NCOs face career altering decisions

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chuck Broadway
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The non-commissioned officer retraining program for fiscal year 2013 is in full swing. Approximately 1,400 staff, technical and master sergeants around the Air Force now face a critical decision.

Of the 1,400 Air Force members, approximately 90 of those affected are stationed here. These Airmen will be retrained into another career field as part of the program.

The NCORP is split into two phases: Phase 1 is the voluntary stage. The objective of Phase 1 is to fill all available positions in each critically manned Air Force Specialty Code. If the objective isn't met, Phase 2 is implemented and Airmen are selected for involuntary retraining based on the needs of the Air Force.

"The program is designed to meet the needs of the Air Force," said Senior Airman Jameson Cotton, 4th Force Support Squadron formal training technician. "It moves NCOs from AFSCs with significant overages into AFSCs with shortages."

Cotton said retraining becomes necessary each year following promotion testing based on the amount of personnel selected. On the contrary, those who separate, or retire cause shortages in their respective AFSCs forcing the Air Force to balance the weight.

Once the overages and shortages are calculated, the NCORP is put into effect and Phase 1 is implemented.

According to Master Sgt. Latasha Carroway, Seymour Johnson's career assistance advisor, Phase 1 gives the Airmen the most control over their own destiny. Airmen should take this opportunity to be proactive while they still have a choice.

"I advise Airmen to look at this as an opportunity to stay in the military and obtain new skills," Carroway said. "With all the force management programs and uncertainty for some Airmen about their future; these Airmen will still have a career in the Air Force."

For more information about NCORP members are encouraged to contact their chain of command, career development, the career assistance advisor, as well as the MyPers website.