FY 14 Force Management Program (RIF, VSP, TERA)

[Crewdog135]

Well, here's hoping I see you guys in an airline training class soon. As it is, I'd just like to know one way or the other. I'll give them until the first week in March to let me know, then I'll bug the hell out of them. I mean, if they want us out 1Aug they owe us an answer sooner rather than later. And yes, I said owe. That's just common courtesy (yeah, yeah. I know. I don't expect it).

[FBomb]

Excerpt from new article on af.mil w/SecAF's perspective on force management:

"She feels the Air Force’s No. 1 priority, above aircraft, weapons or equipment, is its people. 'Having the right people in the right job at the right time, who are trained and developed should be our number one priority.' The Secretary added that, 'taking care of people means to me recruiting, retaining and reshaping our force, so that we have the right people in the right jobs for the immediate future, as well as thinking ahead to the longer term. We are going to be smaller. We will be going through a force-shaping set of procedures, which will include mostly voluntary measures. We may do some involuntary as well, but this will be a big deal over the next year or two.' "

https://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/473409/secaf-outlines-top-priorities-during-state-of-af-address.aspx

Edited February 25, 2014 by FBomb

[Champ Kind]

Oh... now it's a year "or two".

[olevelo]

I may be missing something, but for the twice passed over folks, why would they offer TERA instead of just non-continuing them? Wouldn't that allow the AF to just cut ties with a minimal payout?

[MSCguy]

I may be missing something, but for the twice passed over folks, why would they offer TERA instead of just non-continuing them? Wouldn't that allow the AF to just cut ties with a minimal payout?

Because of the shit storm that happened in 2011 when the AF cut loose a bunch of twice passed over majors. As posted in another forum somewhere on here continuation is normally offered to officers twice passed over within five years of twenty. It's cheaper to let the passed over dudes retire at 15 or 16 than continue them to 20, and also cheaper than possibly defending a huge class action lawsuit.

[Mish_Hacker]

Anybody else applying for VSP still at "Referred to Sq CC"?

[olevelo]

But if you're non-continued, you just get seperation pay (similar to RIF pay) right? The lawsuit from a couple years ago, I never heard they actually won that? So surely the AF doesn't really care about the black eye, as long as it gets the numbers down as cheaply as possible.

[Rusty Pipes]

Iiiiiiiiiiiiineresting. This certainly aligns with my belief that the selectively continued officers' eligibility clause means Big Blue really doesn't want us passed-over folks around.

Well... except for the fact that every one of them that I know who was a continued pilot and applied when the window was opened has already been denied TERA. Apparently there is one of those pilot shortage things going on... cue Butters.

[aston.martin]

Yeah me too...god damn it.

In other news this came out FSS:

Important guidance regarding TERA (as I'm reading this, if you're twice passed over don't expect to be contined but you will be allowed to apply for retirement):

As outlined in the FY14 Force Management program, the Secretary of the Air Force has authorized Temporary Early Retirement Authority, or TERA, to those members eligible to apply. As the CY14 Promotion Board schedule begins, TERA will be available as a part of post-board actions. If a member is a two-time non-select for promotion, is not offered selective continuation,

and is TERA-eligible, they will be given the opportunity to apply for TERA after the public release of the promotion listing. Specific instructions will be included in their non-select letter. The Retirement Date associated with this targeted TERA window will be the mandatory DOS established by the board (1st day of the 7th month following approval of results by USD P&R).

Very interesting news. If you don't mind me asking, what is the source? Was this sent out via e-mail?

[Butters]

Update: that LtCol in my SQ was approved for TERA..

Well, on 17 Jan someone was approved. I know a passed over Nav that was approved, so they are not denying them all. I think they want to see how may they can separate that do not have ADSCs before they approve guys with one.

[pawnman]

Excerpt from new article on af.mil w/SecAF's perspective on force management:

"She feels the Air Force’s No. 1 priority, above aircraft, weapons or equipment, is its people. 'Having the right people in the right job at the right time, who are trained and developed should be our number one priority.' The Secretary added that, 'taking care of people means to me recruiting, retaining and reshaping our force, so that we have the right people in the right jobs for the immediate future, as well as thinking ahead to the longer term. We are going to be smaller. We will be going through a force-shaping set of procedures, which will include mostly voluntary measures. We may do some involuntary as well, but this will be a big deal over the next year or two.' "

https://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/473409/secaf-outlines-top-priorities-during-state-of-af-address.aspx

Our number 1 priority is people. That's why we're getting rid of 25,000 of them.

