Airmen have posibilities when it comes to cross training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Jones
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  First-term Airmen looking to stay blue, but not necessarily as part of their current Air Force specialty, have the opportunity to fulfill their personal desires as well as help the Air Force meet its needs through the Career Airman Reenlistment Reservation System or CAREERS.

The CAREERS program gives first-term Airmen a chance to retrain into an Air Force specialty that has a need for additional manpower.

"It's an opportunity for people to explore different careers for personal development and growth or to increase skill sets," said Master Sgt. Steven Mullens, Incirlik's Career Assistance Advisor. "But at the same time, it's also used to balance the force by giving to career fields that need bodies."

The retraining window for four-year enlistees is between 35 and 43 months time in service and for six-year enlistees it's between 59 and 67 months. However, at an overseas location like Incirlik, the retraining window shifts.

"If you're overseas, the retraining window is 15 to nine months prior to an Airmen's DEROS as long as they enter their normal retraining window prior to PCS," said Sergeant Mullens.

For example, a four-year enlistee assigned to Incirlik for an unaccompanied tour with at least 21 months time in service would enter their retraining window upon arrival, according to the Career Assistance Advisor.

"This happens to allow the assignment system to work properly," said Sergeant Mullens.

One popular misconception about CAREERS is that first-term Airmen are guaranteed a retrain under the program.

"While an Airmen's chances of retraining are better under CAREERS than other programs, nothing is guaranteed except the opportunity to retrain," said Sergeant Mullens.

While Airmen pursue retraining opportunities for various reasons, Sergeant Mullens urges Airmen who are on Career Job Reservation waiting lists to seriously consider looking into retraining.

"If their CJR comes through, they can withdraw their retraining package," he said. "At least by exploring retraining they may have something to fall back on if they don't receive a CJR."

The retraining application process is now completely automated. Airmen can begin the process by visiting the virtual Military Personnel Flight and clicking on the retraining button on the left side of the page.

For additional information on CAREERS, visit the Team Incirlik Career Enhancement Community of Practice at https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/ASPs/CoP/OpenCoP.asp?Filter=OO-DP-FE-05.