsibility for your actions. With your comment you are just implying that AFPC was just a Yes Man. Sure, shift the blame to the Air Staff now. That's the easy way out. At the minimum AFPC should've provided sound and accurate direction. So what's the job or role of AFPC again? If it's only a messenger, maybe it's not needed. Was the Air Staff policy executed adequately?

AM, MD

4/26/2011 12:58:52 AM ET
Letter to my Congressman.. now sent.

unanimous , USA

4/26/2011 12:36:21 AM ET
Letter to congressman written. I don't think anything will come of it but it's better than sitting around being mad.

Captain, OCONUS

4/25/2011 6:10:47 PM ET
Far and away the best Unit Climate Assessment in the history of the Air Force. I hope that the disconnected generals and colonels know what's coming when a vast majority of pilots separate at the end of their 10-year commitment. The yes men paint a rosie picture, however this clearly isn't the case. 364 days and counting until I can leave this organzition I used to love.

undisclosed, undisclosed

4/25/2011 5:57:40 PM ET
Even non-pilots such as myself were given the runaround. Met all of the requirements for ADSC non-receipt of bonuses and not in a high demand career field. AF needs to outline how applications were approved but probably never will as they made it up as they went along with needs of the AF as the ultimate trump card.

Captain, withheld

4/25/2011 5:05:38 PM ET
I have to say that I was not eligible for the VSP but if I were, I would have jumped at the chance. In hindsight I'm happy that I didn't have to go through the run-around only to be left kicked to the curb. I'm sorry for all my fellow patriots who had to endure this pain. I'm a single parent and sacrificed my career for my family but I checked all the boxes and did what I could to be a great officer. But it turns out the Air Force has no room for family. My choice.... Family.

worn out captain, ca

4/25/2011 12:56:27 PM ET
AFPC was more than a messenger. It was the only avenue for answers that many of us eligible officers expressed our questions or concerns. None of those were ever answered. What was done to address these inconsistencies to Air Staff from AFPC's posture? My guess is nothing. Failure to answer back on emails, disjointed and inconsistent information on phone calls, even broken links on reference documents is COMPLETELY AFPC'S FAULT. Standing behind a blanket of "don't shoot the messenger" and continuing to mislead people is far from integrity. Yes, pointing the finger at HQ but saving a special one for AFPC.

Captain, CONUS

4/25/2011 12:24:57 PM ET
Officers approved for VSP are no longer eligible for the RIF due to their new separation date but eligible officers not approved for VSP will meet the RIF board. How does this make ANY SENSE?

withheld, withheld

4/25/2011 11:05:52 AM ET
Wow, AFPC is taking a beating over this - keep in mind they're only executing the policy made at the Air Staff. No need to shoot the messenger here.

Misplaced Blame, San Antonio

4/25/2011 6:27:36 AM ET
I would like to know why the criteria for being selected for VSP changed numerous times throughout this process. We received conflicting information from the start and to be very clear, I and so many others feel as though the Air Force failed to put The Air Force talks about core values, and the leadership clearly have never bothered to digest its meaning....Integrity First. Why were we not told about information such as we only selected people with less than 6 month ADSC for flying training were selected? If that was the criteria that was used for selection then it should have been presented up front. My career is essentially over. I was lied to and misinformed. I will never be allowed to attend SOS in residence nor will I receive any strats or positive OPRs from my commanders. The Air Force has had a negative affect on my family and the rest of my career. I have given 12 years of my life to an institution and country I believed in and this is what the Air Force stands for...

Betrayed Capt, angrystan

4/25/2011 4:50:49 AM ET
Pilot, told I was eligible, applied, denied. I agree with the previous comments but let's not forget the overall goal of the VSP - reduce the officer force while saving maximum money. With the "only accepted if ADSC less than 6 months," AFPC just decided to pay 100K to those who were to separate for free in less than 6 months anyway. AFPC... Epic FAIL!

Capt 11F, OCONUS

4/24/2011 11:46:30 PM ET
LAF 00 03-05 are RIF eligible and therefore may apply for VSP. Just kidding I'm actually not eligible for VSP and also because I'm a pilot I won't be RIF'd So I tossed my credibility under your huge VSP bus and you crushed my reputation without hesitation. Thanks for further emphasizing why I should never have joined this organization. AFPC should be ashamed of themselves.

CaptainAF, NM

4/24/2011 10:23:57 PM ET
At the very least we have earned the right to be treated as adults and professionals. Sure we signed a ten year pilot training contract and you owe us nothing. Just don't be surprised when then the first ten year UPT grads start to punch at an alarming rate this year. After ten years of service this is no longer my Air Force. Last one out don't forget to turn the lights off.

