RAP offers ranks more than non-chargeable leave Published Aug. 13, 2008 By by Erin Madigan Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- While preparing to move to his first duty base at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Airman Todd West wanted to spend time with his family in Missouri, but he didn't know how to do it without using up his personal leave. Then he learned about the Recruiter Assistance Program. RAP is an active-duty permissive temporary duty program run by Air Force Recruiting Service since fiscal year 2001. Airmen of all ranks can participate in it multiple times throughout their career. The program proves beneficial to the Air Force and its Airmen by providing recruiters in the field a temporary worker in exchange for the Airman's proximity to the location of their choice with no chargeable leave. It is designed to give recruiters an extra hand with one advantage: Airmen often are familiar with the area and thus can target prospective recruiting "hot spots." "People think the Recruiter Assistance Program can only be done by first-term Airmen after they complete technical training, but in fact, we all can do it, even those of us who are already recruiting," said Tech. Sgt. Charles Roy, 345th Recruiting Squadron enlisted accessions recruiter. "It is a great way for someone who is from an area not near an Air Force base, but near a recruiting office, to earn up to 12 days non-chargeable time (limited to one weekend) with family and friends." Airman West completed the application process and was assigned to assist Sergeant Roy in Ballwin, Mo., located less than one mile from his family home. During weekdays, he helped the recruiter by preparing Air Force information packages, conversing with applicants and visiting local businesses to spread Sergeant Roy's name in the area. The 723rd Air Mobility Squadron air transportation apprentice provided Sergeant Roy a live advertisement of what the Air Force offers through training, lifestyle and experiences. "The goal was to get his name known since he was new to the area and share facts about my experiences in the Air Force with those who were interested," Airman West said. Airman West also found the experience beneficial in ways he hadn't expected. Meeting people he had known before he joined the Air Force gave him a new perspective. "Some didn't recognize me at first because my physical appearance was so drastically different," he said. "Some people congratulated me, some thanked me, others were simply curious about what I had done and what I planned to do in the future." Assisting the recruiter also gave the new Airman the opportunity to gain advice from an experienced noncommissioned officer about his career and future. Acquiring non-chargeable leave through RAP takes just a few steps. All Airmen, regardless of rank, must first obtain permission from their supervisors and commanders to participate. The second step is for Airmen to complete and submit AFRS IMT 1327 applications to the appropriate recruiting squadron RAP monitors. The recruiters' RAP monitors notify Airmen of the approval status. When applications are approved, Airmen then submit leave forms with the leave marked as "non-chargeable leave for dates of participation in the Recruiter Assistance Program." While on RAP duty, Airmen must perform tasks in a satisfactory manner as determined by the assigned recruiters. Additional details are available on the official fact sheet on the AFRS Web site at www.rs.af.mil. The program is more than an easy way to gain leave, though. Airman West found, "Every encounter was a positive, uplifting experience that made me proud to wear the uniform." To apply Applying for RAP takes just a few steps: 1. Complete form AFRS IMT 1327 All Airmen must complete and submit a form AFRS IMT 1327, Application for Participation in the Recruiter Assistance Program. 2. Obtain supervisor and commander approval The applicant's command section must verify eligibility to participate in RAP. The form must include the signature of the applicant's supervisor in the training squadron section of the form and the signatures of the applicant's commander in the training group section of the form. Members with a UIF, LOR, who are on a Control Roster or subject to UCMJ action, are not eligible for RAP. 3. E-mail or fax approved application to RAP monitor Use the Recruiter Locator link on www.AIRFORCE.com to locate the recruiting office in the desired leave area. The e-mail address includes the recruiting office squadron number. For example, the e-mail address rode331@randolph.af.mil reveals the recruiting office is part of the 331st Recruiting Squadron. Visit http://preview.afnews.af.mil/rs/units for the list of AFRS recruiting squadron contact information. Call the squadron and request to speak with the RAP monitor to acquire the e-mail address or fax number to submit the completed form AFRS IMT 1327. Applicants must submit their forms directly to the appropriate RAP monitors for processing. Forms submitted directly to recruiters will not be processed. Additionally, technical school participants must submit their applications to RAP monitors four weeks before graduation, and they must notify RAP monitors if graduation date changes will affect their RAP dates. 4. RAP monitors notify applicants of approval status Forms can fall in three categories: approved; approved, but not for the dates requested, or disapproved. When RAP duty is approved, the applicant must reply to the RAP monitor by the deadline provided. When a request is approved, but not for the dates requested, the applicant can choose not to participate in RAP or choose other dates suggested by the RAP monitor. If alternate dates are approved, the applicant must reply to the RAP Monitor by the deadline provided. 6. Complete a leave form Airmen approved and confirmed for RAP duty must complete an Air Force Form 988, Leave Request Authorization. Block 9, Type of Leave, should be marked as "other" and the comment, "non-chargeable leave for dates of participation in the Recruiter Assistance Program" should be printed in the remarks section. To participate in RAP, the supervisor of the applicant must approve of the leave. An applicant, who does not have approval for leave, must notify the recruiter who coordinates the information with his or her squadron RAP monitor. 7. Call for RAP time and location Airmen approved and confirmed for RAP, must call the recruiters to determine the time and location to meet for duty. 8. While participating in RAP Airmen must perform RAP duties in a satisfactory manner as determined by their assigned recruiter. This includes displaying a professional military appearance, positive and enthusiastic attitude, and exemplary personal conduct at all times. When an Airman's performance is deemed unsatisfactory, the recruiting squadron commander may terminate the RAP duty, placing the Airman on chargeable leave status. When RAP duty is served in conjunction with a TDY or PCS, the Airman must ensure RAP participation does not interfere with the report no later than date or port call, which take priority over leave. Technical school graduates are responsible for notifying their unit of their arrival date. 9. Obtain a RAP Participation Verification Letter When RAP duty is completed, the assistant should request a RAP Participation Verification Letter from the recruiter. The letter must be signed by the recruiting squadron commander, certifying the dates of RAP duty as non-chargeable leave. Airmen should maintain a copy of the letter for their records before submitting it with Part III of their leave forms. Airmen, who participated in RAP duty while on TDY or PCS status, should submit the letter with their travel vouchers. For more information, Airmen can visit http://www.usafdep.com/news_recruiter.php and download the RAP Handbook. Airmen may also contact the AFRS/RSOPB Office at DSN 665-0381 or Comm. (210) 565-0381, or e-mail PSApplications@rs.af.mil. NOTE: RAP applications submitted to the PS Applications e-mail address will not be processed.