MPF holds force shaping briefings Published Oct. 13, 2006 By 1st Lt. Amy Cooper 16 SOW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla -- The 16th Mission Support Squadron Military Personnel Flight held two briefings in the base theater Oct. 5 to answer Airmen's questions about the fiscal year 2007 Force Shaping initiatives. The 2007 initiatives announced in July are primarily aimed at the officer corps, which needs to be drawn down by 9,200 to achieve the required balance in force, according to Air Force officials. Enlisted numbers must be drawn down by approximately 32,000 Airmen in the coming years. However, instead of meeting end-strength numbers in FY 11 as originally planned, the measures have been accelerated so the Air Force can meet its desired end-strength by FY 09, said Maj. Tom Robbins, 16th MSS MPF commander. The briefings here drew more than 200 Airmen, ranging from airmen first class to colonels, many who had questions about the different initiatives. One of the initiatives discussed was the Selective Early Retirement board, aimed at retiring line officer lieutenant colonels twice deferred for promotion or colonels with four years time in grade who are not general officer selects. Officers eligible for the board have been notified. "If you haven't heard anything yet, you won't be facing the board," said Major Robbins. He added that it's possible there will be enough O-6s who voluntary retire that a board may not be necessary for them. It's not quite as likely for the O-5 candidates. The second program, Voluntary Separation Pay, offers Air Force line officers, including judge advocates and chaplains with more than six and no more than exactly 12 years service, the opportunity to separate prior to retirement with compensation. Certain undermanned Air Force specialty codes are not eligible. However, even though officers may not be eligible this week, they might be next week, as the numbers change daily, said Major Robbins. Another Force Shaping Board will be held in FY 07 in order to reduce the officers in the FY 03/04 commissioning year groups in overage career fields by about 930 people. In the same July announcement, officials said the enlisted force is on target for 2007. However, enlisted Airmen should actively pursue the career job reservation, which limits re-enlistments into the career force by constraining AFSCs for first-term Airmen in specified AFSCs. For more information, go to www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/retsep/forceshaping/shape.htm. 16th MSS contacts are: SERB: Maj. Tom Robbins, 884-2727 VSP: 2nd Lt. Terrell Tillery, 884-2703 CJR: Staff Sgt. Lynn Smith, 884-2710 Any retirement initiative: Master Sgt Jackie Takac, 884-5370 Palace Chase: Reserve, Master Sgt. Adam Waldie, 884-2656 Air National Guard, Master Sgt. T. Lyn Moore, 884-2729 Civil Service Opportunities: 16th MSS Civilian Personnel Office, 884-6161. For the Army's Blue to Green program, call DSN 221-3467.