Air Force officials conclude 2010 NCO retraining program Published March 31, 2010 By 1st Lt. Gina Vaccaro McKeen Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The 2010 NCO Retraining Program has concluded with 966 Air Force NCOs identified to transition to new career fields and the successful introduction of two new procedures. Efforts to rebalance the NCO force are being considered a success this year, officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here said. "We are very happy with the results of NCORP this year since we met our objectives," said Col. William Foote, the director of AFPC's Personnel Services Directorate. "Those objectives included shortening the cycle time of identifying individuals to fill our shortage Air Force specialties and getting as close as possible to 100 percent of those shortfalls filled. We were pleased to meet a majority of our objectives through volunteers to retrain." NCORP is an Air Force program designed to maintain balance in enlisted manning across career fields. In Phase I, designated NCOs may volunteer to retrain into their choice of stressed career fields. In Phase II, officials identify nonvolunteers for retraining based on remaining Air Force needs. Airmen who are identified for retraining in Phase II may elect to retrain or separate from the Air Force. NCORP concluded with a 96 percent fill rate out of 1,003 candidates. The other 4 percent are still available. While personnel officials are pleased with the program's results, they are reminding members there are slots that still need to be filled and encouraging interested Airmen to volunteer. Airmen can find the available Air Force specialties on the master retraining list on the virtual Military Personnel Flight. Airmen can click on the retraining button to view current information. Personnel officials said this year's program successfully introduced two changes to the program benefitting members. First, the total process for the program was condensed to 120 days from six to nine months. This change gave Airmen more time to pursue special duty assignments and other career opportunities once they were released from the retraining list. Once an NCO was released from the list of NCOs eligible for retraining, he or she was free to pursue other career choices, officials said. Second, members were allowed to apply for special programs such as military training instructors that previously would have made them ineligible to participate in NCORP. This provided Airmen greater flexibility and increased their opportunity to retrain, AFPC officials said. "The changes provided more options for Airmen and helped us fill special duty positions," Colonel Foote added. For more information on NCORP, visit AFPC's Personnel Services Web site and search the key word "retraining." Airmen can also contact their military personnel section, career development section, base career assistance advisor or the 24/7 Total Force Service Center toll-free at 800-525-0102.