Some enlisted airmen in 122 jobs are now eligible to extend their high-year tenure for another year or two, the Air Force said in a Monday release.

The so-called "up or out" rules mean that airmen have to leave the service if they don't get promoted within a certain time period.

The Air Force is trying to rebuild its force after the steep drawdown of 2014 and the increased demands of the continuing wars against the Islamic State and in Afghanistan. Last May, Brig. Gen. Brian Kelly, director of military force management policy, announced high-year tenure extensions for a few hundred airmen in 35 career fields as part of that effort.

Kelly said last year that the Air Force is trying to recruit more young airmen, but that it will take years before they are fully trained. So in the meantime, the Air Force wants to hold on to experienced airmen through high-year tenure extensions and other programs such as expanded selective re-enlistment bonuses.

But the newly-announced extensions for fiscal 2016 and 2017 represent a vast expansion of the program from last year.

Career fields such as 1C4X1 Tactical Air Control Party, 1C2X1 combat control and 1T2X1 pararescue, which were eligible last year, remain on the new list of eligible jobs.

Newly added to the list are jobs such as 1A0X1 in-flight refueling, 1N3X1 crypto language analysts who speak Russian, Persion or Urdu, 2F0X1 fuels, 2W0X1 munitions systems and 2W1X1 aircraft armament systems.

The list of eligible career fields was not immediately available, but they will be open to senior airmen through master sergeants in these career fields.

Eligible airmen are now able to apply through May 31, 2017. The Air Force said that eligible airmen who will hit their high-year tenure this month should apply as soon as possible if they wish to extend their service.

Airmen with a high-year tenure in March, April or May should apply at least 30 days before they hit their limit. All others should submit their requests at least 120 days before hitting their limits, the Air Force said.

The new list of eligible jobs, along with eligible ranks, can be found here.

Follow @StephenLosey

Stephen Losey covers personnel, promotions, and the Air Force Academy for Air Force Times. He can be reached at slosey@airforcetimes.com.

Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.

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