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USAF Makes it Easier to Decline Education Assignments

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7-day Option: How to Separate From the Air Force

Introduction: 7-day Option: How to Separate From the Air Force

This tutorial shows step-by-step in pictures how an Air Force officer can apply to leave the Air Force under the 7-day option. "Exercising the 7-day option" or "7-day opting" means to apply for separation from the Air Force within the allowed 7-day window rather than accepting the next assignment.

Officer who receive the notification of their next assignment have 7 days to turn this assignment down before the assignment is accepted automatically. Accepting the next assignment incurs the officer an additional active duty service commitment (usually 2 years). When I made my decision to separate from the Air Force, there was little to no documentation on how to physically apply to separate. This instructable is to relieve some the stress from those who have made their decision and want to know how to complete the process before their time runs out.

This instructable is applicable to the following:

• Many steps will be applicable to officers applying for separation under any condition, but the commentary is geared towards those who have received their assignment notification
• Supervisors and commanders helping their subordinates through the process
• This is potentially helpful to the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) for ideas on how to improve their process

Step 1: Getting Started

It's best to be prepared prior to starting the form, as you'll be dealing with a long, multi-step form that times out frequently.

What you need

• Have your latest Single Unit Retrieval Format (SURF) accessible. This is available on the Assignment Management System (AMS)
• The language is a bit dense, so I recommend contacting the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) via myPERS if you have questions. The phones are normally quite busy after assignments have been issued, but my experience is that they get back to questions asked through the myPERS message boards fairly quickly.
• Whether you've completed your Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC)
• Whether you've received an assignment notification
• Whether or not you're stationed overseas
• I had completed my ADSC, had received my assignment notification, and was not overseas. My range of dates to pick from were between the 6th and 7th months from when I exercised my 7-day option
• It's important to note that even if you do have service commitment remaining, you can still 7-day opt. Just file for separation like everybody else, with your desired date of separation after your active duty service commitment. The Air Force will need to decide if they want to move you with your little commitment left (moving is expensive), or to just keep you in your current assignment until separation.
• Again, read the AFIs and become an expert. It is possible (perhaps even likely) that your commander has not had experience with many people choosing to separate from the Air Force, so they might not have all the right answers. It's possible that AFPC may be wrong about some things as well (although I'd expect them to have more experience). Commanders and AFPC rotate in and out of their positions just like everybody else, so it's important that you become smart on the process
• This is a required step in the application process. Your supervisor and/or commander needs to be aware of the timing of your separation and your reasons for separating. They are to provide counsel about the benefits of an Air Force career and the opportunities to participate with the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve. If you're a good troop, I'm sure your leadership will be sad to see you go. I'm assuming you've done your research--that you know how much an Air Force officer makes, and you know how great the retirement is, and what you can realistically expect to make in industry. If not, you have lots of research to do, and not much time to do it if you're in your 7-day window.
• You can see how much you're making on Air Force Portal > myPay > "Personal Statement of Military Compensation." If you've never looked at this, you may be surprised how much you make. If you're O-3 or higher, you may be approaching $100k per year, when you consider Base Pay, BAH, BAS, and a federal tax break for not paying taxes on your BAH (which is frequently ~1/3 of your pay). This isn't even talking about your health care or retirement. If you think you're going to make much more in industry, you may be mistaken. Just a personal caution--make sure you're getting out for the right reasons, and do your research. Talk with lots of people in the industry you're looking to get into, and job sites like LinkedIn (Premium is free for military members) or GlassDoor could have some insight into the salaries you could be making. I would encourage all who are considering getting out to research their alternatives extensively before coming to this point. If you're already in your window, you may be having to make a decision based on your gut (Ouch! Prepare early! Take control of your career, whether you're staying in the Air Force or getting out!)
• The form will ask you to enter your terminal leave. Several out-processing dates will be generated based on your "final out-processing date"
• For those of you unfamiliar with terminal leave, this is leave that you take after your final out-processing date with the Air Force, but before your separation date. Assuming you get permission from your supervisor and the Air Force ethics office, you can begin employment with your next job while on terminal leave
• Terminal leave can be changed after you submit the form. I would suggest getting it as accurate as possible, though. Remember to budget some time for the job hunt

I'll be somewhat light on the commentary for all of the remaining steps. It will be an illustrated guide of what you can expect. This was my experience when I separated in Fall 2017. I can't vouch for any changes that happen after that time.