Anonymous , CONUS

4/24/2011 9:47:22 PM ET
The worst part about it is NOT so much that we have to stay in and fly six days of night shifts for months, stay TDY for two weeks every ten days, deploy constantly, spend 18 hours at our desk jobs, the worst part about it is that we've spent five years plus doing it working hard. Then after doing our homework, digging for answers, and asking questions and being told that this was something for us, we put our CAREERS ON THE LINE by putting our names in, just to have an institution change the rules at the last minute and tell us too bad. Married officers work their butts off to stay that way and see their families. Single officers aren't even around enough to get married or have a family. This isn't a decision for whiny Os. This was a huge life-changing decision for us. By the way, who from the year groups from 03, 04, or 05 has less than six months on their commitment left? That's not even physically possible. Why would we even be considered? Fact is, we needed to have been told we

Capt one of nine hundred, deployed

4/24/2011 9:42:18 PM ET
Since this article is now being censored because we are openly questioning poor and unethical policy decisions, please keep the critical debate flowing through the CY 2011 Air Force VSP facebook page. Second, if someone says the common defense: it can be worse, you can be out of a job or not even have this option, I respond with--what can be worse than being misinformed and manipulated by an organization that demands ethical and responsible decision-making of its officers and NCOs alike then does the complete opposite? When leadership is done by the numbers without taking into account the concerns of your subordinates, then you have failed.

prior enlisted major, OCONUS

4/24/2011 5:09:51 PM ET
To the Es commenting, this is exactly what we have been going through... You are wrong. I am prior enlisted and I am a current flight commander who has been through several RIFs. For the most part my affected enlisted troops want to stay in but they are getting separated with a DOS roll back. The issue here is that WE WANT TO GET OUT. The AF asked for volunteers to get out, said we were eligible on multiple occasions and then decided that we weren't eligible after the fact.

Burntout Captain, Creech AFB

4/24/2011 4:10:32 PM ET
Why do I feel so wronged? We were misinformed. We took considerable professional risk. I lost out on development opportunities as a result of this. Lastly, they changed the criteria on us without informing the applicants and then informed us a day or two before releasing the results. Organize your complaints on the facebook page.

ANONYMOUS, OCONUS

4/24/2011 12:22:12 PM ET
Part 2: This is not a diatribe from an Airman who is upset that he was disapproved for separation. Far from it. I still have a strong passion for my work and service to my country and will gladly fly into harms way every time I am called upon. What I and many others are so upset about is the lack of integrity in the whole process. This event should be a case study for all senior PME curriculums on how not to treat your most valuable resource, your Airmen! We have strayed far from the path of integrity, service, and excellence. These are not the acts of my Air Force. For those who have been distraught by this process, please do not lose faith in this wonderful service. We must take our lessons learned and press forward to strengthen the core values of our Air Force.

USAF Airman, NA

4/24/2011 12:21:18 PM ET
Part 1: This voluntary separation episode has been absolutely abhorrent. There's lots of blame that should be shared -- AFPC for going along with the ruse but the majority falls on senior leadership at HAF. The decision to volunteer for separation was life altering, not just for our Airmen but for their families as well. As rated Airmen eligible for the RIF, we were told we were also eligible for the VSP program. After hours of exhausting research and reading all the fine print ad nausea, we made the difficult decision to volunteer for separation. And then we find out that service commitments for flying training however were only waived for six months or less. So now we have unduly highlighted ourselves when there was never even a chance that we were going to be approved in the first place. No need to split hairs as to whether we were lied to misled or misinformed. The process was criminally implemented and people need to be held accountable.

USAF Airman, NA

4/24/2011 11:59:39 AM ET
What happened to the previous 55 comments on this article and why can't I view them? The critical opinions of service members and spouses on this issue deserve to be heard and should not be censored. The buffoonery of AFPC and HAF on this issue and the negative effect it has had on families and airmen must remain in the public domain.

Maj Fed-Up, CONUS

4/24/2011 11:21:31 AM ET
I wonder what a FOIA request would need to ask for in order to shed some light on the lack of transparency in this process. Changing the rules mid-stream was a foul.

Captain Cynical, CONUS

4/24/2011 11:08:51 AM ET
Again and again we were told it was open-season to apply for VSP. Not an easy decision to make and one that kept me up at night especially when I knew I'd be meeting a promotion board if NOT VSPed. Then they change the rules and suddenly oh yay, you have an ADSC so we were NEVER gonna grant you VSP. Then why didn't they say that from the start? Leadership is clueless. Makes ya wonder how out-to-lunch they are about other things. . .

Anonymous Capt, San Antonio

4/24/2011 9:39:16 AM ET
I am a perfect candidate for a RIF board. I don't want to get into it but I have nearly nothing the AF is looking for in officers to retain and some knocks against me. I applied for the VSP but was denied. I still have a service obligation from a PCS but I am 100 percent sure that I will be RIF'd. It actually would have been cheaper for the AF to give me the VSP. Assuming I separate on 1 Feb, 2012, I get four extra months base pay, BAH, plus all that extra leave time and the involuntary separation pay. Not only that but now more manpower hours have to go into my RRF form and RIF board. As I said I'm 100 percent sure that I'll be RIF'd. Thanks AF.

