Canceled Bonuses, Delayed Moves: Air Force Cash Problems Trigger Cuts
Facing the prospect of running out of money in its personnel budget, the Air Force is pausing some duty assignments and reenlistment and retention bonuses, as well as extending some deployments.
CQ Brown Decries Hold On Nominations In Hearing To Head Joint Chiefs
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown avoided setting off any major fireworks during his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, maintaining his reputation as a nonpartisan officer.
As a Veteran, you deserve the best health care possible. But you may not always agree with decisions we make about your medical care or whether you are eligible for some types of care.
Here Are The Air Force Jobs Losing Special Duty Assignment Pay
By: Thomas Novelly, Military.com
Department of the Air Force officials have revealed which jobs are no longer eligible for a bonus meant to incentivize airmen to take on the most difficult roles in the service, after Military.com reported on the service's lack of transparency in not releasing the information to the public.
Last week, Military.com reported that the Air Force had repeatedly declined to list which jobs would no longer qualify for Special Duty Assignment Pay. The only way to view the revised list of jobs that qualify was to have a login for the Air Force's myForce Support Squadron, or myFSS, a web portal accessible only to service members -- meaning it was hidden from spouses, the media and government watchdogs.
On Tuesday, four days after Military.com's article, the Air Force revealed which jobs no longer qualify for Special Duty Assignment Pay. Last month, the Department of the Air Force announced that a newly formed board reviewed the special pay program and reduced the number of jobs that qualify for the bonus from 103 to 70 for fiscal year 2024.
Of the 70 jobs that were approved to receive Special Duty Assignment Pay, "four were initial requests that were certified for the first time, 48 were recertified at their current rate, 11 increased rate and seven decreased rate to maintain parity with specialties of similar duties, responsibilities and training,” according to the Air Force.
The bonus, which can range from $75 to $450 a month, is meant for those "who serve in duties which are extremely difficult," according to Air Force budget documents. Many service members choose to take on those jobs because of that extra money while formulating family budgets around the higher pay.
Here are the jobs that no longer qualify for Special Duty Assignment Pay:
President's Emergency Ops Center
Cryptologic Language Analyst
Electronic Security Systems
Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Exp Depot Mx
Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
361st Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group (ISRG)
Defense Couriers
31 Communication Squadron and 39 Communication Squadron NC3
Airborne Mission Systems Specialist -- Host Nation Riders
55th Operations Group Management Operator
336th Training Squadron & 98th DRA Aircrew Flight Equipment
Diagnostic Med Sonographer
Honor Guard
Air National Guard RPA Cyber Ops
Radar, Airfield & Weather Systems
Casualty Cell (next-of-kin notification)
Military Working Dog Handlers
A June 23 press release from the Department of the Air Force said the board "focused on identifying personnel in extremely demanding positions with unusually challenging responsibilities based on a defendable scoring methodology, and decisions were made agnostic of budgetary funding."
Those serving in a field that will be removed from the bonus list won't lose all the pay at once; they will still receive Special Duty Assignment Pay at "a rate of one-half their original SDAP through Sept. 30, 2024," according to the release.
Jobs that will see a reduction in Special Duty Assignment Pay include:
Below are the campaigns that are currently located on our Action Center. Please take no more than 5-10 minutes to scan through each of the campaigns and click on the custom links provided below.
The Military Spouse Hiring Act would encourage companies to employ military spouses, who frequently face disproportionate impediments in the job market, by extending the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include them.
Intends to help military spouses find better work opportunities.
Support the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act!
Authorizes veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 50% to concurrently receive both retired pay and disability compensation.
Makes qualified disability retirees with less than 20 years of retirement-creditable service eligible for concurrent receipt, subject to specified reductions in retired pay.
Qualify approximately 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries to concurrently receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation.
Provide total offset relief to veterans who suffered combat injuries or illnesses who were medically retired with less than twenty years of service.
Allowsthe receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability.
Extends full concurrent receipt eligibility to individuals who were retired or separated after at least 20 years of military service due to a service-connected disability.
Support the Military Family Nutrition Access Act of 2023!
The Military Family Nutrition Access Act was created to aid military families with active duty members who are facing food insecurity.
By eliminating Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from the income calculations used to establish eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the bipartisan bill will combat food insecurity.
Military personnel risk their life to protect our nation; they shouldn't have to worry about providing for their families.
The Not Just a Number Act would oblige the VA to look into how veterans use their benefits in their yearly report on suicide prevention in order to assess the connection between VA benefits and suicide outcomes.
In its fight against veteran suicides, the VA evaluates which VA benefits have the best impact on preventing suicide and requires the Department to submit recommendations for an increase in such benefits.
If you have any questions, please reach out to AFSA's Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.
AFSA Professional Education, Personal Development Symposium Registration isLIVE!!!
THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention Registration is LIVE!!! This year’s Summit/AFSA International Convention will convene Friday, August 4, through Wednesday, August 9,2023,(Departures: Thursday, August 10, 2023) in Dallas, Texas, at the Hilton Anatole Resort, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas. For more details, please click on the link below:
THEME:The Theme for THE SUMMIT 23/AFSA International Convention is“Back to Basics and Beyond.”
NOTE:Main arrival and registration is on Friday, August 4, 2023.
WELCOME CEREMONY BREAKFAST: The Welcome Ceremony Breakfast is on Saturday, August 5, 2023. The Dress Code for the Welcoming Ceremony Breakfast is:
Business Casual, Military Personnel on Funded TDY orders: OCPs.
THEME PARTY/ICE BREAKER:THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention Theme Party/Ice Breaker is on Saturday, August 5, 2023.The Theme for the Theme Party/Ice Breaker is “Super Heroes & Sheroes.” The Dress Code for the Theme Party/Ice Breaker is:
Dust off your Cape!
