6/7/2011 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Enlisted members now have 77 Air Force specialties from which they can receive a selective re-enlistment bonus.
Officials said this fiscal year's program retains a heavy emphasis on retaining Airmen with 17 months to six years of service, and made adjustments in the 6 to 10 and 10 to 14 years-of-service zones. There were no adjustments in the 18 to 20 years-of-service zone.
"Balancing the enlisted force is a constant challenge; using SRBs is certainly one of the most effective retention tools the Air Force can employ to retain our number one priority ... our Airmen," said Michael McLaughlin, the chief of Air Force re-enlistments at the Air Force Personnel Center here.
Officials added no Air Force specialty codes to the list and increased 13 AFSCs in at least one zone. Thirty-six AFSCs had a zone eliminated or decreased and 13 AFSCs were removed from the program.
All increases and additions went into effect May 16 and all decreases and deletions will go into effect June 15. Any re-enlistments or extensions of any length were completed prior to the official message release will remain valid. Airmen who are eligible for re-enlistment and are affected by decreases or removals should re-enlist before June 14 to receive the previously approved bonus.
These bonuses do not apply to Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard members.
To determine eligibility for re-enlistment with an SRB entitlement, members should contact the career development element at their local military personnel section.
For a complete SRB listing and more information about the program, do a keyword search for "SRB" on Air Force personnel services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.
(Courtesy of Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs)
Comments
7/7/2011 1:15:55 PM ET So my enlistment is up Nov18, and Dec11 would be my ten-year mark bonus for plus 10. There is no way to extend to pick-up those few days needed, like maybe delayed enlistment time. Anyone have any ideas? Oh yea, I am in the military for monetary gains because my family comes first and if you don't like that you can go shine your bust of an Indian Chief head.
MSgt Snide, Up up in the air
6/9/2011 11:13:24 AM ET To the Aerial Gunner that is concerned about the loss of a re-enlistment bonus. If you are in the military for monetary gains, you need to re-think your motivations. In my opinion, your comment is disrespectful for those that made the ultimate sacrifice live the creed ...These Things We Do So Others May Live.
Concerned, Worldwide
6/8/2011 2:05:22 PM ET I agree with SW OK. Why are we paying retention bonuses with unemployment running at over 9 percent and retention at an all time high? I know why we pay pilot retention bonuses. It is pilot general officers taking care of other pilots, but why all the others?
Jerry, Oklahoma
6/8/2011 11:58:12 AM ET So 1A7X1 Aerial Gunner is on the critical-manned career field list, yet our leaders decided to drop Zone B and Zone C from the SRB list. Oh and lets not forget we are Battlefield Airman, so I say take away the bonus from guys who fly into the most daring situations on a day to day basis and give it to airmen who sit in a booth and play war on a screen.
AF Gunner, Nellis AFB
6/7/2011 2:43:35 PM ET I am confused. We rolled back the HYT because retention was good implemented force management because recruiting and retention was at its highest ever and publish articles every quarter on meeting or exceeding recruiting and retention goals for the last five years. So why during a fiscal crisis do we still have SRB and ACP? I know ACP is unrelated to this article but a valid point. If anyone remembers this was implemented at a time when it was becoming difficult to retain certain critical skills...so why are so many 77 still getting it This is not an entitlement it is a benefit that is no longer needed according to force management programs.