Step 2: VMPF Home

Go to "vMPF" home page, and click on "Self-Service Actions."

Step 3: Self-Service Actions

From "Self-Service Actions," click on "Separations."

Step 4: Separations

In "Separations," click on "Voluntary Separation."

Step 5: Voluntary Separation

This page will have some information to read. Then, click on "Apply for Voluntary Separation."

Step 6: Initiate Voluntary Separation

Step 7: Initiate Voluntary Separation, 2

You should be able to get this information from your SURF. Then, click "Next."

Step 8: Initiate Voluntary Separation (Step 1 of 10)

Click the dropdown.

Step 9: Initiate Voluntary Separation (Step 1 of 10), 2

If you are "exercising the 7-day option," your reason should be "Separating rather than acquiring ADSC." This was not intuitive to me--it seemed like at least one other option would be reasonable to select. This was the option I was instructed to select when I talked with AFPC.

Step 10: Initiate Voluntary Separation (Step 2 of 10)

This page is why you did your homework with the AFIs to determine what date you can separate. For me, I was told this had to be after 6 months from the date I applied for separation, but before the 1st day of the 7th month. In other words, I had roughly a 30-day window from which to select my date. As previously mentioned, if you still have service commitment left, you'll need to select a date after your service commitment is completed. If you only have a year left, I'd be surprised if they move you--but that's up to the Air Force.

Note that the "Separation date" is the date that you stop receiving pay in the Air Force, after your terminal leave (it's not asking when you want to start your terminal leave). And, again, the AFIs give you a fairly small window to choose from. When people asked me when I was getting out, I would tell them, "my final out-processing day is [date 1], and my final separation date from the Air Force is [date 2]."

Step 11: Initiate Voluntary Separation (Step 3 of 10)

Give your reasons for getting out of the Air Force. Please note that due to errors in the web form, don't type the apostrophe (') character.

Step 12: Error Page

This is what happens if you put the apostrophe (') character in any of the text of your forms. This is bad web programming, so avoid all apostrophes in your explanation.

One other quirk about the forms you're filling out: when you "Save," the values you've input into your form are preserved, but you will also be kicked back to the beginning, requiring you to click back through all the slides to the point you were at. For this reason and due to the frequency of time-outs, it's best to be prepared with your information before you start. Being the cautious person I am, I also recommend saving copies of the text you are inputting and taking screenshots as you go.

Step 13: Initiate Voluntary Separation (Step 4 of 10)

They give explanations for each option in the hyperlink. This is the option that was applicable to me.

Step 14: Initiate Voluntary Separation (Step 5 of 10)

Here's the step that shows you counseled with your supervisor and/or commander. I would suggest talking with both of them. They're going to know eventually. Why not hear it from you?

Step 15: Initiate Voluntary Separation (Step 6 of 10)

Self-explanatory.

Step 16: Initiate Voluntary Separation (Step 7 of 10)

This is only applicable if you're applying through an incentivized early separation program.

Step 17: Initiate Voluntary Separation (Step 8 of 10)

For notification to the commander.

Step 18: Initiate Voluntary Separation (Step 9 of 10)

Step 19: Initiate Voluntary Separation (Step 10 of 10)

I don't believe any of this applied to me. One item, I remember, was for enlisted only. I believe I uploaded a Memorandum for Record (MFR) stating why a couple of these didn't apply to me, just to cover my bases.

Check with AFPC if you have questions. You probably should! You only have 7 days to do this. Again, if you call them, you can probably expect to be on hold for 45 minutes to an hour. If you're doing this early in your 7-day window, use the message board in myPERS--it's golden! They'll probably follow up within a few hours, and you'll have a documentation trail afterwards to refer to if there are issues. Even if you talk with them on the phone, send them a message on the message board--"Thanks so much answering my question! Per our phone conversation today, I will be ..."