RIF here I come, CONUS

4/24/2011 8:07:03 AM ET
Taking it up the chain, I have emails from the separations branch chief confirming it was first come, first serve. I also have confirmation that this was a pure numbers problem and any ADSC would be waived for officers in the specified year groups.

Reply to up the chain, AF

4/24/2011 8:04:27 AM ET
In an institution that publicizes such a high value on its people, the management of the VSP is a depressing indicator of the bureaucratic reality. Notwithstanding that the Air Force was mandated to normalize its officer levels within a relatively short amount of time, AFPC surely had enough time to identify those career fields and year groups that would have been unsustainable if made eligible for the VSP. Instead, hundreds of airmen endured the burdens of uncertainty fear of reprisal and misinformation as the Air Force effectively changed its collective mind with regard to what constitutes eligibility, all without a single update to those affected.These reactions are not the precipitous outcries of a self-indulgent few. We understand that the needs of the Air Force dictate personnel decisions but this is not a license to mismanage the VSP program in such a heinous manner.

Transparency, masked

4/24/2011 4:35:09 AM ET
Bottom line: we were treated unfairly and I wonder about the legality of the instructions and information that was put out there. A request for information about the instructions and implementation of this at the execution level should be put in immediately. People need to be held accountable for how they handled this. In no way can this process be seen as successful, transparent, or thought out. Someone was lazy, or worse. I would encourage those reading to post more comments about how they feel because this seems like the only place that might be viewed by someone with the ability to prevent such an embarrassing debacle from happening again. The problem remains if we let it remain. How will this happen next time?

Another Scorned Captain , JB

4/23/2011 9:29:20 PM ET
Facebook search for CY 2011 Air Force VSP

Name, data masked

4/23/2011 9:07:35 PM ET
If anyone hears of a class action lawsuit or a facebook page for this one please echo that here. I'd like to get involved if there is one.

Name, data masked

4/23/2011 8:59:49 PM ET
Can anyone confirm that VSP was first come, first serve? I did not see it in any previous PSDM unless I'm mistaken. Also, anyone out there know of any flyers or 21Ms who were accepted?

Taking this up the chain..ie Congress, US

4/23/2011 8:25:51 PM ET
PART 4.. My 2 cents... I realize we fight in a volunteer-based service. I love serving our country I've done it since 1999. Before Mar 1, I was planning on retiring but with 12 years left facing the above stated issues, after thinking long and hard with my family about getting out, I applied to VSP. After watching the rules get changed over and over again I got denied. I wouldn't be bitter if AFPC said at the beginning, less than 6 months of ADSC, but they didn't. I put my family and my career through the hardest decision I'd ever made, only to be shot down. I now have an Officer Performance Report Promotion Recommendation File and Retention Recommendation File to do by the end of the year with a VSP request fresh in the minds of my commanders. How do you think I'll fare? Come and join me, won't you? It's an open access to write your Congressperson.

Not VSPd Capt, CONUS

4/23/2011 8:24:54 PM ET
PART 3 Economics...The AF had the chance to cut 900 officers who had at least 4 years of Active Duty Service Commitment ADSC. I realize they need to keep some around from specialized year groups but you have 900 people apply with the need to cut 2000 from their year groups for 50 to 70k each. Instead of letting people out who they will have to pay Tricare, BAH, COLA, and basic pay to for 4 to 5 years to come, they paid double 100 to 120k to people who had little to no ADSC in an economy where airlines are starting to hire again. My suspicions... Once they got the initial influx they didn't see making their congress-mandated numbers as a challenge. In fact, if folks were willing to get out for so little they might be facing a retention problem when 03 to 05 hit their ADSCs. Well, if you didnt have one before...

Not VSPd Capt, CONUS

4/23/2011 8:23:58 PM ET
Continued part 2 VSP results... 910 applicants, about 500 rated folks, around 300 approved, 70 rated, mostly navs... The question of the day: How can AFPC, when faced with cutting 2000 officers, approve only 300 officers to VSP on a money saving program? Apparently the SECAF was taken aback by how many rated officers applied. Really? We are faced with 120-day deployments every 12 months, 2-week trips once a month while at home from those deployments, 180-day ground deployments which no longer count towards short tours, do professional military education both online and in residence, and forced to get a worthwhile masters degree to stay on track while we're home. Miss 1 checkbox and you might not make it to major. You're surprised, sir, I don't care what your AF Climate Survey record low survey participants say? Good luck keeping the 600 people that who got their dreams crushed around in 4 years.

