Thursday, November 29, 2007

TOP STORY >>Officials announce new selective reenlistment bonus list

WASHINGTON (AFPN) — Following a selective reenlistment bonus review, Pentagon officials have released the latest SRB list, effective Dec. 15, containing 43 Air Force specialties.

“Our SRB analysis process proved invaluable, and we were able to modify the list to apply bonuses to our most critical needs,” said Senior Master Sgt. Douglas Byrd, manager of enlisted force management at the Pentagon. “Balancing the enlisted force is a constant challenge, and the SRB is the most effective program we employ to retain our number one priority...our Airmen.

“The SRB analysis process objectively identifies SRB candidates and recommends the best allocation of funds while staying within budgetary constraints,” said Sergeant Byrd.

The process, which also includes a “human-in-the-loop” review, ensures the right skills are targeted with the most cost-effective multiples. All enlisted skills were reviewed. The new program has about the same budget — approximately $46M — as the previous program, which necessitated careful application of Air Force dollars to shore up critical AFSCs. As a result, Air Force officials will offer bonuses to Airmen in 43 specialties versus 37 previously.

The criteria used to determine which enlisted skills will remain on or be added to the SRB list include current and projected manning levels, retention trends, career field force structure changes and career field stress level. Bonuses are authorized in 0.5 increments, or multiples, and in three re-enlistment zones for people with 17 months to 14 years of service. The Air Force also is testing a fourth zone, Zone E SRB for explosive ordnance disposal Airmen with 18 to 20 years of service.

“After careful analysis and consultation with career field managers, we added 15 zones, 22 zones increased, 75 zones remained unchanged, 18 zones decreased and 9 zones were removed,” said Sergeant Byrd. “While these changes do not take any money out of our Airmen’s pockets, they will affect how much those who are re-enlisting in the future will receive.

Some Airmen will receive higher bonuses under this new program while others will receive lower or no bonuses, compared to those in their specialty who re-enlisted under the previous program.

To view the SRB list, visit the http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/ and type “SRB” in the search box, then select the “Updated — List of Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs) Receiving Selective Reenlistment Bonuses (SRBs).”

For more information, contact local military personnel flight reenlistment offices or the 24/7 Air Force Contact Center at (800) 616-3775 if you have questions regarding the SRB.

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