Editor’s Note: The “People First†section is compiled from information from the Air Force Personnel Center, TRICARE, 56th Force Support Squadron, Airman and Family Readiness Flight, Veterans Affairs, the civilian personnel office and armed forces news services. For the complete story, go to the web address listed at the end of the story.
Overseas extension incentive changes ahead
Airmen stationed at overseas long-tour locations who extend their tours Aug. 1 or later may be eligible for incentives, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.
Recent changes to the Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program will affect members who make a “date eligible for return from overseas†decision Aug. 1 or later. Some Air Force specialty codes have been added to the eligibility list, while others have been removed, said Bill Warner, the AFPC Assignment Programs and Procedures Branch chief. The OTEIP exists to increase stability and decrease permanent-change-of-station costs, he said.
Eligible Air Force Specialty Codes are periodically reviewed and approved by the Secretary of the Air Force.
Airmen who accept OTEIP can opt for one of three incentives: $2,000 special lump sum payment, 30 days of nonchargeable vacation time or 14 days of nonchargeable vacation time and funded travel (for the military member only) to the nearest stateside port and back.
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123309968
White House launches SAVE Award competition
The White House’s fourth annual Securing Americans Value and Efficiency Award competition launched July 10 as part of the Obama administration’s ongoing effort to modernize government.
The SAVE Award will run July 10 through 24.
In 2009, the president established the SAVE Award to seek cost-cutting ideas directly from federal employees.
According to Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, federal employees have submitted more than 75,000 cost-cutting ideas over the past two years, and those ideas are making a difference.
Dr. Jamie Morin, the acting undersecretary of the Air Force, in an email to all Airmen, added that he thanks the many Airmen who participated in prior years, and encourages all Airmen to take time to consider and submit their good ideas this year.
Employees with ideas about how their agency can save money and perform better should submit them through the SAVE Award website, http://www.whitehouse.gov/save-award.
The winner will be invited to the White House to present his or her idea to President Obama, and other ideas will be included in the president’s next budget submission.
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123309777
19th Air Force inactivates, Maj. Gen. Solo retires
Nineteenth Air Force stood down in an inactivation ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, July 12 after more than 19 years of managing flying training for all of Air Education and Training command.
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Mark Solo, 19th AF commander, joined Gen. Edward Rice, AETC commander, in furling and casing the 19th Air Force flag, marking Solo’s relinquishment of command.
Rice lauded Solo and the men and women of 19th Air Force for their role in ensuring a smooth transition of authorities from 19th AF to AETC while still executing the daily mission.
http://www.aetc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123309820
Be careful what you post; it could hurt your career
Social media quickly became a widespread form of interactive communication and has been incorporated in the way people conduct business, including the military.
There are now strict policies in place to regulate social media and whatever is posted online can land service members in deep trouble. Certain actions can be punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
An example occurred last year when a staff sergeant assigned to the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received an Article 15, got a stripe taken away, had to pay $500, and received a reprimand for posting inappropriate comments on Facebook.
Another example that appeared on national media was Marine sergeant who affiliated himself with the tea-party and criticized President Barack Obama on his private Facebook page. His security clearance was suspended and he now faces an other-than-honorable discharge.