Not VSPd Capt, CONUS

4/23/2011 3:47:49 PM ET
In echoing Hiding the Truth's comments, if you weren't quick to find this article, good luck finding it now. It isn't even on the AF Portal under the featured items headings. Of course you can read the old press release from 2 Feb.. Real useful. Recommend you share it on whatever social media sites you use. I smell a cover up.

Capt N, CONUS

4/23/2011 2:54:40 PM ET
I applied for separation via Palace Chase due to selection to a competitive position with an investigative federal agency. When they implemented an indefinite hiring freeze I attempted to withdraw my separation, something which is normally very easy. I was told literally by my functional that the Air Force is overmanned and they had to get rid of me. It now looks that as an acquisitions officer with multiple advanced degrees I would have been in a hard-to-fill specialty and most likely retained by the RIF. Bad timing? Yes. However this entire process reeks of incompetence. I truly feel sorry for all of those who will be negatively affected by this process and I wish you all the best.

Capt T, Tyndall AFB FL

4/23/2011 2:35:27 PM ET
Why people are angry... Original AF Times announcement released 21 Feb 11... Google AF details plan to cut up to 2,000 officers. As many as 10,500 officers from lieutenants to colonels face special boards with the power to determine the fate of their careers. Four retention boards are scheduled to cut up to 2,000 officers. The exact number depends on how many choose to leave on their own. From the original PSDM 11 21 CY 11 RIF VSP 1 Mar 2011... The CY11 RIF board will consider all regular officers serving on the active duty list in the grade of Capt and Maj in the following competitive categories and year groups as computed by Total Active Federal Commissioned Service Date, TAFCSD. Table lists all Line of the Air Force captains 2003 2005 and majors of 2000. Attachment 10... RIF eligible officers may apply for separation under the VSP program. Applications will be considered based upon the needs of the Air Force. VSP results... 910 Applicants, about

Not VSPd Capt, CONUS

4/23/2011 6:53:58 AM ET
Anyone else notice how this barely-a-day-old story with more than 33 comments was moved from the front page of www.af.mil to the archives--not to mention not listed as a most viewed story Anyone think the AF really doesn't want anyone else reading these comments Hmmm...

Hiding the Truth, Hidden

4/23/2011 3:41:15 AM ET
And I thought big Air Force only botched enlisted force-shaping initiatives. At least they don't discriminate... Whether you're an E5 or an O4, you're ultimately just one small replacable cog.

Stuart, Planet Earth

4/22/2011 9:28:59 PM ET
@AM MD One thing that many are upset about is that the eligibility criteria changed. The caveat service commitments for flying training however were only waived for six months or less is new. Intentionally or not, you now have 500 pilots who just identified themselves as not team players in a highly competitive career field. I know that if this article had been released on Feb 28th I wouldn't have given VSP a second thought and I'd still have some credibility at work.

Capt, OCONUS

4/22/2011 7:58:17 PM ET
...and the Air Force continues to wonder why they can't keep good Airmen. I separated from the Air Force after 11 years of service. I separated as a TSgt and I now make as much as an O-8 in an IT GS position. I separated for two reasons. One, I was tired of deploying repeatedly while watching some individuals never get a taste of sand, and two, because I knew I would get the axe eventually thanks to some sort of a force-shaping program. Don't worry, the grass is greener on the other side.

Pemby, Tinker AFB

4/22/2011 5:07:27 PM ET
Three of us CE officers put in for VSP here at our JB. Two of us got it. It was wierd because we all were told we were eligible. Regardless, this holding of the cards tight to the chest by AFPC doesn't allow us to make proper decisions for us and our families. The guy that didn't get the VSP was told he would probably be RIF'd due to his PT failure and lack of Master's degree. Awesome.

Anonymous CE Capt, JB CONUS

4/22/2011 4:25:47 PM ET
Could or should there have been clearer guidance or more precise career field targets identified? Sure. Had that happened I suspect those 'targeted' would complain how they were being unfairly subjected to something arbitrary and beyond their control. As I understand it, the primary purpose of this effort and the RIF later this year is to get within Congressionally-mandated end strength while retaining the best Airmen. Is it fair? Probably not. Is it right and necessary? Absolutely! The Air Force has met end strength targets in the past years while retaining more officers than needed and falling short in some critical enlisted grades. In my nearly 30 years of Air Force service it was exceptionally rare for an officer to accomplish enlisted duties even if they found themselves in a situation where more officers were assigned than authorized. Instead, many of those 'excess' officers concentrated their efforts on how to better posture themselves for the next opportunity with...

