when do air force assignments drop

Subscribe Now (Opens in new window)

Your Air Force

Pentagon & Congress
Army Times (Opens in new window)
Marine Corps Times (Opens in new window)
Navy Times (Opens in new window)
Defense News (Opens in new window)
Flashpoints
Benefits Guide (Opens in new window)
Military Pay Center
Military Retirement
VA Loan Center (Opens in new window)
Military Benefits
Discount Depot
Military Culture
Military Fitness
Gear Scout (Opens in new window)
Military Movies & Video Games
Military Sports
Transition Guide (Opens in new window)
Military History
Black Military History (Opens in new window)
Congressional Veterans Caucus (Opens in new window)
Military Appreciation Month (Opens in new window)
Vietnam Vets & Rolling Thunder (Opens in new window)
Hall of Valor (Opens in new window)
Service Members of the Year (Opens in new window)
Create an Obituary (Opens in new window)
Pay It Forward (Opens in new window)
Medals & Misfires
Installation Guide (Opens in new window)
Battle Bracket
Task Force Violent
CFC Givers Guide
Photo Galleries
Early Bird Brief
Long-Term Care Partners
Navy Federal
Newsletters (Opens in new window)
Digital Edition (Opens in new window)

Here’s how the Air Force could change its job assignment process

Air Force leaders are sifting through a list of proposed changes to how airmen are assigned new jobs, and may announce some updates by the end of September.

After about a year at work, a panel of airmen from across the service has floated more than 90 suggestions for assignment reform. Now it’s up to the Air Force’s personnel branch, the Air Force’s top enlisted leader and other officials to bring some of them to fruition.

The recommendations are part of an overarching effort to improve quality of life and career opportunities across the force.

How airmen are assigned jobs gets a fresh look from new Air Force panel

A new air force panel will rethink how the service assigns troops to new jobs, chief master sergeant of the air force joanne bass said monday..

“We’ve got to start to change some of our assignment policies to mirror what today’s military family looks like,” said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass in an exclusive Sept. 6 interview.

Their ideas fall into three broad categories: policy changes that cost nothing; changes that require funding, possibly software and other resources; and wider-ranging updates that will take more time to flesh out.

For instance, while the Air Force tries to station two active duty spouses in the same place, it never created a similar policy on how to assign jobs to couples with one active duty airman and one Reservist or Guardsman.

That’s “kind of crazy,” Bass said. “That’s an easy fix.”

Air Force to end preferred basing for enlisted as it changes how airmen find new jobs

The "base of preference" program's last day is may 31..

The Air Force could also change how it considers airmen for emergency transfer to another base, such as sexual assault victims trying to get away from their abuser.

“There shouldn’t be any calculus,” Bass said. “I don’t care how long somebody’s been ‘time on station.’ We’ve got to expedite people and allow them to be able to transfer out of their duty station.”

Among the more complicated proposals is a suggestion to rethink how long airmen should live at each base.

“Are short tours and long tours and standard tours appropriate for today’s force?” Bass said. “What might have been considered a hardship tour 15 or 20 years ago may not be a hardship tour [now], and it doesn’t need to be a short tour.”

Short overseas postings such as at Morón Air Base, Spain, or Pápa AB, Hungary, can last one to two years. Long postings can last three or four years in places like the United Kingdom or Japan.

Air Force extends first-term, unaccompanied tours at some overseas duty stations to 36 months

The change is designed to give the service member additional time to train with the unit, along with greater “stability," the air force said..

In February, then-Air Force personnel boss Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly told House lawmakers that enlisted airmen spend just over four years at installations in the continental United States on average, while officers spend about three years at each base.

Bass argues it’s time to reconsider how long airmen remain at stateside bases. She’s open to the idea of standardizing the length of those postings, and offering extensions to people who request them — as happens for assignments abroad.

“Perhaps if it’s a win to the airman and it’s a win to the Air Force to keep that member there for another year or two years, allow our command teams to … take a look at that,” she said.

Airmen don’t necessarily have to stay in the same job if they want to remain at a particular base. If a slot is open and they meet the requirements, the Air Force can move someone into a new unit at their current base or one nearby to maintain some stability.

The service is also trying to make job opportunities more transparent and accessible so airmen can better explore their options. At the same time, it wants more flexibility to move people around — or not — as needed.

A bearish manpower outlook means the Air Force has to plan ahead to avoid stretching the force even thinner.

“We really have to be thoughtful [about], how do we keep talent on the table five years from now, 10 years from now, 15 years from now?” Bass said. “Assignments matter to people.”

Rachel Cohen is the editor of Air Force Times. She joined the publication as its senior reporter in March 2021. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Frederick News-Post (Md.), Air and Space Forces Magazine, Inside Defense, Inside Health Policy and elsewhere.

In Other News

Pentagon needs to wake up on troops’ lack of sleep, watchdog says

A new gao study found that defense department leaders aren't doing enough to address sleep deprivation among troops..

Army investigating social media post showing Nazi symbol

The army opened an investigation after a national guard unit posted a photo online that contained a symbol worn by nazi ss troops..

VA patient numbers jump after efforts to improve medical access

Veterans affairs medical sites saw their patient numbers spike after a five-month effort to improve access and delivery of health care..

That time British sailors sang Monty Python as their ship burned

Always look on the bright side of life..

Fight over VA toxic exposure funds could stall other vets legislation

Lawmakers are sparring over proposed changes to a fund covering the costs of veterans' toxic exposure benefits..