Step 20: Officer Voluntary Separation Application

And, the final page with all your form data.

Step 21: "Are You Sure?"

Are you sure you want to go? PS, DEROS = Date Elegible to return from OS. Only applicable if you're stationed overseas.

Step 22: Application Successfully Submitted

And, I'd save a screenshot when the process is complete.

A couple parting notes:

• Don't wait until day 7 to do this! I've heard different explanations about special exceptions on when the 7 days start and end. However, I didn't want to test one AFPC Airman's word. I have a friend who ended up going to his next assignment because he didn't understand this process. Take a couple days to make your decision if you need to, but don't take 7 days! Don't even get close to it.
• It wouldn't hurt you to send a note to AFPC afterwards via myPERS letting them know that you filed for separation from the Air Force with the intention to exercise your 7-day option, requesting that they inform you if there is an error that requires fixing. If your commander knows your intentions, you filled out the forms to the best of your knowledge, and AFPC knows your intentions, it's the best possible scenario in the event something was wrong and someone tries to argue that you didn't make your timetable.
• Don't enter apostrophes (') in the web form, as previously noted
• Sometimes the Air Force Portal or vMPF is down (vMPF was down for almost a month in January 2018). If that happens to you during your window, get on the phone with AFPC! Get a way forward in writing. Make sure your commander is involved (the first person in your chain of command with G-series orders). Take screenshots--prove that it's broken, and that you did everything in your power to exercise your 7-day option. Write some MFRs, and send them to your commander and AFPC. Make sure your intentions to separate are crystal clear, in writing. This is a big motivator for not waiting until the last day.
• A friend of mine noted that when he originally tried to exercise the 7-day option, after an extensive training, the physical "Voluntary Separation" link wasn't available to him on vMPF. Again, take screenshots, get on the phone with AFPC, and do the same actions I suggested above.
• This is all advice meant to be helpful. Please don't rely on my word, or you might end up on an additional assignment that you didn't mean to take! Find out the latest info, and don't rely on this post!

I hope this was helpful to you. Best of luck to you in your career!

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• General Discussion

Turning down an assignment but still have commitment

By ARAMP1 February 2, 2014 in General Discussion

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Some bros were sitting around the flight office the other day and the subject came up and there was some conflicting info.

The scenario is that an individual has a year or so on his active duty service commitment and gets PCS orders. To take the orders would extend his ADSC. He doesn't want to extend his ADSC, so he turns down the orders. Can the AF move you anyway? Send you on a 365 or 179? Let you serve out your time where you're at? Other? What normally happens?

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They can move you anyways... several people have been moved to CVS and their PCS ADSC was waived.

two dudes have done this in Rescue - turned down PCS orders. They were required to set a date of separation of their ADSC expiration date...neither got 365s, but they continued to deploy as normal in the community until their time was up.

Interesting. Wonder how that would work if you were supposed to requal in an MWS. TDY enroute for 4-6 months of requal to get to your duty station for another 4-6 months. Plus TAPS, terminal leave, etc.

I did it, they didn't move me with 8 months left. They could, and my PCS didn't involve any training, but AFPC told me they wouldn't move me.

Herk Driver

It's been said before, but yes, AFPC can waive the ADSC and move you anyway. Contrary to popular belief, you don't get 365's based off of these types of decisions. You can still be sent on a deployment. Your boss is required to have you home 30 days prior to your separation date, IIRC. No requirement to ensure you get terminal as you can sell back 60 days of your leave (needs of the AF).

Does time on station come into play for 365s? One possible scenario for me is I could hit 4 years time on station when my ADSC 2 year PCS window starts. If I don't PCS before that and then turn one down after that and am told to stay put, does 5 and 6 year time on station send you to the top of the bad boy list or is that just a myth?

ColoradoAviator

IIRC, there is a minimum TOS, but being around longer doesn't directly moe you up the list. It's all about your short tour return date.

I say it doesn't directly move you up the list, but if he guy ahead of you only has 1 week TOS, pretty sure it's coming your way. Make sense?