Retired and amused, Hickam

4/22/2011 3:53:55 PM ET
1. I find it interesting this article was moved from the TOP STORIES to the bottom of the page despite having far more comments than any other article. 2. FACT Majority of members that applied for VSP were NOT eligible despite being told they were. This is based on the requirements in the above article. 3. FACT VSP guidance stated no targeted AFSCs and all ADSCs except Bonus payment commitments were waiverable. Most RATED AFSCs fall under the greater-than-6-month ADSC group. Clear misguidance, false information on the part of the VSP information posted. 4. FACT Now members who voluntarily offered to separate will face a forced RIF. 5. FACT Members were told in the first days of VSP that applications were being approved on a first-come first-served basis. Again misinformation. Like it or not AFPC and AF leadership will have to address 2-5 in a big way. I know of more than 1 Congressional and IG case being filed.

major congressional, CONUS

4/22/2011 2:58:02 PM ET
You guys afraid to post my ealier comment

Been There Maj, Tinker AFB

4/22/2011 2:57:46 PM ET
Laughing Enlisted Member, this forum really isn't the appropriate place for your sour grapes and your comment. But now you get to see what the enlisted live through each and every day doesn't really make sense. The enlisted aren't targeted nearly to the degree the officer corps is every year for reduction in force. One of the great things about a career in the military is the security. However, having to deal with career-changing implications every year is stressful for anyone. Just because commissioned officers have a higher salary doesn't afford anyone the right to mock them. It just comes off sounding immature.

MSgt E, NC

4/22/2011 1:49:00 PM ET
I really love the AFRC and ANG recruting link. I don't care who ya are, that's funny Unfortunately this is probably a sign of the future for both officer and enlisted. Proud to have served but glad I am no longer putting up with it.

Paddy , Enjoying Retirement

4/22/2011 1:22:59 PM ET
It saddens me deeply to have experienced the complete lack of integrity and honesty that was displayed during the entire VSP process. Like others have mentioned, this was a significant decision that was not taken lightly. We all performed our due diligence and received confirmation from AFPC that this force management program was governed by end-strength numbers, not career specialties. The separations branch confirmed via emails and webinars that ADSC would not matter and that the VSP would be approved on a rolling first-comefirst-serve basis until 31 March or desired officer levels were met with respect to year group. The amount of erroneous or baseless information that was provided from AFPC was simply astounding. Where was the transparency in this process? How can you execute a program that profoundly impacts so many people and disregard the importance of open and honest communication? In an institution that publicizes such a high value on its people the management ...

VSP, CONUS

4/22/2011 12:41:13 PM ET
Then to add insult to injury, we were told the disapproval notification will be sent to your commander only, NOT simultaneously to you and your commander. After all this, AFPC, you are using the commander to buffer the questions of How did it come down like this? How completely blinded you are by your own incompetence and your ignorance to the situation you are creating in the daily lives of those you are trying to hold so tight? It doesn't take a genius to see the AF will have a rough road ahead if this is how it intends to operate. As you tried to figure out how to backpedal as fast as you could, my husband's job move was put on hold, put him in the line up for a deployment, and only time will tell how he will be ranked for his next assignment. 500 rated applicants who are being denied VSP now are going to create a HUGE morale shift around the AF. Good luck a few years from now when all 500 leave along with the numerous others who didn't have the guts to put in for VSP they wh

AF Spouse, USA

4/22/2011 12:38:28 PM ET
I honestly feel bad for some of these officers. After all, once they make 1Lt their pay jumps above that of a 12-year MSGT. Not a bad pay raise for only being in 2 years and having had your hand held the whole time. But now you get to see what the Enlisted live through each and every day. The big I HAVE A SECRET game the officers normally play with the Enlisted is coming back to haunt some of them. Oh well. Good luck out here in the civilian world. The civilian world is not going to hold your hands.

Laughing Enlisted Member, McChord

4/22/2011 11:18:31 AM ET
I was RIFed back in 1992 and this looks like it all over again. What a lot of folks don't know is a group of RIFed officers led by a SERB'd O-6 JAG successfully sued the AF because the instructions given to the board members were found to be predjudical and unconstitutional by an appelate court. The AF quitely settled with the group and offered them retirement. My career field was decimated by the RIF and subsequent mass exodus due to a high ops tempo on a two front war. My group is now servicing a three front war. Here we go again. My Dad was AF back in the day and he can't believe how the AF treats its most important assets.

Been There Maj, Tinker AFB

4/22/2011 11:14:20 AM ET
Integrity issues and mind-boggling incompetence from AFPC are one of the primary reasons I'm getting out of the AF. I have seen them chase away too many good leaders and Airmen and they finally chased me away too. They disappoint me so much.

DJ, CONUS

4/22/2011 10:58:41 AM ET
This is no surprise. This type of pulling the rug, false promises etc. has been going on even before I was commissioned. True accountability and leadership has been lacking since Gen Fogleman retired.

