how long are air force assignments

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How airmen are assigned jobs gets a fresh look from new Air Force panel

A new Air Force panel will rethink how the service assigns airmen to new jobs, including for troops in complicated situations like dual-military relationships, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass said Monday.

“We’re about to have an assignment working group,” she said in a livestreamed question-and-answer session with Chief of Staff Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown. “What do we expect assignments to look like as we look into the future of our Air Force? What should assignments look like in 2030? We’re kind of backward planning.”

While Bass did not elaborate on the issues the group will tackle, she stressed the Air Force wants to make the assignment process more flexible and transparent. She pointed to her own experiences hashing out military assignments with her husband, Rahn Bass, a retired Army first sergeant.

“I felt like the [Air Force Personnel Center] was very transparent,” Bass said. “They will do everything that they can to ensure that families can stay together, to include sister services.”

That effort will go hand-in-hand with a new enlisted force development plan due out this summer to better shape the careers of those airmen. Career policy discussions come as the Air Force considers how to meet its combat and peacetime needs while improving quality of life for servicemembers and their families.

Service leaders anticipate a future without much growth in the total workforce. Some career fields are stretched thin by low staffing, high turnover, and a hectic operations schedule, while the Air Force faces record-high retention at the same time.

To balance out the force, the service has suggested allowing airmen to retrain into jobs that are hurting for people, as well as offering early separation and transfers into the Air Force Reserve.

Air Force retention spiked amid COVID. Now, retention bonuses might be cut

The air force stresses that no involuntary measures are being considered in fiscal 2021..

The service is also trying to adjust to the changing needs of military families, seeing more instances of troops marrying each other, couples where women are the military member, and families where both partners want to work.

Leaders have already begun tweaking some aspects of the assignment process, like growing its searchable online database of job opportunities, and better connecting airmen with bases where they most want to serve.

Earlier this year, the Air Force lengthened the amount of time airmen and Space Force guardians without dependents spend at certain bases overseas from 24 to 36 months. Stretching out those tours of duty at 21 locations is meant to bolster training and better integrate troops into the local community, the service said.

Brown likened the considerations to other personnel management changes the Air Force has rolled out, including a recent overhaul of the promotion system.

The Air Force details its plan to overhaul the way officers are promoted

These six new categories would replace the current line of the air force category, which encompasses about 87 percent of the service’s officers..

“There’s going to be some folks that’ll get a little upset … but the key part is, what are we doing to ensure we are helping our airmen?” he said.

The service is also taking a fresh look at professional military education, Bass said, hoping to create good supervisors as well as good followers. Brown suggested there’s an opportunity for leaders to learn how to give their subordinates helpful feedback for better professional development.

Perhaps there are certain tasks the Air Force can move off of its plate because they aren’t unique to the service, Bass added.

“I think our manpower standards and how we look at managing manpowe need a relook as well,” she said. “Every unit can do that at their level.”

Rachel Cohen is the editor of Air Force Times. She joined the publication as its senior reporter in March 2021. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Frederick News-Post (Md.), Air and Space Forces Magazine, Inside Defense, Inside Health Policy and elsewhere.

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Air Force Permanent Change of Station Assignment Policies

Air Force PCS Moves (Stateside / Overseas)

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Rod Powers was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service.

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In October 2018, the Air Force announced restrictions on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) assignments, to be effective immediately.

In an effort to save PCS dollars and to stabilize and better develop the force, new policies have been developed regarding PCS moves that will keep most Air Force personnel in one location for a longer period. This limitation can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it.

For the Air Force, these dollars saved can be used to recapitalize equipment, airplanes, and facilities. For Airmen, this means your families can stay in the same house for a little longer, your children can finish another year at the same school, or your spouse can continue to work at their civilian job. On the other hand, if you really want to move from a base you dislike, you will now have to wait longer in many cases.

