Combat rescue, special tactics retention bonuses available

  • Published
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  Qualified special operations officers are now eligible for a maximum of $100,000 in critical skills retention bonus money if they voluntarily extend their active-duty service commitment for up to four years. 

The bonuses are due in part to a $2.5 million deposit from Department of Defense officials.

"The consistently high demand for our limited number of combat rescue and special tactics officers makes it crucial that we retain as many as of these seasoned officers as possible on active duty," said Maj. J.T. Goodson, the chief of airfield operations, special tactics and combat rescue assignments at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "These officers have experience and skills that we simply can't afford to lose."

Recognizing the additional necessity to retain those nearing retirement, Air Force officials included a provision in the critical skills retention bonus that allows those who are less than four years from mandatory retirement to incur a two- or three-year active duty service commitment.

Approximately 120 officers have been pre-identified as eligible for this bonus. They are eligible for $25,000 per year of additional active duty service commitment they incur.

To qualify for the critical skills retention bonus, officers must meet several criteria, including, but not limited to, the following:
-- Must have a core identification and be fully qualified as a 13D, control and recovery, 
-- Must not have applied for or have an approved date of separation less than four years out from the 13D critical skills retention bonus effective date,
-- Completed their initial skills training and initial obligation of service active duty service commitments, and
-- Cannot be receiving any other retention bonuses.

The retention monies are not associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

For more information on critical skills retention bonus qualifications, e-mail airfieldops@randolph.af.mil, visit AFPC's "Ask" Web site, or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102 or DSN 665-5000. 

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