IIRC, there is a minimum TOS, but being around longer doesn't directly moe you up the list. It's all about your short tour return date. I say it doesn't directly move you up the list, but if he guy ahead of you only has 1 week TOS, pretty sure it's coming your way. Make sense?

33% correct. Your 365 vulnerability relies on 3 things: Short Tour Return Date, # of Short Tours, and Overseas Return Date -- some 365's also carry a rank requirement, but that's another story (+/- 1 rank to support).

In addition, you have to have a minimum of 45 days TOS (IIRC) to be deployable, and also, if you have done an AEF deployment, you are "safe" 6 months after your return. In addition, you have to have enough retainability (ADSC) to complete your deployment and return with 30 days left.

-- All of this information can be found on AEF Online thru the portal.

Outside of 180s or 365s, if you have more than a year left they can just send you somewhere on a remote that needs filling. Doesn't have same 365 vulnerability rules that 21 mentioned above. Having two years retainability and turning down a PCS--I'd bet on a remote (some AFSCs are more likely than others though).

C-21 is right....

1) number of short tours

BUT....(here is what happened at my last base when the gun squadrons were 6 on, home 12, basically getting ready to go, being gone, or in the 6 month home phase)

A 365 would drop to the base for a Capt 11F and the top 6-9 guys'll according to 1,2,3 hierarchy above were all in the Ops squadrons, so the #10 guy on the list, an FTU IP at the time, got the call from the bullpen.

If you are TDY for 4-6 months of requal chances are you are attending a formal flying training course (AETC usually) and will incur a 3-year ADSC -

"b. All manned or unmanned pilots, navigators, and air battle managers who began aviation service after 30 September 1997 will not incur any additional Advanced Flying Training (AFT)/Instructor Qualification ADSCs which extend beyond 6 or 10 years as applicable, of continuous or cumulative rated service. Rated service begins at the completion of training and awarding of wings for the rated specialty. They will still incur Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Professional Military Education (PME), and other non-AFT related ADSCs."

C-21 is right.... In order: 1) number of short tours 2) STRD 3) OSRD BUT....(here is what happened at my last base when the gun squadrons were 6 on, home 12, basically getting ready to go, being gone, or in the 6 month home phase) A 365 would drop to the base for a Capt 11F and the top 6-9 guys'll according to 1,2,3 hierarchy above were all in the Ops squadrons, so the #10 guy on the list, an FTU IP at the time, got the call from the bullpen. Cap-10

All of this...

365's are assigned based on requirements of the J-O-B and all who meet the basic criteria are then racked and stacked accordingly. They only look at those that aren't eliminated by dwell time, non-deployable due to just arriving on station, etc. You have to stop believing all the BS you hear about a guy getting screwed because he refused to PCS, submitted for VSP, etc.

I saw too many guys that were nearing the end of their UPT commitments getting tagged for a 365. If you looked further, they were getting tagged in order of STRD (none of them had OSRD or a previous short tour). There is much less behind the scenes trickery than many people give Big Blue credit for. There is an entire office that does nothing but the 365 assignments...they don't play favorites...ask your commanders who have talked to them.

I PCS'd to an AETC base with less than 1 year left on my ADSC and never received a 3 year service commitment b/c I had already gone through PIT in my career. I got there in Feb, went to PIT from Mar-Jun and went on terminal in Jan.

Contact the correct person at AFPC and anything can be waived....

I just went though this. Got orders with a RNLTD within 1 year of the end of my commitment, did the 7-day option, got sent on the assignment anyways. It will be 11.9 months boots on the ground at my assignment, not counting terminal leave (~80 days). May have to do one last deployment that will basically prevent me from taking all that leave as terminal because, as herk driver said, terminal leave is at the discretion of your commander.

I would not recommend this path for many; I lucked out and have a great SQ/CC who isn't holding it against guys with DOSs, YMMV. Pro tip: don't "burn the bridge" if the assignment will add less than a year to your commitment.