Increases CONUS PCS Time

The first PCS policy change increases the time-on-station requirement needed before one can PCS from one continental United States (CONUS) assignment to another. In the past, you needed to remain at a stateside base for three years before you could PCS to another stateside base. Now, you will need to remain on base for four years before you can get a new assignment to another stateside base.

All enlisted Airmen are affected by this change, as are officers in support, judge advocate, chaplain, and medical career fields. Also, most officers in rated staff positions are affected. Lieutenants , however, will need only three years on base in order to do a CONUS to CONUS move.

Stateside to Overseas PCS

This change in policy does not affect the time on station needed to move from a stateside base to an overseas base. That time requirement is 12 months for first-term airmen and 24 months for all others.

Marriage and PCS Changes

Airmen who get married to another Airman often seek out duty locations where they can do their Air Force job alongside their spouses— called Join Spouse. The Air Force works with these couples to help them find assignments that allow them to stay together.

However, another change to PCS policy increases the time married couples will need to serve on-station before the Air Force will pay for a move to a Join Spous e assignment location.

Under the new PCS policy, Airmen must have 24 months on-station before they can apply for a government-paid Join Spouse PCS. This doesn't mean it’s not possible to move sooner if manning permits. However, it means the Air Force won't pay for the move before two years.

If a suitable assignment is available before the 24 month period, and an Airman chooses to, they may pay their own way to move. This change affects both officers and enlisted.

Adjusting Manning Percentages

Another set of changes to Air Force policy is more indirect, but they still affect PCS moves in the service. These changes involve adjusting manning percentages at both overseas and stateside bases.

At a base in the United States, for instance, manning for an AFSC (job) must now be less than 85% before the Air Force will send more Airmen there. So if Base X has authorizations for 100 aircraft maintainers, it is okay for them to have only 85 maintainers assigned. Should they fall lower than 85% manning, another maintainer could PCS in—but not until then.

Similar changes will happen overseas. Because the manning numbers have been changed both overseas and stateside, the Air Force will have to fill fewer vacancies, and that means fewer PCS moves.

Assignment Availability Code 50 Tours

Finally, the Air Force has extended by 12 months the tours of Airmen in jobs coded as Assignment Availability Code 50 (AAC 50). Airmen affected by this change are now serving in special jobs where the Air Force initially set an absolute limit on how long they could serve. Those limits have now been increased by 12 months. If you don’t know if this change affects you, check with your supervisor to determine if you are coded as AAC 50.

Programs and Helpful Links

In the Air Force, the Assignment Distribution System distributes personnel from command to command throughout the individual's career. Personnel distribution to specific units is done jointly adhering to the policies contained in AFI 36-2110,  Assignments .

When you graduate from basic military training (BMT) and Technical Training (TTGs) the base requests are considered, but the needs of the Air Force will always win—sometimes they match. You can receive an assignment within the Continental United States (CONUS) as well as overseas, specialities distributed equally among the commands.

There are many programs designed to assist with the Air Force personnel needs such as:

• Voluntary Stabilized Base Assignment Program (VSBAP)
• Base of Preference(BOP)
• Join Spouse

General information can be found within those sites. More specific information on each can be obtained at your local military personnel office. 

Airmen may access their permanent change of station (PCS) through the virtual MPF (vMPF). Log into the Air Force's Personnel Center secure website, click vMPF, click the Out Processing link (under Most Popular Applications), and access the "view orders" link (under the Pages menu).

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Suggestions

Trending topics, approximately 30 percent of sailors remain in same area following new billet assignment, cnp says.

Three in 10 sailors did not have to move due to their new billet assignments, the head of naval personnel said Wednesday.

As a result of changes to billet assignments, such as the detailing marketplace assignment policy , sailors are able to stay in the same geographic area longer, Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Richard Cheeseman said Wednesday during a Navy Memorial talk. The detailing marketplace assignment policy is the Navy’s billet-based advancement program that aims to give sailors more control over their promotions and next assignments.

While 30 percent does not come across as particularly high, Cheeseman said it is for the sea service. Retired Rear Adm. Frank Thorp, president of the U.S. Navy Memorial, said he remembered during his service that the rate was less than 1 percent. When people got new assignments, they expected to move.