AFSA PRESIDENT’S DINNER & AWARDS CEREMONY. The AFSA President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony is on Sunday, August 6, 2023. The Dress Code for the President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony is:
AFSA Members: Gentlemen: Tuxedo or Dark Suit, Ladies: Dress evening wear (long or short);
Military Personnel on Funded TDY Orders: Mess Dress or Semi-Formal Uniform;
Top Performer Club members (Formerly TwinFLIER, SKYHIGHER and/or HighFLIER Club members): Wear the AFSA blue blazer. If they are active-duty military members, they may wear the AFSA blue blazer, but are highly encouraged to wear their service dress uniform.
AIR & SPACE HONORS BANQUET AND CMSAF AWARDS CEREMONY. The Air & Space Honors Banquet and CMSAF Awards Ceremony is on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. The Dress Code for the Air & Space Honors Banquet and CMSAF Awards Ceremony is:
Gentlemen: Tuxedo or Dark Suit,
Ladies: Dress evening wear (long or short);
Military Personnel on Funded TDY Orders: Mess Dress or Semi-Formal Uniform
THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention
REGISTRATION FEE: The registration fees are as follows:
AFSA International Convention
Complete Registration (1 June - 31 July)$300.00
Complete Late Registration (1 August - 4 August) $325.00
AFSA International Convention Plus PEDs and Air & Space Honor’s Banquet
Complete Registration (1 June - 31 July)$350.00
Complete Late Registration (1 August - 4 August) $375.00
On Monday, August 7-9, there will be a full day of Professional Development. All Professional Development Forums are open to all military members on Active Duty and DoD civilian personal at no cost.
BEAUTIFUL EVENT LOCATION- Book your rooms now!The Summit 23/AFSA International Conventionis held at the Hilton Anatole, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Dallas, Texas where you'll find an entertainment complex designed to relax and delight you and your family. We've partnered with the Hilton Anatole to offer special AFSA/SUMMIT ROOM RATES at $154+ tax a night.
NOTE: Please identify that you are with the Air Force Sergeants Association group.
(This special rate includes the outdoor Jade Water Pool Complex with slides and a lazy river, the Verandah Fitness Club & V-Spa, dining options, and much more.)
NOTE:The last date to make hotel reservations at the AFSA contracted room rate is July 14, 2023.
Have You Read The Latest AFSA Magazine?
This edition features Port Mortuary and America’s Missing Heroes, Living with Bipolar Disorder in the Military, Fly-By Wire Defense and AFSA’s American Award Recipient – Don Ward. Read, download, print and share: https://www.hqafsa.org/fallmagazine.html
Greetings AFSA Division and Chapter Leadership,
We are pleased to share the AFSA Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay procedures and marketing materials to help share the process with our members, your membership and potential new recruits.
The Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay program creates an opportunity to JOIN AFSA or RENEW a membership by making a $36 once-a-year/every-year auto payment, or a $4-each-month/every- month auto payment. The $36 once-a-year option is set at $36, and the $4-a-month option includes a bank processing fee of $1 each month.
Review the two ways to enroll, the benefits to using the auto-pay option, and the marketing materials to help share the details of this program and ensure its success.
For questions, please contact AFSAHQ Member & Field team at 800-638-0594 x 288.
Please Update Your Contact Information Today!
Dear Air Force Sergeants Association Member,
In order for the AFSA to effectively communicate with our members, it is essential to ensure we have your current and / or valid e-mail address. We are in the process of updating our records and need your help! Please take a moment to ensure that we have your most current mail and email address (no .mil's); and accurate membership listing information.
We've made it easy, as you can update your information in either one of three ways:
Call Member & Field Relations team directly at 800-638-0594 x 288 (Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)
Email to: msvcs@hqafsa.org
Visit www.hqafsa.org and select the UPDATE button on the right
We thank you in advance for your support and prompt updates.
In sum, due to greater than anticipated personnel costs, the Air Force is experiencing a shortfall in the FY23 Military Personnel Appropriation, according to spokesperson Ann Stefanek. "Air Force Headquarters is directing actions to be taken immediately to avoid depleting funds."
The 2023 Selective Reenlistment Bonus program, the Aviation Bonus Program, and new Assignment Incentive Pay are all being suspended by the Air Force as of July 11. In addition, orders for permanent change of station (PCS) for August are being evaluated and could be postponed. These orders require families to find new homes, some of whom want to settle their children before the start of the school year.
In addition, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown vehemently argued that the combined force's readiness is being negatively impacted by the Senate's blanket hold on hundreds of senior military appointments, including his own.
Even for senior leaders like Brown, Democratic members are reluctant to use their limited floor time to confirm generally non-controversial military nominees by unanimous vote. Senators would need to vote on the 253 promotions that were up for confirmation for 84 days, according to Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., who made the observation on Monday.
The 84-day period will be greatly extended by Tuberville's hold, according to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who is the panel's chairwoman on military people.
And lastly, you should receive the highest quality medical treatment as a veteran. However, you might not always concur with the choices we make regarding your medical treatment or whether you qualify for a particular type of care.
You may appeal a decision we made if you don't agree with it. How? Read on.
A word about the VA's sources of benefits first. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is responsible for non-health benefits such as life insurance, school loans, dependency and indemnity benefits, and service-connected compensation. In terms of your health care and eligibility for particular medical services, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) also offers its own set of health benefits.
And that's the way it is for Thursday, July 13, 2023.
Stay tuned for our next M&G-B, where we will continue to keep you in the loop on all things pertinent to the coronavirus, veterans, active-duty members, guards and reservists, and military family members. Stay happy, and stay healthy!
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