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ADANA, Turkey - The Air Force high year of tenure change, projected to begin in 2013, already affects airmen at Incirlik Air Base in many ways. Airmen have lost follow-on assignments to locations where they no longer had the required amount of service retainability, and some may need to prepare for involuntary separation or retirement if they fail to make the next rank.
High year of tenure is the maximum number of years enlisted airmen in each grade may remain on active duty. In 2003, HYT rates rose to retain experienced airmen during a period of a robust economy and lower retention rates.
In 2010, the Air Force began the process to normalize HYT, reducing senior airman, technical sergeant, master sergeant and senior master sergeant levels. Still, fiscal 2011 ended with approximately 1,200 airmen over manning goals.
In December 2011, the Air Force announced HYT rates will adjust beginning in 2013 with changes to senior airman through technical sergeant ranks. The purpose of the change is to again meet reduced manning goals by sizing and shaping the military force along a 30-year continuum of service. The limits for senior airman will decrease from 10 years to eight years, staff sergeant 20 years to 15 years, and technical sergeant 22 years to 20 years.
These changes have affected and will affect airmen's assignments that fall after the 2013 HYT change.
"All airmen with a projected assignment to any overseas location who no longer had the required service retainability had the projected assignment cancelled," said Master Sgt. Tanya Simon, 39th Force Support Squadron career development superintendent. airmen who did not have a follow-on assignment had their date eligible for return from overseas involuntarily extended due to insufficient retainablility to have a permanent change of station to the continental U.S. or their DEROS curtailed to match the new HYT.
"This change is Air Force wide, but because Incirlik Air Base is a short-tour assignment, more service members had follow-on assignments and saw firsthand the effects of the HYT change," said Simon. Airmen received an opportunity to provide eight CONUS follow-on choices for Air Force personnel center's consideration.
Senior Airman Andrew Valyo, 39th Operations Squadron air traffic controller, was one airman affected by the HYT change. After initially receiving notification of his follow-on assignment cancellation, Valyo's leadership directed him to Air Force Instruction 36-2606, Re-enlistments in the United States Air Force. The airman found the AFI stated re-enlistment eligible first term airmen authorized a Zone A selective re-enlistment bonus, meaning they are eligible for a bonus and have between 17 months and six years of service, will have their HYT adjusted to 10 years of service provided the re-enlistment or extension occurs before they complete six years total active military service.
This AFI applied to Valyo. Therefore, by researching policies and bringing it to AFPC's attention, he was allowed to keep his projected assignment.
Valyo advised fellow airmen to "plan ahead, study for your tests, make rank and stay current on Air Force policies and changes."
Most airmen with assignments affected by HYT at Incirlik were notified and the proper adjustments made. While most assignment issues are resolved, HYT will continue to affect airmen. Most airmen affected will have two opportunities to test for the next higher grade before the change becomes effective. Senior airmen and staff sergeants who separate due to HYT will receive involuntary separation pay. Technical sergeants may apply for full retirement if leaving active duty because of reaching their HYT just as they would under existing policy.
Extensions of HYT due to unusual or extraordinary circumstances are still applicable under existing guidelines. These may include reasons such as extreme personal hardship or if an extension is in the best interest of the Air Force.
Force management programs are required due to several factors including exceeding authorized end strength, a slow economy and record high retention rates. The 2013 HYT plan will help ensure the Air Force is on target for current and future manning requirements.
For more information about HYT limits or other personnel related issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2012 05:28 |
| Story ID: | 88143 |
| Location: | ADANA, TR |
| Web Views: | 218 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, HYT change already affecting Incirlik Airmen, by SSgt Lana Mills, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
