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.
AFPC offers follow-on option
to Airmen taking short tours
Airmen selected for a dependent-restricted short tour for their second or later assignments can voluntarily apply to participate in the Follow-On assignment program, providing them greater flexibility in the assignment process and greater stability for their families.
The Department of Defense designed the Follow-On assignment program to provide all service members, officers and enlisted, with family stability, as well as to decrease permanent change of station costs. The application is a voluntary agreement with the Airman not to use PCS allowances in exchange for advance assignment consideration of a stateside assignment, before they leave on a dependent-restricted short-tour assignment. The Air Force processes follow-on assignments to overseas locations as an exception to policy.
“The Air Force has a placement rate of 70.8 percent for follow-on assignments for the enlisted force in 2017,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jennifer Holton, superintendent of the Support Career Management branch at the Air Force’s Personnel Center. “As long as Airmen are putting down realistic location choices based on authorizations that exist at the desired follow-on locations, we’ve been successful at giving them what they want.”
http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1372943/afpc-offers-follow-on-option-to-airmen-taking-short-tours/
AF Alpha Warriors prove
mettle in ‘Final Battle’
A new era of Comprehensive Airman Fitness reached a milestone in November with the first Air Force Alpha Warrior “Final Battle.”
The competition was the culmination of an Air Force program that featured 15 regional competitions across the Air Force. The top male and female qualifiers from each region, along with the 10 men and women with the fastest times, advanced to compete over a grueling 32-obstacle course at Retama Park’s Alpha Warrior Proving Ground in Selma, Texas.
The event also was a celebration of Air Force tradition on Veterans Day. Maj. Gen. Brad Spacy, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center commander, delivered opening remarks; the Air Force Band of the West performed; the Joint Base San Antonio Color Guard presented the colors; and Col. Donna Turner, AFSVA commander, swore in 30 new Air Force recruits.
“(Air Force Alpha Warrior) is especially exciting for me because I have seen this grow and evolve throughout the Air Force,” Spacy said. “This is the next level of athletic competition. It makes you run, it makes you climb, it makes you think, it makes you worry and it tests your core.This is what we are all about.”
http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1373771/af-alpha-warriors-prove-mettle-in-final-battle/
Air Force recognizes
veterans in blue
Veterans in Blue 2017 is now available online. First launched in 2010, Veterans in Blue is a portrait collection showcasing men and women who have contributed to the security of our nation and the legacy of the Air Force.
This year, the series showcases 38 stories of service by Air Force veterans. The Airmen highlighted helped maintain readiness and our nation’s security during the Cuban missile crisis and global conflicts, drove innovation to secure the service’s future, strengthened alliances and developed leaders in all walks of life — priorities for all Airmen today.
Many of the veterans selected have continued their service by leading in businesses and their communities. Through the Veterans in Blue project, these service members share their personal stories of how the Air Force has made a difference in their lives.
“Every veteran’s contribution has helped make our Air Force what it is today, and we are proud to be able to tell the stories of these men and women and honor their service to our country,” said 1st Lt. Kippun Sumner, 3rd Combat Camera Squadron and lead for this year’s project.
http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1368498/air-force-recognizes-veterans-in-blue/
AU-ABC program expands
enlisted education prospects
Airmen join the Air Force for a variety of reasons, but perhaps the most common is for the service’s vast educational opportunities.
The Air University-Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative program, or AU-ABC, is perhaps a little-known opportunity that can reap big rewards.
The AU-ABC was created to help enlisted Airmen pursue advanced education beyond the associate degrees they earn through the Community College of the Air Force. The program links CCAF graduates to accredited civilian academic institutions that offer online or distance learning bachelor’s degrees.
Since its inception in 2007, the AU-ABC program has helped more than 104,000 Airmen complete nearly 203,000 courses at civilian institutions, resulting in the completion of 4,396 bachelor’s degrees. Of those Airmen earning their four-year degrees through the program, 94 have commissioned as officers in the Air Force.
http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1371322/au-abc-program-expands-enlisted-education-opportunities/
