MARCH 29, 2022 – The first CY22 Career Intermission Program application window opens April 1 for eligible Airmen and Guardians interested in a one to three year temporary break from active duty to meet personal or professional needs outside the service.
The time commitment members must serve upon return to active duty is now a “one month for one month” ratio, instead of the previously required “two months for every one month” of program participation due to a recent change in the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act.
CIP was established in 2014 to allow members to temporarily transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve and then make a seamless transition back to active duty status. The program allows participants to retain full medical and dental benefits for themselves and eligible dependents, as well as exchange and commissary benefits. Participants also receive a monthly stipend of one-fifteenth of their basic pay.
Additionally, members are authorized travel and transportation allowances to one home of selection within the U.S., and from their home of selection to their follow-on assignment upon return to active duty.
“This is another example of how our department is working to retain talented individuals,” said John A. Fedrigo, acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. “We’ve found that these individuals return to active duty with enhanced experience, relevant education and a renewed purpose to serve.”
CIP is open to regular Air Force, “career status” active Guard and Reserve Airmen, and Space Force Guardians during application windows. Additionally, dual military Airmen or Guardians who receive unsupported join spouse assignments, as well as Airmen or Guardians with humanitarian circumstances, can apply for out-of-cycle CIP consideration.
The 1:1 payback change is applicable to those Airmen or Guardians who enter the CIP program on or after Dec. 27, 2021.
There may be specific situations in which one-year participation in CIP will still require a two-year commitment upon a member’s return, such as a PCS-based Active Duty Service Commitment or ADSCs totaling less than 12 months.
For case-specific questions on how this change applies to them, interested members should discuss it with their leadership and career field teams. For more information on specific eligibility, contact the Air Force Personnel Center Career Intermission Program office by emailing AFPC.DP2LT.CareerIntermission@us.af.mil.
Applications for the first application window in CY22 will be accepted from April 1 to May 13, 2022. Eligibility criteria, application cycles, and application procedures information may be found here.
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs