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Attention Marauders: High year tenure changes coming in FY2014

  • Published
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Air Force officials announced Dec. 19, 2011, high year of tenure limit changes for the grades of senior airman, staff sergeant and technical sergeant that go into effect Sept. 30, 2013.

The changes are a part of additional force management programs that are ongoing to size and shape the force to meet current and future requirements. High year of tenure limits for senior airman will be reduced from 10 years to eight years; staff sergeant 20 years to 15 years; and technical sergeant 22 years to 20 years.

Most Airmen affected by the HYT changes will have two opportunities to test for the next higher grade before the change becomes effective.

The new HYT policy will impact slightly more than one-half of one percent of the enlisted force, or approximately 1,700 Airmen. And according to leadership at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, waiting until last minute is not a good option.

"Even though we are in a deployed environment, and many Airmen will have already gone home before this goes into effect, they need to start planning now for what they want to do with their careers," said Maj. Heather Meyer, 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander. "This is even more important if they are getting close to, or have already gone over, their high year tenure when this begins in fiscal year 2014."

This timeline provides Airmen time to prepare for promotion testing.

"Airmen control their careers. We are announcing it now so Airmen affected by the new HYT have ample time to study before their promotion tests," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy.

The Air Force last changed HYT in 2010 when the service went back to the pre-2003 HYT levels due to end-strength stabilization.

"It is the supervisor's role to ensure Airmen are informed and a career path is laid out - but it is incumbent on every Airman to strive to be the best and reach these milestones in a timely fashion," said Air Force Personnel Center Command Chief Ruben Gonzalez Jr.

Senior airmen and staff sergeants who separate because of HYT will receive involuntary separation pay. Technical sergeants may apply for full retirement if leaving active duty because of reaching their HYT just as they would under existing policy.

Airmen separating will also receive 180 days of extended medical care for themselves and their family, a second opportunity to enroll in the Post-9/11 GI Bill, NAF hiring preference, permissive TDY for employment and relocation activities, two years of commissary and base exchange privileges among other benefits.

An Airman's total active federal military service date, or TAFMSD, will determine whether he or she is grandfathered under previous HYT limits or impacted by the new HYT limits.

Airmen can find their TAFMSD through the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil , and receive additional counseling by contacting the 386th EFSS Personnel Section at 442-2199.

Airmen assigned overseas who do not have enough time to move to the continental United States will have their date eligible to return from overseas, or DEROS, involuntarily extended to match their new HYT and date of separation. Those whose DEROS exceeds the new HYT and DOS will have their DEROS curtailed to match the new HYT.

Airmen are also encouraged to verify their active duty service commitment for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill transfer of benefits to family members' eligibility. Airmen who will have their HYT reduced and the reduction will not allow the Airman to complete the ADSC associated with the Post 9/11 GI Bill transfer of educational benefits option should contact their local education office. They may also visit the Air Force's Post-9/11 GI Bill web page at: http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/gibill/index.asp for additional information.

Extensions of HYT due to unusual or extraordinary circumstances are still applicable under existing guidelines. These include reasons such as extreme personal hardship or when an extension is clearly in the best interest of the Air Force.

This change to policy will not affect Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard members.

For more information about high year of tenure limits or any other personnel related issue, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil or call 442-2199.

(Adapted from original article written by Eric M. Grill, Armed Forces News Service)