MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Thanks to the Internet, the Air Force is making it easier for Airmen to take an active role in their Air Force career paths.
Since Sept. 5, Airmen have been responsible for updating their own assignment preferences online through the virtual Military Personnel Flight.
While completing the assignment preference sheet themselves doesn't guarantee Airmen a position at their first requested location, Capt. Todd Ladd, 62nd Mission Support Squadron said it does give them a say in the process.
Additionally, by putting the assignment preferences online, one step is being taken out of the process, easing the workload of support staffs a bit, he said.
"Now they can do it on their own and at their own convenience," Capt. Ladd said.
Previously, Airmen had to visit the Military Personnel Flight or commander's support staff to have their assignment preferences updated, said Capt. Ladd.
In another move to streamline processes, the Air Force has also added the Selective Reenlistment and Career Job Reservation programs to the vMPF.
The automated Selective Reenlistment Program will now e-mail commanders a monthly roster notifying them of Airmen slated for reenlistment. Commanders can then choose whether or not to make Airmen ineligible for reenlistment based on quality force standards. Upon processing of the subsequent month roster, those Airmen who meet the requirements will automatically be made eligible for reenlistment.
Thirty days after the commander receives the SRP roster, the system will also automatically request a CJR for eligible Airmen who are in the first month of their CJR eligibility window.
The new process makes everything run smoother for commanders, said Captain Ladd.
"It takes less time, there are fewer chances for mistakes and there's just an overall better flow," he said.
The switch to the new process eliminates the possibility of eligible Airmen missing the window to apply for a CJR due to a deployment or other personal reasons.
"Before, Airmen had to initiate it on their own," said Senior Airman Kasie Spearman, 62nd Mission Support Squadron, who works in reenlistments and extensions. "Now it's all automated and all they need to do is make sure that they've been selected for reenlistment."
Captain Ladd said that while Airmen still need to do a reenlistment contract and get a projected reenlistment date, the automated process should make things easier for everyone.
"It alleviates some of the stress and headaches that go along with continuing down the career field," he said. "Airmen can focus more on their mission."