Force Shaping Phase II evolves for fiscal 2006

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON --  The Air Force achieved its congressionally mandated active-duty end strength of 359,700 Airmen for fiscal 2005. The Air Force had exceeded that ceiling until now.

Force Shaping Phase II initiatives successfully reduced the overall size of the force; however, the Air Force still has more officers than authorized and Phase II will continue into the next fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1.

"We will now limit voluntary separation opportunities for active-duty enlisted Airmen, while maintaining voluntary programs for officers," said Brig. Gen. Glenn F. Spears, force management policy director on the director of personnel staff at the Pentagon.

"We met our goals to balance and reduce excesses in our enlisted force, and we must continue to focus on shaping the officer force in size and skills," he said.

Two force-shaping initiatives for the enlisted force will be retained: the “Blue to Green” option and the career job reservation program.

"Airmen who do not wish to obtain a CJR or do not want to retrain may apply to transfer to the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard via Palace Chase, transfer to the Army via the Blue to Green program, apply for opportunities in civil service or separate upon fulfillment of their enlistment," General Spears said.

For Air Force officers, force-shaping opportunities are still available and will continue until the Air Force meets its end strength numbers for 2006.

"We currently have more officers than allowed by law, particularly in the junior grades," General Spears said. "This excess produces operational and fiscal costs -- it restricts their opportunities to serve and to develop as leaders in our force, and it takes dollars from other validated requirements. Therefore, we will continue to offer a variety of programs for these officers to voluntarily leave the Air Force. If there are insufficient volunteers, we will have to consider other options.”

The latest force-shaping opportunities are now available on the Air Force Personnel Center Web site at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/retsep/shape2.htm.