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Guest Walter_Sobchak
Posted

So the guidance on the AFPC website makes it sound like they want a T-ODP for all officers. I've only been at my duty station for about three or four months so I've got a couple years until a PCS even becomes a question. Anybody know if I should fill out the T-ODP (which would basically express my desire to stay right where I am) or just wait until I start coming up on 24 months on station?

Guest KoolKat
Posted

Gumby,

I don't think you have to fill it out now. It IS a good idea to start thinking about your career in a broader scope. Figure out what you want from it, where you want to end up, and what you need to do to get there.

Be prepared to fill it out when you get closer to a PCS. AFPC loves paperwork...mostly so they can lose it, but all the same.

BENDY

Posted

This thread is riding the edge.

Let's get it back on track.

Gumby -

For your first assignment, AFPC advises at the one year point, but you want to have your T-ODP in by the time you hit 24 months because you'll most likely be on the VML after that. But don't expect another assigment until you've been there AT LEAST two and a half years.

HD

Posted

Drivel removed - FNG stands for F***ing New Guy.

The T-ODP is going to be a little different for a new guy, especially if you're preparing for pilot training. You've pretty much got the next few years of your life laid out for you with respect to what you're going to do. Obviously that's in a general sense (UPT somewhere, then survival somewhere, then FTU somewhere, then operational somewhere), but it doesn't much require a T-ODP. When the T-ODP really starts to come into play is when you're up for an assignment that you have some say in. Definitely when you get to your first post UPT tour, have that thing filled out. AFPC could come up with a short notice tasking, and while those normally aren't real desirable, there is the occassional winner.

About three months ago, AFPC had a very short tasking for an Italian F-18 flying position. The original candidate had gone long term DNIF and they needed to fill his spot within a matter of days. The first thing they do is go to the masses of T-ODPs and look at people who have things like "Foreign Exchange Tour" near the top. There was a guy in our squadron who was prime for the spot and wanted to go, but his wife was like eight months pregnant and he didn't want to pack his crap up, sell his house, and drag his ready-to-pickle wife over to Italy.

Guest KoolKat
Posted

Yeah, kinda. It's the "Officer Development Program." Trying to get you the assignments you want (trying anyway.)

It's weird, if I hadn't had another AFSC...I wouldn't have had any idea either man.

BENDY

Guest KoolKat
Posted

I believe the "T" stands for Transition.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Toro's post describes the whole concept pretty well I think.

BENDY

[ 30. March 2006, 20:32: Message edited by: Bender ]

Posted

So, is this T-ODP program really used, or is it a thin veil to cover the "who you know" system we all suspect goes on behind the scenes? I've been a reservist forever and know that system cold, but can't seem to find decent info on how the AD system works (spent many hours on the AFPC site and can view the jobs, but don't have the tools to find the best way to get the jobs that need me.....and will allow me to drink German beer). I may be heading back to AD soon and need to know how to work the system to my advantage. Any of you old craniums have any suggestions?

[ 30. March 2006, 20:45: Message edited by: Nanook ]

Posted
Originally posted by Mark1:

First lets define T-ODP for FNGs...

T-ODP stands for Transitional Officer Development Plan. Wasn't a big fan at first, but I kind of like it now. Any active duty AF can access it through the AMS website. It uses primarily drop down menus to select your assignment preferences.

First page asks real general stuff - are you considering Developmental Education? Are you eligible for command? What type of instructor would you want to be if tasked? Do you want Join Spouse?

Next page gets into specifically what you want to do in order of preference. I've got stuff like F-15E Ops Pilot, F-15E FTU Pilot, Exchange Pilot, Flying Staff Officer, ALO. Below that you have special duty preferences which you list even if you don't want - these include mostly non flying jobs.

Next page is desired locations - list up to your top ten along with whether you desire an oversea short/long tour.

The last page is your comments page where you include specifics on what you want to do for your next assignment, and what your overall career goals are. Your reviewer (commander) throws comments in like "this guy needs to go do XYZ because he's $hit hot"

While they only technically need to be done as you're facing an assignment, the recommendation is to always keep them up to speed with your future plans in case (as mentioned above) AFPC pops up with a tasking you might actually want.

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