Some bros were sitting around the flight office the other day and the subject came up and there was some conflicting info. The scenario is that an individual has a year or so on his active duty service commitment and gets PCS orders. To take the orders would extend his ADSC. He doesn't want to extend his ADSC, so he turns down the orders. Can the AF move you anyway? Send you on a 365 or 179? Let you serve out your time where you're at? Other? What normally happens?

ETA: and, yes, AFPC could still elect to move you w/o the ADSC, but it's very rare, and your Sep date stands.

Actually it depends how far into your UPT commitment you are. An additional ADSC for requal or IP upgrade cannot exceed your original 10 yr ADSC. See AFI 36-2107 Table 1.1. Note 1b. "b. All manned or unmanned pilots, navigators, and air battle managers who began aviation service after 30 September 1997 will not incur any additional Advanced Flying Training (AFT)/Instructor Qualification ADSCs which extend beyond 6 or 10 years as applicable, of continuous or cumulative rated service. Rated service begins at the completion of training and awarding of wings for the rated specialty. They will still incur Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Professional Military Education (PME), and other non-AFT related ADSCs."

I stand corrected - thanks for diving into that AFI and sharing the good news with everybody.

The rank order is TECHNICALLY correct, however, don't think that having an ODSD is going to save you. I thought I was immune when I got the dreaded "highly vulnerable" notice due to my recent overseas return date. What I found out was that that piece of the puzzle only comes into play as a tie-breaker if you have the same # of short tours and same STRD as another unlucky schmuck. Then, and only then, will the ODSD come into play. And yes, I did get tagged with that 365. To AFPC, 365 assignment is strictly a numbers game. They don't care what job you're currently in, if you are at the top of their list of eligibles due to your old STRD, you're getting tagged. It is then up to your CC to reclama you; or up to you to 3-day opt. Bottom line: your vulnerability boils down to your # of short tours and STRD as compared to other qualified eligibles.

The rank order is TECHNICALLY correct, however, ... What I found out was that that piece of the puzzle only comes into play as a tie-breaker if you have the same # of short tours and same STRD as another unlucky schmuck. Then, and only then, will the ODSD come into play. .

Isn't that why it is third on the list? What am I missing?

I guess you aren't missing anything…maybe I was the only dumbass. Regardless, I want to make sure that people understand that the ODSD essentially does nothing for you WRT 365 selection.

What Herk Driver says is usually golden. However when he said: " If you looked further, they were getting tagged in order of STRD (none of them had OSRD or a previous short tour)," it made me think that he was treating the ODSD as a discriminator and I wanted to clarify that it really isn't. Regardless of your ODSD, you will always be tagged in order of STRD (unless you have more than 1 short tour.)

I can't imagine a situation where two guys that both qualify for the same ITDY have the same number of short tours and also happen to have the same STRD and then actually have the ODSD come into play as a tie breaker. In other words, forget all about your ODSD, it does nothing for you.

Maybe that's evident to most people and I'm a retard (quite possible,) but to me it was not.

From AFI 36-2110

http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2110/afi36-2110.pdf

5.5.2. For Officers: If there are not enough volunteers, AFPC will use modified short tour

selection rules. Non Volunteers are prioritized based on number of short tours, short tour

return date (STRD) and overseas duty selection date (ODSD). Officers serving overseas long

tours may be used as a resource to fill these taskings. Officers must have sufficient time

remaining on their current tour (before DEROS) to be selected as a non-volunteer, i.e. 30-

days upon return from deployment to out-process their respective unit. Officers not selected

for promotion that have a mandatory DOS established and are otherwise not eligible for 3

day option (see Figure 5.2) are not eligible for selection as a non-volunteer unless they have

at least 7 months retainability following the expected deployment return date.

Requal or IP upgrade, no. "Cross-train," yes. See Note 1c. in the same table:

c. Rated officers who crossflow/retrain into another rated career field (e.g., an air battle manager who crossflows/retrains as a navigator or manned or unmanned pilot), crossflow/retrain to a different weapons system (basic qualification) or aircraft airframe will incur the full ADSC for that training even if that ADSC extends beyond the officer’s 6th or 10th year of rated service.

