NCO retraining program application window opens

by Debbie Gildea

Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - RANDOLPH, Texas – More than 1,300 noncommissioned officers may apply for retraining under the fiscal year 2013 NCO Retraining Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.

The two-phase program is used to balance and sustain the enlisted force by moving second-term and career Airmen from overage career fields to shortage career fields, said Master Sgt. Angela Harris, AFPC Skills Management Branch Superintendent. Phase I is voluntary and Phase II is involuntary.

During Phase I, Airmen in unrestricted career fields may apply for retraining into any shortage career field listed on the retraining advisory, if they meet requirements. Voluntary applications will be accepted through Oct. 5.

Airmen in restricted career fields will be able to apply only for specific career fields, and will also have a shorter Phase I application window: July 30-Sept. 3. For example, last year 4N0X1 medical career field Airmen were allowed to retrain only into the 4N0X1C medical career field shred, Harris explained.

During Phase II, the AFPC Total Force Service Center will immediately begin selecting the most qualified and vulnerable Airmen involuntarily, in order to meet the retraining out objectives from overage career fields.

The master vulnerability list is available on the virtual Military Personnel Flight website (accessible via the Air Force Portal or the myPers website) and affected Airmen must check it weekly, Harris said.