July extension given to seek separation pay - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

July extension given to seek separation pay

Eligible officers now have until July 31 to apply for voluntary separation pay, a one-month extension from the previous deadline, the Air Force announced Monday.

However, those who apply between July 1 and July 31 will receive just 1½ times the authorized separation pay. Those who apply before July 1 are eligible for two times their authorized separation pay.

“The window to apply for two times separation pay is rapidly closing,” Col. Joan Garbutt, director of force management policy at the Pentagon, said in a statement. “Unlike the past, we will not increase the multiplier, therefore we highly encourage [Reduction in Force]-eligible officers to act before June 30 to take advantage of the current rate.”

The Air Force on April 1 began accepting VSP applications from eligible officers. So far, more than 240 eligible officers have been approved for voluntary separation.

This group includes officers commissioned in 1998-1999 and 2002-2004 in the grades of major and below with more than six and fewer than 14 years of commissioned service. They belong to nine Air Force specialties and are being considered to face the 2010 Reduction in Force Board that convenes Sept. 20.

The move is part of the Air Force’s expanded force management measures announced March 25. Nearly 6,000 active-duty airmen — enlisted and officers — will be cut in the next two years to allow the Air Force to return to its congressionally mandated end-strength of 332,200 by fiscal 2012.

VSP is paid in a lump sum and for officers who apply before July 1 it is worth twice the involuntary separation payment that is based on an officer’s rank and years of service. For example, a major with 12 years of service will qualify for about $188,500.

Officers in the vulnerable specialties who do not take the VSP could find themselves in front of the RIF board and then told to leave the service. However, the board will not be convened if enough officers — 585 — volunteer to exit. Officers told to leave by the board qualify for involuntary separation pay.

The nine Air Force specialties affected by this are space and missile (13S), weather (15W), aircraft maintenance (21A), cyber operations (17D), force support (38F), chaplains with the exception of Catholic chaplains (52R), behavioral science/human factors scientist (61B), chemist/biologist (61C), and financial management (65F).

For more information on VSP eligibility and application procedures, visit the Air Force Personnel Center personnel services website, http://gum.afpc.randolph.af.mil, or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.