Career assistance advisor provides advice to First Term Airmen

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Timothy Hezel
  • Career Assitance Advisor
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  If you are a First Term Airman and would like to experience another career in the Air Force, there is a way. 

FTA CAREERS early retraining is allowed at the half-way point (4-year enlistee can apply on the day he or she completes 24 months of service; 6-year enlistees can apply on the day they complete 36 months of service, with the following restrictions: 

Retraining is restricted to: 1C2X1 (Combat Control), 1T2X1 (Pararescue), 1T0X1 (SERE), 1AXXX* (any aircrew AFSC) or 1N3XXX* (any linguist skill). In addition, FTA in the following skills may apply for early CAREERS retraining into their lateral shreds: 3P0X1 (Security Forces), 4J0X2 (Physical Medicine), 4N0X1 (Aerospace Medical Svc), 4N1X1 (Surgical Svc), 4R0X1(Diagnostic Imaging) and 4V0X1 (Optometry). 

FTA applying under this policy are required to meet all requirements for retraining into these skills and they are required to sign a statement acknowledging they are using their CAREERS option. The active duty servicemember must extend the complete 23 months or reenlist. If they have not yet been considered eligible for reenlistment, the member must submit a waiver. Retainability waivers are only accepted in this case. 

FTA will submit their request throught the virtual military personnel flight sytem via the Air Force Portal, and they must include in the comments block: "This is an exception to policy request for FTA CAREERS early retraining." For more information, call the Career Assistance Advisor Master Sgt. Tim Hezel at 731-4766.