by Debbie Gildea
Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
5/17/2012 – JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO — Prior enlisted officers with eight years of active duty commissioned time may be able to retire through the Air Force 10-8 Commission Waiver Program.
“AFPC announced this program last December as a voluntary force management initiative designed to help us meet mandatory end-strength,” said Lt. Col. Tara White, AFPC retirements and separations chief. “But, the application window closes June 1, so interested eligible members need to act quickly or they will miss their opportunity,”
Normally, a prior enlisted officer must have at least 10 years of active duty commissioned time to be eligible for retirement, said White.
Now prior enlisted officers with 20 years of active duty service may apply for a waiver if they have, or will have, eight years of active duty commissioned time by Sept. 1. Approved applicants must be retired by Sept. 1, White added.
“The Air Force is above congressionally-mandated manning levels, so we are implementing a variety of voluntary programs to help reduce numbers,” she explained. “Every voluntary measure we implement will help minimize the need for involuntary programs.”
The 10-8 waiver opportunity can be a boon for eligible Airmen who want to pursue post-military plans, White explained, but some Airmen may be constrained by active duty service commitments.
“Depending on the reason for the commitment, eligible Airmen may be able to request a waiver for that too,” said White. “ADSCs for some permanent change of station moves, technical training, Post 9-11 GI Bill transfers and tuition assistance may be waiverable under the Limited Active Duty Service Commitment Program.”
According to the colonel, Air Force needs will determine whether a request is approved or not, and some commitments, such as those incurred for developmental education programs or pilot training, will not be waived.
The 10-8 waiver program is open to line of the Air Force, LAF Judge Advocate General, chaplain, bio-medical service corps and medical service corps lieutenant colonels and below.
Some Airmen in those specialties are not eligible to apply, including those under investigation, pending disciplinary action or involuntary discharge, under appellate review, or pending disability evaluation system action, White said. In addition, officers in certain specialties are not eligible to apply for 10-8. They include medical, dental and nurse corps, Catholic chaplains, 11X (pilots) and 12X (navigators) officers, and those whose core specialties are one of the following:
13B – Air Battle Manager
13D – Control and Recovery
13L – Air Liaison Officer
13M – Airfield Operations
14N – Intelligence
32E – Civil Engineer
35P – Public Affairs
64P – Contracting
For application details and information about other voluntary force management programs, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil, select the “All Components” search option and enter PSDM 11-105 in the search box.