Cover Letters
Jobs I've Applied To
Saved Searches
Subscriptions
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
Space Force
Military Podcasts
Benefits Home
Military Pay and Money
Veteran Health Care
VA eBenefits
Veteran Job Search
Military Skills Translator
Upload Your Resume
Veteran Employment Project
Vet Friendly Employers
Career Advice
Military Life Home
Military Trivia Game
Veterans Day
Spouse & Family
Military History
Discounts Home
Featured Discounts
Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts
Electronics
Join the Military Home
Contact a Recruiter
Military Fitness

AF Changes Assignment Process

All assignments for enlisted Airmen in the ranks of senior master sergeant and below and officers, lieutenant colonel and below, will now go to unit commanders through their Military Personnel Flights seven days before the official notification to Airmen. The seven-day window also allows for discussion of the Airman’s professional development path and the assignment timing for their family. Also, the new step permits delivery of the assignment notification face-to-face to ensure the commander has full awareness. For more information, visit the active duty enlisted or officer Assignments pages on myPers from a CAC-enabled computer.

For complete guides to military bases around the country, visit the Military.com Base Guide .

Select Service

National Guard

When do assignments drop? : r/AirForce
The primary mission of the Air Force is carried out by regular units doing regular stuff. Officer assignments are totally different from enlisted assignments, officers get hand selected and hand picked, and have proportionally about 10 x more people working on the assignments process.
Assignment
The Assignment Management System (AMS) is a web application that houses multiple applications in support of officer assignments, enlisted assignments, commander responsibilities, and individual Air Force members. Users have access to a portion of their own personnel data and the ability to use manning tools, volunteer for available assignments, and review career field information using AMS.
How airmen are assigned jobs gets a fresh look from new Air Force panel
Apr 19, 2021. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass says the Air Force wants to make the assignment process more flexible and transparent. (William Birchfield/Air Force) A new Air ...
Here's how the Air Force could change its job assignment process
Here's how the Air Force could change its job assignment process. By Rachel S. Cohen. Sep 14, 2022. Senior Airman Andres Espinoza, 31st Maintenance Squadron egress journeyman, pins a canopy ...
Air Force's Enlisted Swap Assignment Program starts June 1
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- Announced at the September 2022 Air and Space Forces Association's Air, Space and Cyber Conference, the Air Force Enlisted Swap Assignment Program goes live June 1 for senior master sergeants and below with a current assignment. This new policy provides Airmen with more control and new flexibilities in their assignment process.
PDF Department of The Air Force
By order of the Secretary of the Air Force, this Department of the Air Force Guidance Memorandum (DAFGM) immediately implements changes to DAFI 36-2110, Total Force Assignments. Compliance with this guidance memorandum is mandatory. To the extent the guidance memorandum's directions are inconsistent with other Department of the Air Force
PLEASE READ ALL THE FAQs...
Air Force Personnel Center ... CONUS Returnees should have assignments drop the first week of February. Which assignment you receive will depend on which one gets input into the system first. Q7. What about those of us with a Code 50. A7. At this time, Code 50 personnel will continue to be eligible to volunteer for a BOP 9 to 12-months prior to ...
AF Changes Assignment Process
Air Force unit commanders will now review assignments for certain ranks seven days before the official notification to Airmen.
Two-cycle officer assignment system means more time for Airmen
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- In a move toward a more efficient and transparent process, the Air Force's Personnel Center is transitioning the Air Force Officer Assignment System from three to two cycles.This modification will allow more time for interaction and communication between officers, billet owners, commanders and assignment teams.
CONUS EQUAL Cycle Opening...
CONUS EQUAL Cycle Opening Soon!! The Assignment Cycle for: -> Enlisted Overseas Returnee -> CONUS Mandatory Mover -> CONUS Assignment Cycle --> Opens Jan. 9th. If you are in cycle, go to AMS by...
Details on the current EQUAL...
Air Force Personnel Center. February 7, 2018 ·. Details on the current EQUAL Schedule for Overseas Assignment and Overseas Returnee/Mandatory Movers are available via myPers.af.mil ->Enlisted->Assignment->Overseas EQUAL Returnee Assignment Schedule or Overseas EQUAL Schedule. The Next voluntary assignment application dates are Mar 4 for the ...
[Question] How long does it take to get orders? : r/AirForce
Usually assignments will start dropping 1-2 weeks after the list closes; so if the list closes on Friday the 11th, you can expect them to potentially start dropping on the weekend of the 18th. Though, they have up until about the middle of the following month to get them all out if they so choose. They will notify you by whatever email you have ...
Overseas returnee, CONUS mandatory movers' assignment ...
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for Airmen returning from overseas and continental United States mandatory movers from August through October will be available April 11. Airmen can work through their military personnel flight or their commander's support staff to update their preferences.
Air Force opens enlisted DSD assignments at AFROTC detachments
The Air Force Specialty Code 8B300 will be included in the Air Force Enlisted Classification Directory to be published on Oct. 31, 2021. It will detail eligibility criteria and application requirements for fall 2022 reporting dates. Airmen with questions before applying can email the 8B300 special duty manager.
Assignment flow question : r/AirForce
Assignments for this cycle flow in March as in notifications are sent out to your CC and then a week later, you. If your DEROS is June of this year, you're like 2 cycles (last August) too late to stay overseas.. Honestly, you should have received your assignment already. Typically, assignments are released one week after the listing closes, so ...
Out of cycle assignment timeline? : r/AirForce
This was covered in the DEROs option RIP which is issued 12 months out from your DEROS. If you don't have retainability, then your DEROS will become your DOS. You must have 12 months retainability to get a PCS to CONUS (I think). If you get retainability at the very last minute, I believe you'll be eligible for the next rotation of OCONUS ...
Overseas list closes soon....when do assignments start dropping?
Officially the notification date is Sep 15th, but I know most of them drop long before then. Usually around 2 weeks after close-out os what I've been seeing. I believe if you haven't found out by Sep 15th.. you're more than likely not getting picked up. We got notification 2 weeks after the list closed out.