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.
New website stream-lines volunteering
U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa has received approval from the Air Force Personnel Center and Air Staff to pilot a new volunteer program website before it goes live Air Force wide.
The new website application makes it simpler for active-duty members and civilians to post, search and log volunteer opportunities and hours in the local area by connecting volunteers with the organizations that seek them.
“This program empowers volunteers to tailor their experience to the opportunities available in the Incirlik community,” said Angela Spatz, a 39th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant. “The web program will also allow the A&RFC the ability to recognize each registered individual’s time and efforts that support our base.”
The web app, located at www.myairforcevolunteer.com, was created in similar fashion as the Presidential Volunteer Service Award website with suggestions and feedback from users to make the site even better.
AF program develops space, cyber experts
The Air Force Space Command Scholars program allows space and cyber operators to study at some of the nation’s most prestigious universities.
AFSPC Scholars provides funding for one 13SX, space and missile operations; and one 17SX, cyberspace warfare operations officer; or 17DX, network operations officer, to attend top-tier civilian universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford University, University of Southern California and other top schools to earn a master’s degree in career field-related areas.
“We want to continue to grow expertise in the space and cyber domains,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen Denker, the AFSPC director of integrated air, space, cyberspace, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. “One of the challenges we have in the cyber mission force is figuring out how to populate the force with cyber expertise in order to do that mission. Sending space and cyber operators back to the field after studying at some of the nation’s best schools gives us that expertise.
Dependent travel to Turkey suspended
Effective Sept. 2, Defense Department-funded travel to Adana, Turkey (including Incirlik Air Base), for dependents has been suspended, and military and civilian dependents in the region are authorized to depart Turkey, announced Department of State and DOD officials.
Military and civilian members with approved dependent travel who have not yet out-processed from their current duty stations should contact their local military personnel sections or civilian personnel sections for guidance. Those with approved dependent travel who are already en route to Turkey should contact their losing personnel sections.
Airmen can also contact the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102 for guidance.
To ensure Airmen and their families are accounted for and have access to assistance, the Air Force Personnel Center has activated the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System. AFPAAS is a web-based application used to account, access, manage and monitor the recovery process for personnel and their families.
To account for themselves and their family members, as well as complete the needs assessment (if necessary), members should go to the AFPAAS site and log in with their common access card or user identification and password.
BSC education program application window open
Eligible Airmen interested in biomedical sciences education or commissioning opportunities can now apply for any of the four available Biomedical Sciences Corps programs now accepting applications.
Available BSC programs include the U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in physical therapy, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Ph.D. program in clinical psychology, the Interservice Physician Assistant Program and the Direct Accession Program.
Each program has specific criteria, but applicants for all programs should be U.S. citizens, meet the minimum commissioning age requirements, meet fitness standards and be medically qualified for worldwide duty.
“The BSC depends on the acquisition of personnel with current military experience to enhance the development of the next generation of leaders in biomedical sciences,” said Kevin Smith, from the Air Force Personnel Center medical force management branch. “Additionally, providing a path for enlistment to commission is a critical force development objective for our specialties.”
