ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- The Air Force is experiencing a shortfall in the FY23 Military Personnel Appropriation driven by higher-than-projected personnel costs.
Headquarters Air Force is directing actions to be taken now to avoid exhausting funds. AFPC is currently approving permanent change of station orders for Airmen with projected departure dates in July.
Officials from the 66th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Flight at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, are currently working to assist service members here with orders dated July through October.
“Our team has a roster of all those who are due to PCS between now and Nov. 1,” said Marcus Parks, 66 FSS MPF Career Development Flight chief. “We will be reaching out to them individually to work through the process and any specific circumstances, such as Exceptional Family Member Program or mandatory mover signifiers, that may impact their situation.”
For all other Airmen awaiting PCS orders with projected departure dates of August or later, orders are being reviewed and approved on a priority basis. Some PCS order authentications will be delayed.
Effective July 11, 2023, the Air Force will suspend the FY23 selective reenlistment bonus program but will allow Airmen who would have been eligible after the deadline to extend their current enlistment into fiscal year 2024. This allows most Airmen to still access an SRB program with the FY23 rules until the FY24 program starts. Airmen who reach their maximum extensions by law on their enlistment can also be accommodated through constructive re-enlistment. Airmen should be on the lookout for AFPC messaging and work with their servicing MPF.
The Air Force is also temporarily pausing the Aviation Bonus program that opened on June 6, 2023, to restructure the program to continue offering bonuses to aviators. Within the next 14 days, the Air Force expects to reopen a restructured AvB, at which time officers who did not already elect to sign the AvB contract will be able to do so as long as funds remain.
Additionally, the Air Force is pausing new Assignment Incentive Pay; this includes Airmen signing contracts or initiating new pay at non-contract locations until the beginning of FY24. Airmen already receiving AIP will continue to receive that pay.
Finally, Airmen on overseas long tours with a DEROS between October – December 2023 will have their DEROS extended to January – March 2024
AFPC will continue to prioritize and authenticate orders for mandatory moves and will consider ETP requests on a case-by-case basis.
The Air Force continues to work through additional options to avoid the funding shortfall and will provide more information when available.
Senior 66th Air Base Group leaders are encouraging Airmen to work through the 66 FSS MPF and their chains of command for related concerns.
“Our 66 ABG MPF is working to ensure timely and streamlined communication to personnel who may be impacted,” said Chief Master Sgt. Alan Weary. “We ask that members work through their leaders to elevate or route hardships or exception to the policy.”
To contact the 66 FSS MPF, email 66FSS.fspd.milcareerdev@us.af.mil, or call 781-225-1340.
Airmen can also call the Total Force Service Center at 210-565-0102, or toll-free at 800-525-0102.
*Editor’s Note: These actions will not affect Space Force Guardian PCS moves, bonuses and special pay.
(Editor’s Note: This article was localized for Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.)