Anyone else feeling just a tad cynical about the prospects of "applying for TERA" if you are passed over? I mean, it doesn't say "will be automatically approved for TERA".

[Techsan]

Very interesting news. If you don't mind me asking, what is the source? Was this sent out via e-mail?

Yes...I saw it today.

[Rusty Pipes]

Well, on 17 Jan someone was approved. I know a passed over Nav that was approved, so they are not denying them all. I think they want to see how may they can separate that do not have ADSCs before they approve guys with one.

I have heard of a continued Nav or two approved, but haven't heard of any pilots approved for TERA although I'm sure there are a few out there. I know the whole first batch of guys who applied when the window opened were denied because the Retirements office at AFPC didn't even know that Continued types were eligible... geniuses. I know another example of a pilot (not continued) who was just denied TERA with 19+ yrs because he had 1 month left on an ADSC for training. If they won't approve TERA for a pilot with over 19 yrs due to 1 month left on an ADSC I have no idea who they are willing to let go. I guess they don't really save anything by letting someone retire at 19 yrs and 9 months, but that one seems like a no-brainer. Anyone else hear of any weird cases like this one?

[Mountain]

The Nav or two you mention are the first I've heard of actually getting approved. There are lots of us just waiting to hear something. I'm still holding out hope that no news is good news.

[C-21.Pilot]

I got that email too from our execs here at Randolph.

originated from AFPC....

[Nasty2004]

I have heard of a continued Nav or two approved, but haven't heard of any pilots approved for TERA although I'm sure there are a few out there. I know the whole first batch of guys who applied when the window opened were denied because the Retirements office at AFPC didn't even know that Continued types were eligible... geniuses. I know another example of a pilot (not continued) who was just denied TERA with 19+ yrs because he had 1 month left on an ADSC for training. If they won't approve TERA for a pilot with over 19 yrs due to 1 month left on an ADSC I have no idea who they are willing to let go. I guess they don't really save anything by letting someone retire at 19 yrs and 9 months, but that one seems like a no-brainer. Anyone else hear of any weird cases like this one?

Why would someone apply for reduced retirement with a year to go? What bad deal could possibly come down between now and then?

[TarHeelPilot]

Line number

[Rusty Pipes]

Why would someone apply for reduced retirement with a year to go? What bad deal could possibly come down between now and then?

Line number, pending PCS, wife has a great job lined up, wife/kids live on the other side of the country, so kids can move before school starts, Chang just moved in next door... lots of valid reasons where the 49.69% retirement vs 50% makes more sense.

[C-21.Pilot]

Maybe I'm ignorant, and most would agree -- but why is line number a distractor.

This will be my situation -- will have a line number and should pin-on with 1 year to go before 20. Why would I need/want to get out at 19? I'm not familiar with a rank carrying an ADSC - but am familiar with the 3 yr rule to retire in the rank.

What am I missing.

[Butters]

What am I missing.

They are talking about your line number at the bankrupt airline that is going to pay you 30 cents on the dollar for the retirement you earned over X number of years. Edited February 26, 2014 by Butters

[chim richalds]

I'll take a bankrupt airline over a clown show like active duty has become

[flyjetz]

Why would someone apply for reduced retirement with a year to go? What bad deal could possibly come down between now and then?

Stop Loss

[jazzdude]

Isn't stop loss only authorized during a contingency? And isn't the war supposed to end this year?

As far as potential PCS, can't you just 7 day opt out?

Not trying to add fuel to the fire, just curious. I can see the line number argument or unique family situation as being factors. I'm nowhere near retirement and have no dependents, so just trying to get insight into the decision making process

[Rusty Pipes]

As far as potential PCS, can't you just 7 day opt out?

Not trying to add fuel to the fire, just curious. I can see the line number argument or unique family situation as being factors. I'm nowhere near retirement and have no dependents, so just trying to get insight into the decision making process

If you are current and qualified with enough hours to get hired by the bankrupt "Butters Air" and sitting at the 17-18 year point when you are offered an assignment you could either accept the assignment (along with the 2 yr PCS ADSC), 7 day opt and get nothing for your 18 yrs of service if you have no ADSC (you would obviously be insane to do this) or apply for TERA if you were eligible. You'd only get about 45% vs the full 50% for getting to 20 yrs, but would easily make up for that 5% difference with a line number 2 yrs earlier.

[HossHarris]

Before you 7-day opt you try to decline the additional adsc (for pcs). If they waive the adsc, then you have to 7-day opt