Force management programs impact Team Vance

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VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  "It is a tense time to be a member of the U.S. Air Force if you are planning on a career," said Senior Master Sgt. Johnny Horton, the career assistance advisor at Vance Air Force Base.

Enlisted and officers at Vance are facing a variety of programs designed to reduce Air Force manning by as much as 25,000 Airmen over the next five years.

Despite a congressional budget deal that lessens the impact of sequestration on the Air Force, it doesn't go far enough to halt actions to shrink the service, senior service officials said.

According to a recent Air Force News Service release, Under Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning and Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the Air Force chief of staff, said that even with some relief from sequestration, the service will still have to reduce its force structure and sacrifice modernization and readiness.

"The difference from years past is that we announced voluntary programs first, then involuntary," said Lt. Gen. Samuel Cox, the deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services. "This year, due to the limited timeframe, we're announcing all programs at once to allow Airmen time to consider their options and ensure their personnel records are up to date."

"This is the first time I have seen so many programs going at the same time," said Horton.

The two big ones that affect both officers and enlisted are the Temporary Early Retirement Authority and the Voluntary Separation Pay.

TERA encourages those in over-manned career fields, with more than 15 but less than 20 years of service to retire early. Retirement pay will be based on years of service.

VSP offers those with at last six and less than 20 years of service a one-time payment, with no retirement benefits, to leave active duty.

"Everyone at Vance that is eligible for TERA has been, or will be notified," said Horton. "But just because you were identified as eligible for one of the programs, doesn't mean you will be selected."

As each program is fine-tuned, the number of Airmen affected is constantly changing. "We send out revised eligibility rosters as we receive them," said Lt. Col. Jodi Riley, the 71st Force Support Squadron commander at Vance AFB.

Horton tries to stay in tune with all professional development and changes for the enlisted force to better serve Team Vance. He urges all active-duty folks to be very familiar with "myPers," the secure link entry point into Air Force personnel services, www.mypers.af.mil.

"It's important, especially if you're directly affected by one of these force management programs, to go read the information yourself in myPers," said Horton. "It isn't good to accept the word of those who think they know but may not have the facts exactly right."

One thing is certain - some members of Team Vance will see big changes in their lives.

"With the current challenges of force reduction, I've had a number of members - and spouses -- needing to talk," said Paula Nevius, the Vance AFB Military Family Life counselor.

Big changes in career expectations can be very emotionally overwhelming, said Nevius. "Service members and their families are feeling anger and sadness... symptoms of grief." Those symptoms include loss of or anticipated loss of identity, security, anticipated career; and the fear of the unknown.

Nevius is available at the Airman & Family Readiness Center. Appointments can be held on or off base, are confidential, private and no records are kept. To make an appointment, call 580-747-8056. For children wanting to speak with a counselor, call 747-9913.

The A&FRC conducts Transition Assistance Program classes for military members retiring or separating from the Air Force. Normally, the once-a-month classes are limited to 15 people and are held at the center.

In response to the impact of force management programs, the A&FRC expanded the class size and moved it to the Vance Collocated Club.

"We had to increase the class size to 40 and move to the Vance Club to meet the current need," said Tech. Sgt. Amy Snyder, the NCO in charge at the A&FRC. "The March class is nearing capacity and April is half full."

Military members within two years of retirement and one year of normal separation are highly encouraged to attend TAP. The class offers valuable transition skills as well as information on Veterans Affairs benefits. As of November 2013, TAP is mandatory, with few exceptions, for retirees.

The center also conducts mandatory pre-separation briefings given several times each week. The pre-separation briefing must be completed prior to attending TAP.

To make reservations for either TAP or the pre-separation briefing, call 213-6330.

Several organizations work together to keep an eye on the emotional pulse of those affected by the force management programs.

Members of the 71st Medical Operations Squadron's Mental Health Clinic and Services' Fitness Center set aside time on Fridays to visit 71st Security Forces Squadron locations. According to Senior Airman Danielle Jamison, a mental health technician, they want to keep an eye on resiliency in the squadron.

Chaplain (Capt.) Jon Bravinder said the three groups at Vance each have a chaplain and a chaplain's assistant that visits regularly. "We want to make sure everyone on base can recognize a member of the Chapel team by face," he said.

"There is a lot of anxiety about the future," Chaplain Bravinder said. "It is on people's minds and they need to know they are not alone. We are here to help."

The chapel team is available at 213-7211.