Force shaping Phase II evolves for officers in fiscal 2006

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON --  The Air Force’s officer corps is overmanned by about 4,000 Airmen.

In fiscal 2005, the Air Force’s voluntary force shaping initiatives successfully reduced the size of the active duty population to its congressionally authorized level of 359,000.

However, the fiscal 2006 budget trims the Air Force down to 357,400 Airmen. The new population target shows the Air Force will have an overage of officers.

“The Air Force is still experiencing a surplus in officers, particularly in the junior grades,” said Brig. Gen. Glenn F. Spears, Air Force director of force management policy. “We will continue our force shaping efforts until the proper balance and skill mixture is achieved.”

The general said that if the situation were left unresolved, these additional officers would constrain the service’s readiness and operational effectiveness.

Air Force officials recently announced the next force shaping Phase II evolution to address the officer surplus, waiving recoupment of unearned portions of some bonuses and education costs.

“Some of the Air Force programs where recoupment is not pursued include transfers to the Guard or Reserve via Palace Chase, Limited Active Duty Service Commitment waivers, ROTC cadet disenrollment and interservice transfers to the Army via Blue-to-Green,” the general said.

Eligibility criteria differs among the programs and interested officers are encouraged to consult information presented at the Air Force Personnel Center Force Shaping Web site at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/retsep/shape2.htm or their local military personnel flight.

“By further expanding the voluntary force shaping opportunities, the Air Force will continue to shape the force for future operational challenges,” General Spears said. “These recoupment-related initiatives offer additional means for those officers who were considering leaving active duty, but did not want to owe the government.”