Lt Col, Ohio

4/22/2011 10:49:14 AM ET
Well just got my disapproval notice but not sure why. I met all the criteria I am included in the September RIF, I am not receiving a bonus and I am not qualified in a current critical Air Force skill. I do not have specialized training or expertise such as nuclear, acquisition, or other hard-to-fill specialties. Likewise I do not have a service commitment resulting from advanced academic degrees. Good luck to the other applicants... I would love to know more about who was actually selected for the VSP. Like the comments above, now I must deal with repercussions of exposing myself to my chain of command as wishing to leave. I have already been pulled from training opportunities as a result of my application. Not really sure how to fill out the RIF paperwork at this point.

JC Lane, CONUS

4/22/2011 10:34:42 AM ET
I read the article a few times but I fail to see where it says that the elegibility criteria has changed. So I'm not sure what all the arguments are about. Can anyone point out where and how the criteria changed suddenly? I did see that instead of 10 percent redux, it's now 5 which is a good thing.

AM, MD

4/22/2011 10:32:02 AM ET
I see my retirement not too far in front of me and I'm sooo glad, although I will miss the USAF. Transition will be, um, interesting. A senior officer once told a class I took about the AF view of retirement. They have a ceremony, say nice things about you, give you your retirement medal, give your wife a certificate, and wish you well. When what they really want is for you to step outside and get hit by a bus because you're a hundred F-16 tires we can't buy this year. I'm thankful that I'm immune to this ongoing cluster but as usual many good patriotic Airmen are hurt by the very USAF that claims to value them. Budget realities, blah, blah. Just tell us the truth. We'll hold our noses and get on with the job.

DMPI, Al JBAB DC

4/22/2011 8:45:22 AM ET
I don't know what the deal is with them advertising that this was an all encompassing VSB. So many fighter pilots applied under that preface although I suspected that they would not be cutting out many of us. I wonder if this was an attempt to look politically correct and say that we're are eligible when the AF would lose a lot more from having a ton of pilots leave as opposed to a lot of other career fields that are indeed overmanned and you could train a monkey to accomplish anyways.

Captain, RAF Lakenheath

4/22/2011 7:46:15 AM ET
I usually read through most of the comments but I seldom posted my comments. However, regardless of what decision the AF is taking we must have faith with the system. This is how we will win war. At least the AF gives us quite some time to transition from our uniforms back to the civilian world. I'm seriously doubting any companies out there would give us this kind of incentives... They just give you the pink slip. I greatly thank you for the opportunity to serve for almost nine years. I'm hurting, but I'm trying to be a good sport about it.

Thunder OKC, OKC OK

4/22/2011 7:39:40 AM ET
I wonder if any AF senior leadership will ever read these comments. I'm guessing not, but they should. They rarely get the raw truth from the operators in the force but rather polished .ppt presentations from 0-6s looking for promotion. This is an example of a real problem and the folks that put in for this--that had to tell their leadership they weren't a team player anymore-- are getting hosed.

Standard Major, Conus

4/22/2011 4:11:19 AM ET
Well Gen Schwartz...Well AFPC? How do you explain this? This is DISGUSTING. How can you possibly treat your people this way? More proof that your people are nothing but numbers to you, simply pegs to fill holes. I know what you and every one of their commanders are thinking about those who applied for VSP and were denied...Ha, ha...Thanks for self-identifying. You're done--maybe not now but at a time of our choosing--and we don't have to give you anything for it. It is absolutely disgusting to have someone apply for VSP, deny them and then subject them to a RIF--this should only apply to documented--prior to the VSP--discipline or quality force cases who need to be out anyway. If the AF and Gen Schwartz care at all about their people or the future of the AF they MUST address the legitimate concerns aired here. Otherwise we will know what we've always suspected...

Disgusted, Un-happyland

4/22/2011 4:05:56 AM ET
I truly can not express the emotional fiasco ride this VSP program has been on our family. The decision for my husband to put his name in for this was not an easy one, deciding to go for it ONLY after extensively looking into if he was eligible. He sat in on a webinar on VSP, read all the data out, talked to fellow pilots, talked to his commander one on one, talked to me, looked into possible jobs and all while continuing to work well over 12 hour days. Before putting in his name all eligibility data stated First Come, First Serve with his 11F and year group CLEARLY eligible. Then 2 weeks into waiting they say we'll get back to you; later on, yes you're eligible; another few weeks go by and we get it's not first come and we'll let you know next month; then the DAY before notification day they release a statement saying they've changed the eligibility. After all we've been through with the AF I expected a little bit of this yet not to end like this LIED TO.

AF Spouse , USA

4/21/2011 11:35:13 PM ET
I have no issue with the AF establishing very specific criteria for the VSP process. It makes complete sense to analyze personnel numbers and target specific AFSCs and year groups. What is alarming is the perception created by changing the rules midstream. Did AFPC not realize they would receive over 900 applications? Were they surprised by the number of rated applications? The 6 month ADSC waiver requirement eliminated all pilots from all year groups except the 2000 Majors. And even then there were only a handful of eligible pilots. It is OK to make pilots ineligible...but this should have been clearly stated on 1 Mar not 20 Apr. A lot of officers were watching this process closely and again the AF has demonstrated that it does not understand the current state of morale or the repercussions to individuals for applying for VSP and then being denied. We do not ask for much...maybe just some honest leadership and well thought out decisions. Sadly both were missing from the VSP.