Consistent geographic location is one way the Navy is working to retain sailors. Cheeseman noted that the service is on track to meet its goals for retention. For some sailors, especially those with families, the chance to stay in the same location can be enough of an incentive to keep them in the service.

Selected reenlistment bonuses are another tactic, he said. In some cases, the Navy has done so well at retention that it does not need to offer retention bonuses for some billets, he said.

“But you got to figure out where to take risk. Can we have some really critical skills that we’re going to need now and going forward? So how do we incentivize those folks correctly?” Cheeseman asked rhetorically.

But while the Navy can retain sailors, getting them in the door is a different issue, Cheeseman said.

It’s unlikely that the Navy will meet its recruiting mission, which set a goal of 40,600 sailors for Fiscal Year 2024, Cheeseman said. The Navy’s goal is higher than its one in Fiscal Year 2023, which the service also missed.

But the Navy saw more contracts in FY 2023 than in FY 2022 despite meeting its goal in FY 2022. In order to meet its recruiting goals, the Navy drained its delayed entry program – the group of people who sign contracts but are not immediately sent to bootcamp, Cheeseman said.

Without the buffer provided by the delayed entry program, the service needs to bring in more people to meet its goal, the personnel chief said.

While the Navy is likely to miss its recruitment goal, the service is slowly closing the gap. Earlier in the year, the service estimated it would miss the mark by 6,700 sailors. Now, it’s at 6,200.

How many sailors the Navy will be short is still unclear, Cheeseman said, but recruiters are working every day to close the gap.

Heather Mongilio

Heather Mongilio is a reporter with USNI News. She has a master’s degree in science journalism and has covered local courts, crime, health, military affairs and the Naval Academy. Follow @hmongilio

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Watch this Air Force graduate's tears of joy when her husband taps her out

When airman Noah Keaton told his wife, Danielle, that he couldn’t make it to her Air Force graduation ceremony in San Antonio, Texas, she understood as he was stationed overseas in England.

Danielle had dreamed of joining the Air Force since childhood, inspired by her grandpa, uncle, and great-uncles who all served. And she did them proud, graduating with honors in a class of more than 800 airmen.

However, waiting to tap out at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas was bitter-sweet without her husband there, until she got the best surprise of her life!

Watch the video above to see a newly minted airman brought to tears at her graduation !

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31-year-old joined the Air Force at 18—now he lives in Italy and has $500,000 saved up to retire in 7 years

This story is part of CNBC Make It's  Millennial Money  series, which details how people around the world earn, spend and save their money.

In 2011, like many 18-year-olds, Darren Thedieck wasn't sure what he wanted. He thought briefly about studying to become a dentist, "but I was nowhere close to that," he says. Plus, he was worried about the prospect of racking up student debt.

Knowing he wanted to travel the world and seeking financial stability, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, hoping to maybe get into the medical field that way.

Instead, he was encouraged to work in IT — a potentially lucrative field in the private sector — at an E-1 Basic Airman's base pay of about $1,400 a month.

Thedieck, now 31, is still in the military, and has gotten an awful lot of what he's wanted ever since.

Travel the world? Check. After basic training and a stint in Las Vegas, Thedieck took assignments in England, South Korea, Germany and his current posting in Aviano, Italy — about an hour's drive from Venice.

He's gotten financial stability too. Thedieck has steadily risen in rank and pay over his 12-plus years in the military while dutifully stashing away cash in a variety of investment accounts. Between his base pay and allowances, he pulled in $9,134 in March, which works out to an annual income of about $110,000.

He's been slowly but surely working toward a degree in finance using military tuition assistance, and in 2017 began teaching free personal finance classes for fellow servicemembers online and in person.  

Another person he helped with money management: his wife Naudia, who he met in Germany in 2021. At the time, she had about $25,000 in student, credit card and automotive debt.