Maybe not a huge deal for most people, but I had a buddy who was a T-6 FAIP, flew F-15s (I think, all the pointy jets look the same) then incurred an additional ADSC when he went back to UPT as a T-38 IP. Also, for those currently flying the MC-12 that end up getting re-classed as an 11R (the horror!) and going on to fly something other than what they flew before, may incur an additional commitment. Not sure if that'll actually happen, but…the more you know.

Also, for those currently flying the MC-12 that end up getting re-classed as an 11R (the horror!) and going on to fly something other than what they flew before, may incur an additional commitment. Not sure if that'll actually happen, but…the more you know.

You don't necessarily have to re-cat. 11Ms flying RPAs who haven't recatted were held to an ADSC that went past the original UPT 10yrs.

From AFI 36-2110 http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2110/afi36-2110.pdf 5.5.2. For Officers: If there are not enough volunteers, AFPC will use modified short tour selection rules. Non Volunteers are prioritized based on number of short tours, short tour return date (STRD) and overseas duty selection date (ODSD). Officers serving overseas long tours may be used as a resource to fill these taskings. Officers must have sufficient time remaining on their current tour (before DEROS) to be selected as a non-volunteer, i.e. 30- days upon return from deployment to out-process their respective unit. Officers not selected for promotion that have a mandatory DOS established and are otherwise not eligible for 3 day option (see Figure 5.2) are not eligible for selection as a non-volunteer unless they have at least 7 months retainability following the expected deployment return date.

Yes, I am very familiar with the verbiage in 36-2110 (one becomes intimately familiar with this reg when they've just been schwacked with a 365, trust me.) And what you just posted makes my point exactly. To me, this sentence " based on number of short tours, short tour return date (STRD) and overseas duty selection date (ODSD)" implies that the ODSD is actually a discriminator of equal consequence as compared to the short tour. This is NOT the case. You can have an ODSD of YESTERDAY and it won't matter if you have 0 short tours and your STRD is older than everybody else's. Its all in the interpretation, and unfortunately, the boss and I both had it wrong until AFPC was kind enough to explain.

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Airmen with child custody arrangements will now be stationed near their kids if possible

The Air Force said Wednesday that, when possible, it will station airmen and space professionals with court-ordered child custody decrees near their children.

Service members also can ask for their assignments to be deferred if the move would take them away from their kids, the Air Force said. Child custody was previously not considered in assignments.

“We recognize family dynamics don’t always look the same, and there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to managing people’s careers and assignments ,” said Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, the Air Force personnel chief. “We ask our people to move frequently, and we know that can cause additional stress and sacrifices for their families. This change gives us the flexibility needed to better take care of them.”

Service members will be able to apply for the assignment or deferment near their kids through myPers, beginning Aug. 17.

As military moves restart, it’s still a PCS season like none other. Here’s what families need to know.

Orders are backlogged, moves are backlogged, and some military families may be moving later than their service members..

The change applies to parents of both biological children and adopted children. Service members must be named as a parent, and have a court-ordered child custody agreement to apply for a deferment or an assignment near their kids, the Air Force said.

However, the change does not give airmen complete power to veto an assignment. The Air Force said assignment matches will be made when possible, and must meet the best needs of the Air Force. But the Air Force said it will try to accommodate airmen’s child custody situations, unless it has no other option for a particular assignment.

“This is one we’ve been working for a while, and I’m glad we could get it across the finish line,” Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright said in the release. “This Air Force life is a family business. As such, we owe it to our teammates to make sure they have every opportunity to keep their family together whenever possible.”

Airmen will still be required to fill manning requirements, do the jobs for which they were trained, and meet all requirements to be eligible for a permanent change-of-station move without waivers, the Air Force said.

Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.

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Declining an Assignment to Osan

Recently sprung some news about getting an assignment to Korea. Pretty excited about it due to the fact that this is essentially a golden ticket to getting out of my home station. BUT my wife is due for our second child a month before my RNLTD. I understand I can kick this date up to 90 days to help my wife more but she’s not too stoked about having to raise a toddler and infant by herself for a year (unless I can get a command sponsor). My question is, if it comes down to it, does cancelling an assignment as a first-airman affect my career?

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