Maj Congressional Complaint, CONUS

4/21/2011 8:16:52 PM ET
This at the very least is an IG complaint if not Congressional inquiry for several reasons. Bottom line - Official channels either misled or did not provide accurate information on the program, which led to individuals submitting applications under the false pretense of beIng eligible for approval and had to wait weeks after the application window had closed to find out they never really should have applied since they were never eligible for vsp approval. Oh and btw we still might involuntarily cut you and pay you less when we do. Please at the very least fix this process before other families go thru this unnecessary stress. We owe that to our Airmen.

Captain unlucky, usa

4/21/2011 7:06:50 PM ET
Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do are the AF core values. After this ace-up-the-sleeve move by AFPC they have effectively shown that their core values are Numbers First, Service before Integrity, and Shadiness in Everything We Do. I hope I get RIF'd; I don't want to be a part of this so-called Air Force with hollow promises and being told to do jobs I never signed up to do.

Capt 11X, Not at Work Now

4/21/2011 6:21:02 PM ET
The original first-come, first-serve system was better than this... It seems like the AF waited until the last minute to do the research and figure out who is actually eligible for this program. I'm willing to bet some of the applications, especially from Creech, were not even looked at to make decisions on a case-by-case basis. The laziness on their part put a large amount of unnecessary stress on the service members and on their families. This could have easily been avoided if they determined this criteria prior to giving out false hope. Good job AF - time and time again you remind me why I am separating this summer...

Happily Separating, Civilian World

4/21/2011 6:13:53 PM ET
The Air Staff should be embarrassed. It's going to be funny when the gap between the 8 and 10 year commitments end. With the way our leadership has treated us over the past few years I would not be surprised to see a massive amount of pilots leave at the end of their commitment. I see a trainwreck coming all due to the lack of leadership in today's Air Force.

Vet, CONUS

4/21/2011 5:26:55 PM ET
Sure there is a lot of questionable data here. How about comparing the 6 months the Officer has to separate compared to the 2 months the POOR enlisted had? Not to mention the big chunk of change difference. Just an observation.

Dave Colon, Korea

4/21/2011 5:06:34 PM ET
If you really think the Military cares about its people...then you are sadly mistaken. They only care about the bottom line. We are just numbers/bodies that can easily be replaced. Forget about service before self...take care ofyou and your families first. God knows Uncle Sam won't.

old vet, random base

4/21/2011 4:14:11 PM ET
Is anyone really surprised? This is another perfect example of all that is wrong in the Air Force.

Disgruntled Captain, Moon

4/21/2011 3:30:37 PM ET
I have to agree with the posters on this story. It seems that we the Air Force have an integrity issue on our hands. If this is the case and applicants were told something different than what the actual VSP board members used to determine eligibility then the DoD IG should roll-in. Subsequent actions should include approving all applicants who applied to VSP prior to the RIF board meeting. Core values need to be exhibited at all levels, even by Maj Gen Dunbar.

Mid-Major, Norfolk VA

4/21/2011 2:49:55 PM ET
km- this is not a lot of people's AF, hence why they tried to VSP. At least you get to keep Tricare for you and your family for 6 months if you're RIFed... VSP was money and nothing else and it wasn't that much to begin with.

LCH, CONUS

4/21/2011 2:07:21 PM ET
I completely agree with all the comments. Thank you all. The problem with this is that it puts anyone who applied for it at an automatic disadvantage as they have to now tell their boss sir I wanted to get out but now I'm staying in. These individuals are guaranteed limited career progression or other development opportunities. VSP applicants all took a huge career risk--at least the AF should do is to lay the ground work and stick to it. Second, what's the point of keeping someone in who would like to get out and then booting someone out who would like to stay in based upon AFSC and commissioning year? Classic billets to bodies. This is not the way to maintain a lean, efficient, streamlined AF.

anyonymous, OCONUS

4/21/2011 2:05:27 PM ET
So AFPC goes out of their way to tell hundreds of potential applicants that they are eligible for VSP when they never had any intention of approving their packages I've heard of the USAF pulling some fast ones but I have never before witnessed such a blatent lack of good faith on the part of the USAF. Why not do what they did last time around and publish a matrix displaying exactly how many slots were available by year-group and AFSC? Were they too lazy? Or was there something AFPC was trying to hide? And 6 months of a flyer's ADSC waived...where did they come up with that number? Anyone think a 2000 year group pilot who falls outside of that window will be just a bit disgruntled? So congrats AFPC you have now just bought yourself a bunch of non-productive officers for one more year. And what does this little episode tell the rest of the force? Simple...NEVER under ANY circumstances trust AFPC.

