Air Force officials announce new PCS guidelines Published Nov. 2, 2006 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- In an effort to meet budget mandates, Air Force leaders have directed several assignment related initiatives to reduce the permanent change of station budget deficit. The new guidelines include changes to assignment availability Code 50 maximum stabilized tours, the standard time on station for certain members transferring between stateside bases and officers departing for professional military education, overseas assignment curtailments, funded join-spouse assignments, as well as the officer time-in-area policy. Members serving in a Code 50 designated stabilized tour will have their tour automatically extended 12 months beyond the current expiration date. The extension is in addition to any voluntary extension the member may have already entered. Career enlisted aviators and rated officers in flying positions are exempt. Members with a projected PCS based on the previous Code 50 rules may apply for cancellation. Enlisted members and officers in the support, judge advocate, chaplain and medical career fields as well as most rated staff positions will be subject to a 48-month TOS minimum before being considered for a PCS between stateside bases unless mission requirements dictate otherwise. Officers selected for PME must have 24 months TOS prior to departure. Exceptions to this policy must be thoroughly justified and waivers must be requested by a general officer, colonel wing commander or their equivalents. Members serving in overseas assignments will serve their full tour length. Waivers will only be granted for mission requirements and must be requested by a general officer, colonel wing commander or their equivalents. However, there are exemptions to this requirement such as officers rotating to and from commander's billets and humanitarian reassignments. Funded join-spouse assignments, except those from one overseas location to another, will require 24 months TOS. Members will be allowed to volunteer for permissive PCS if they have 12 months TOS and the members travel concurrently; however, PCS entitlements must be waived, and the member must agree to incur all PCS related costs. The Washington, D.C. tour review and officer time in area policy for San Antonio and Colorado are suspended until further notice. This policy required review of all assignments resulting in a permanent change of station or assignment between bases in the same local area, or a return PCS to the same location or area within a two-year period. For more information, to include a list of frequently asked questions, visit the AFPC Web site.