"Me being a finance guy, I kind of got that conversation going early on in our relationship. We got together and made a plan to cut unnecessary expenses," Thedieck says. "And although we didn't completely join our finances together at that point, we started working on a monthly budget for her in order to enable her to aggressively pay down her debt."

By the time the couple got married last April — a destination wedding in Denmark — they were debt free.

The couple welcomed their first child in February, and Thedieck already has bright plans for the future. His investments currently total more than $500,000 — a figure he hopes to push to $1 million in the next five years.

A few years after that, he'll be eligible for retirement from the military with a pension worth half his base pay. Early retirement at age 38 will just be the start of his second act.

Saving on a military salary

Thedieck was interested in saving and investing long before he joined the Air Force.

"Our family didn't have a whole lot of money coming up," he says. "I had to see my mom struggle at times financially. Part of that inspired me to do better for myself financially."

By 16, he was working at grocery stores and reading about how he could get the money he saved to grow. "Some of my early influences were through books — Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, figures of that nature," he says.

Though he admits he didn't necessarily start with the titans of the investing world. "I went to the bookstore and picked up, plain and simple, 'Stock Investing for Dummies.'"

At 18, he opened a Roth individual retirement account, and soon began maximizing his contributions. He also began contributing to his Thrift Savings Plan — the government's version of a 401(k).

Thedieck credits the prodigious amount he's invested in part to the way that he's compensated. "The pay structure in the military allows me to aggressively save because a lot of the income that I get in the form of allowances aren't taxed," he says. "It's very tax-advantageous to serve in the military."

In March, Thiedeck's base pay was about $4,650. From there, he sees deductions for federal taxes, Medicare, Social Security and group life insurance. He also receives three more sources of income in the form of entitlements: about $460 for food, $3,294 for housing, utilities and home maintenance and a $729 cost-of-living allowance.

When you live abroad, those allowances can go an awfully long way, Thedieck says.

"Cost of living in Italy is actually pretty affordable in comparison to most parts of the United States," he says. "In rent alone, we're in a pretty nice house — a four-bed, two-bath — and we pay roughly € 1,650 which translates to about $1,800 [per month]."

How he spends his money

The low cost of living has helped Darren and Naudia keep their budget under control, but it's taken planning as well.

Naudia left her job at Service Credit Union when the couple moved to Italy in 2023, both to prepare for the arrival of their child and to avoid working visa red tape in a new country. Moving to one salary has made things a little trickier, but still manageable, Thedieck says.

"That's forced us to be even more intentional with our finances and how we spend and save," he says. "Now that we're down to one income, we actually conduct monthly financial meetings as a family."

Here's where their money went in March 2024.

• Housing and utilities: $2,279 for rent, Wi-Fi, electricity and home fuel
• Savings and investments: $2,230 deposited into his TSP and taxable brokerage account
• Groceries: $737
• Discretionary: $683 on household items, wellness treatments, entertainment and travel
• Dining: $543 on meals, coffee and drinks
• Car repair: $350
• Insurance: $145 on health, dental, auto and life policies
• Subscriptions: $50 for Apple, Disney, Netflix and Spotify
• Phones: $24

At a glance, a few expenses on that list feel low while others seem to be downright missing.

No debt paydown? Thedieck and his wife own their vehicles outright. Naudia is debt-free after aggressively paying down her loans, and Thedieck never had any debt in the first place. He also pays off his credit card balance multiple times per month.

He's been working toward his bachelor's degree using $4,500 a year worth of tuition assistance rather than paying out of pocket or using his GI Bill. As a result, he may be able to transfer his benefit to his child, who could attend college on the military's dime.

The cost of raising a child is partially reflected in the couple's household and grocery bills, but other baby expenses have been very low thanks to the generosity of the community on base. They still haven't gone through all the diapers Naudia received at her baby shower.

"We have spent roughly $500 of our own money on our baby, from a 3-in-1 combo stroller to various smaller items," Thedieck says. "Everything else has been received through our registry and friends' donations." 

