Officers leaving career to chance by not using plan

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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Recent statistics show that a significant percentage of Air Force officers have not completed or updated the mandatory form detailing future assignments and development opportunities.

The Transitional Officer Development Plan went into effect November and so far more than 30 percent of officers, lieutenant colonel and below, have not completed the form, officials said.

"This is an officer's direct communication tool in the force-development process," said Col. Kathleen Grabowski, chief of assignments programs and procedures at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "Development teams use these forms to review an officer's career goals and recommend the best developmental vector for each officer."

"If the (form) isn't completed, development teams have zero input from the officer or their commander," said Col. Dave Nuckles, deputy chief of assignment programs and procedures. "The sooner people get their (form) done the better.

"Each career field's development team will meet at least twice every year," he said. "It's up to the officer and commander to ensure the (form) is current before the team meets."

Rated officer development teams are already preparing to meet and have set the following deadlines for submission:

-- April 8, mobility Air Force officers.

-- April 19, Air Force Special Operations Command and combat Air Force officers.

-- July 9, all remaining rated officers.

While the form is similar to the old “preference worksheet,” there are differences. It requires officers to consider long-range career plans and goals, not just their next assignment preferences, Colonel Nuckle said. It also provides an opportunity for feedback from the development teams to the officer.

Officers can contact their assignment teams for more information about T-ODP submission timelines. To fill out a form, officers must log on to the Assignment Management System at: https://afas.afpc.randolph.af.mil/amsweb/master.cfm. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service)