Early retirement offered to select enlisted Airmen

WASHINGTON (AFNS — Air Force officials announced an application window for targeted early retirements for enlisted Airmen.

Eligible Airmen will have 15-19 years of service in fiscal 2012 and be in the grades of staff sergeant through master sergeant in overmanned career fields.

The Temporary Early Retirement Authority application window will be open through April 30 in order to shape the force to meet current and future mission requirements. Approvals will occur after the application window is closed.

Approximately 250 Airmen will be approved under TERA based on grade, years of service, eligible Air Force specialty code, and other objective criteria based on the needs of the Air Force. Those who apply and are approved for early retirement will have a Sept. 1 retirement date. Airmen approved for TERA will have their retired pay reduced by 1/12th of 1 percent for each full month by which the number of months of active service are less than 240 as of the date of the member’s retirement. The Air Force Personnel Center’s fiscal 2012 enlisted TERA program page, located at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/app/answers/detail/a_id/21836, will contain additional information on retirement eligibility.

“As we continue to size and shape our force, we must have the right balance of skills to meet Air Force missions,” said Maj. Gen. Sharon Dunbar, the director of Force Management Policy, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U. S. Air Force. “TERA allows us to use a voluntary program to shape the force where we have overages in Air Force specialties.”

The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve do not plan on conducting force management actions in fiscal 2012. However, all components are working together to ensure the total force is prepared for manpower reductions in fiscal 2013.