Of course, the couple is willing to spend on things that matter to them. Throughout his career in the military, Thedieck has been willing to spend on travel, and says the budget gets a little looser when he and Naudia are on the road together.

"We want to make the most of those moments and not think so much about how much it costs to do things, but put more value on the experiences," Thedieck says. The same goes for spending on health and wellness.

They're even willing to extend the food budget if it means indulging in a few more macchiatos or savoring the local cuisine. For Thedieck, it's all about finding a balance between spending and saving.

"I understood from an early age that I wanted to prepare a secure future for myself, especially in anticipation of a family," he says. "But I also realize the importance of living in the now and making the most of that. So I tried to travel as much as I could, while also setting myself up for the future."

Future plans and FIRE

For many savers, "the future" is code for retirement, and for Thedieck it is, too. He's just planning for it to arrive sooner than most.

Thedieck is aiming for FIRE, short for financial independence retire early.

Adherents to the FIRE movement aim to stash a large portion of their income into investment accounts. The goal is to reach their so-called FIRE number — the amount in your portfolio from which you can safely withdraw a certain percentage, often 4%, in perpetuity each year to totally cover your living expenses.

As a member of the military, Thedieck's road looks a little different since he'll have an extra source of income in the form of a half-base-pay pension.

If he wanted, Thedieck could supplement that income with withdrawals from his investing accounts. He currently invests $1,300 a month into a taxable brokerage account and another $930 into his TSP. All told, his mix of investments is currently worth more than $500,000.

Right now, though, the plan is for that money to provide a financial "cushion" for the family, Thedieck says. Instead of full retirement after military life, both he and Naudia plan to take off in a new direction.

Naudia plans to go back to work. Thedieck, meanwhile, hopes to launch his financial classes as a small business while also taking on a new rank: stay-at-home dad.

"I'm going to run my online finance business for a little bit. That'll allow me that benefit to stay at home, run that, but also just kind of hang out and relax and enjoy my life a little bit more, just by taking care of our children as well as the household," Thedieck says.

Until then, Thedieck and his family will go wherever the Air Force stations him. Once he retires, though, the plan is to move back to Europe, where cost of living is low and opportunities to travel are abundant.

While Portugal holds appeal as a home base, "we had the idea to move every six months to a year to new locations in Europe," Thedieck says. "We've talked about living in London for a year, living in Dublin, Ireland, for a year, places like that, so that we can kind of get a feel for what the life is like."

The experience, the couple hopes, will be enriching not only for them, but for their child, along with any more they might have on the way.

"While it might be a little bit more frequent moving for them, it'll really offer them so many diverse opportunities that American children just don't get by being home."

What's your budget breakdown?  Share your story with us  for a chance to be featured in a future installment.

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An official website of the United States government

COMPUTER SCIENTIST

Department of the air force.

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to develop broad gauged individuals who can deal effectively with change and complexity within the Air Force as it relates to their career field. As well as duties in the General Cyberspace & IT career field and to complete developmental assignments and training outlined in the formal training and developmental plan.

• Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

10/01/2023 to 09/30/2024

$65,370 - $109,196 per year

Pay scale & grade

• Edwards AFB, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Peterson AFB, CO
• Robins AFB, GA
• Show more locations (7)
• Hanscom AFB, MA
• Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
• Fort Sam Houston, TX
• Lackland AFB, TX
• Randolph AFB, TX
• San Antonio, TX
• Pentagon, Arlington, VA

Telework eligible

Travel required.

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.

Appointment type

Internships

Work schedule

Competitive

Promotion potential

Job family (series).

1550 Computer Science

Supervisory status

Security clearance, position sensitivity and risk.

Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

Announcement number

E-24-1550-PAQ-ACQDEMO-GVL

Control number

This job is open to, recent graduates.

Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Current students enrolled in accredited educational institutions from high school to graduate level. Includes internships, pathways and other student programs.

Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

• Performs computer scientist work in one or more areas such as development of software systems, high-speed computing systems and real time data acquisition systems, or integrated computer systems. Applies knowledge of operating system theory, data structures, computer system architecture, software engineering, and computer communications. Conducts program modeling/simulating and algorithm techniques to major phases of studies or projects. Applies knowledge to functions such as real-time data flow, networking, computer resource allocation, hardware/software integration and interfacing of programs. Applies knowledge of linear and integer programming, statistical data processing and current state-of-the-art hardware/software to help isolate, define and solve critical optimization problems. Develops computer simulations of various systems/subsystems.
• Develops and applies system evaluation methods and techniques to major portions of large projects or studies. Considers real world operational factors, technical state of the art and applicable scientific methods and techniques in the evaluation process. Develops mathematical and statistical models of the existing system for use in evaluation and system improvement studies. Formulates mathematical and analytic models to define anomalies and problems. Applies expertise in data processing and analysis techniques to uncover design and implementation problems in large, real-time data processing systems.
• Plans and carries out the collection and analysis of information, data and standards used by the assigned organization to perform computer science projects. Conducts systems studies to identify deficiencies and determine the impact of these deficiencies on the overall system mission. Recommends operational procedure changes to minimize the impact of and/or system modifications to correct the identified deficiencies. Conducts research and analyzes algorithms to explore data structures that lead to highly efficient algorithms. Studies the impact of proposed actions on existing systems and coordinates with appropriate personnel to resolve minor problems.
• Carries out special projects and assignments in the development of software and solutions to be used by higher-level computer scientists, scientists, contractors and/or customers. Researches and utilizes a wide range of manuals, standard publications and technical material to obtain information, analyze data and prepare reports. Presents briefings or presentations on findings, which may require gaining senior officials' acceptance of proposed solutions. Keeps abreast of emerging technologies and professional developments to maintain current in the field and for application to work assignments.

Requirements

Conditions of employment.

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• For more information on Acq Demo please go to DoD AcqDemo Homepage http://acqdemo.hci.mil/ and Fact Sheet http://acqdemo.hci.mil/faq.html
• Position may require an appropriate security clearance
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Position may be subject to random drug testing
• Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
• Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Student Loan Repayment may be authorized
• Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
• Total salary varies depending on location of position
• You will be required to serve a one year probationary period or two year trial period
• Minimum GPA of 2.95 on a 4.0 grading scale
• Mobility - you may be required to relocate during or after completion of your training
• Opportunity for situational telework as determined by the unit
• Position requires a professional Computer Scientist degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution is required. Advanced degrees are preferred.

Qualifications

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements generally as stated in paragraph A in the individual occupational requirements.

Where specific course requirements are not indicated in paragraph A, the number of semester hours required to constitute a major field of study is the amount specified by the college or university attended. If this number cannot be obtained, 24 semester hours will be considered as equivalent to a major field of study. The nature and quality of this required course work must have been such that it would serve as a prerequisite for more advanced study in the field or subject-matter area. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY ? If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here . Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

For DHA Positions: These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the DoD for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; positions may be professional or administrative occupations and located Air Force-Wide. Pay will vary by geographic location. *** The term "Current post-secondary student" means a person who is currently enrolled and in good academic standing at a full-time program at an institution of higher education; and is progressing toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least 1 year of the program.*** The term "recent graduate" means a person awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than 2 years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than 4 years. Your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications. Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

• Online Application: Questionnaire
• Resume: For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees should list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn ), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume.
• Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
• Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15 form.
• Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action . The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement , block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
• Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
• Branch of Armed Forces
• Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
• Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
• Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
• Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
• Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
• Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
• If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy.
• For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position.

Agency contact information

Total force service center.

1-800-525-0102

[email protected]

Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent. If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application.Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position. If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Criminal history inquiries
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Financial suitability
• Selective Service
• New employee probationary period
• Signature and false statements
• Privacy Act
• Social security number request

Required Documents

How to apply, fair & transparent.

This job originated on www.usajobs.gov . For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/772682500 . Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

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