A pararescueman from the 38th Rescue Squadron prepares his weapon during a rescue exercise at Bemiss Field landing zone, Ga., June 21, 2017. The Air Force career field 1T2X1 pararescue is one of 106 jobs projected to have shortages and eligible for airmen to apply for high-year of tenure extensions. (Daniel Snider/U.S. Air Force)
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Enlisted airmen from 106 career fields may be granted up to an additional two years to get promoted before being involuntarily separated from the Air Force, according to a service memo released last week.
The Air Force’s high-year of tenure extension program is an effort to meet congressionally mandated end strength targets after a drawdown in 2014 caused significant shortages in certain Air Force specialties and grades.
Last year’s program allowed airmen from 122 jobs to apply for extensions, a significant increase from 35 eligible career fields in 2015.
The Air Force policy commonly known as “up or out” dictates that airmen have a set time to make the next rank before being involuntarily separated. If an extension is approved, airmen remain promotion-eligible and their high-year of tenure dates adjust accordingly.
The extension program could mean a longer career for some airmen and the retention of experienced workers for the Air Force as it rebuilds.
The program is open to active-duty airmen from the specified career fields and grades with high-year of tenure dates of Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2018. The application window will be open through May 31, 2018.
Potentially eligible airmen will be notified by email on or about Tuesday.
Airmen with a high-year of tenure date in October must submit an application immediately and be approved prior to their current tenure date, the memo said.
To see a list of the Air Force specialties and grades and complete application requirements, airmen can follow the links on the Mypers.af.mil “Fiscal Year (FY) 17/18 High Year of Tenure Extension Program” posting.