Angry Major, CONUS

4/21/2011 1:57:35 PM ET
This is outrageous. After carefully reviewing the eligibility requirements issued by AFPC many people made the tough and risky decision to appy for VSP. Nowhere in any of the eligibility requirements was there anything at all about service committments for flying training of greater than 6 months not being eligible. It is a sad fact that being blackballed in your career is a very real repercussion that will be felt by many who are denied VSP. Already some have been removed from important jobs just for applying and/or told to expect a 6 month deployment if VSP is denied. People just wouldn't have taken that risk if they knew in advance that they wouldn't be considered. And now they are saying that these same people are eligible for the RIF. What sense does that make? Now these same folks will be spending time putting together packages to be reviewed for the RIF board. What is the point? I'm very disappointed and frustrated with AFPC right now.

AF Spouse, US

4/21/2011 1:49:43 PM ET
My year group wasn't eligible for the VSP. Now I'm glad - Hundreds of quality pilots just told their commander's that they want out...good luck on that next promotion/assignment.When are the airlines hiring...2012

BC, AZ

4/21/2011 1:30:37 PM ET
Where is the integrity by the leadership in this Air Force. How can a organization tell its employees that they are eligible for a program VSP, give them a month to make a life altering decision and then at the very end tell us that we are not eligible if you have an ADSC greater than 6 months. WE WERE NEVER ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM AND YOU ALL AT AFPC KNEW IT BUT YOU REPEATEDLY TOLD US WE WERE.....You flat out lied to our faces...You ask us to leave our families for months on end and we do it willingly. You ask us to put our lives on the line and we do it willingly but you can't even be honest with us. Unbelievable. Well, sir, you have just undermined your character and infuriated your most precious resource....Your people.

Capt Snuffy, Deployed

4/21/2011 12:15:42 PM ET
Those who cannot remember the past are indeed condemned to repeat it. Does anyone remember the great RIF of 1992 when we celebrated our Cold War victory by destroying near entire year groups of good officers? Along with a huge majority of the 1983 year group, I took the money rather than face the RIF board. It took a long time to find a Reserve job to preserve the nine years of active duty I had, but I persevered and manage to make it to retirement. As a grey area retiree I now wait another 10 years to see my pay; however, I must pay back the separation incentive I received so half my pay will go to that until it's paid off, meaning I have to go about 8 years before I get all of my pay. Did no one learn from this abject lesson? Seems not as the comments today are the same as in my day. Progress? Nope, the USAF is all out of that.

Retired Reserve Major, San Angelo TX

4/21/2011 11:27:22 AM ET
Eligible officers not approved for VSP will meet the RIF board. Please tell me I'm reading this wrong. Please tell me that the AF does not somehow think there's any honor or fairness in denying someone's VOLUNTARY separation application only to turn around and subject them to being booted out without the benefit of VSP. I hope to God I'm mistaken. This is not my AF.

km, deployed

4/21/2011 10:19:20 AM ET
I wish the USAF would have released this criteria maybe before people started putting their applications in. Many families toiled over these decisions. We researched before trying our luck at something we were afraid of. Getting out of the military can be a very scary thing in this economy. The fact that over the last two months many families have been in waiting is hard just to hear that we never really qualified.

Air Force Spouse, United States

4/21/2011 8:34:20 AM ET
I would like to know why the criteria for being selected for VSP changed numerous times throughout this process. We received conflicting information from the start and to be very clear I and so many others feel as though the Air Force failed to put Integrity First. Why were we not told about information such as we only selected people with less then 6 month ADSC for flying training were selected. If that was the criteria that was used for selection then it should have been presented up front. Many people wasted a lot of time, resources and effort over the past 2 months waiting on the results of VSP.

Maj Gilmore, Beale AFB

4/21/2011 1:32:59 AM ET
maybe all this criteria they're giving now should have been detailed before having hundreds of pilots risk being blackballed in their communities for applying for a VSP they stood zero chance of getting

peezy, usa

4/21/2011 1:20:15 AM ET
To those who have been following this program from the beginning and who have been told repeatedly that they are eligible, this program represents a lot of things that are wrong with the Air Force. The lack of communication, the changing of rules mid-stream and the inability to realize the impact that this has on members lives and careers and those of our families is shocking. If this article is correct and the intent was never to release critical fields then misinformation was spread. If this article is incorrect then seemingly there would have never been a plan in the first place. Air Force, next time you claim to care about your people take a look at this. I wonder how many people you'll RIF who desperately want to stay in while ignoring the problems that are causing hundreds of your highly trained people to rush for the door only to have it slammed shut in their face. There is a morale problem in our Air Force. Who knows if everyone RIF eligible will really be considered.

Anonymous Captain, CONUS

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