Expert: James Bell - 4/1/2006

Question
TSgt. Bell,
  AT3 Smith, I am currently a C-130 Loadmaster that will be reaching my EAOS in the near future and was interested to know what if any benefits are being offered from the AirForce side of the house for qualified Aircrew loadmasters to lure them to the blue.  I was informed that currently there is a heavy need for Loads. and that there are push incentives like choice orders and auto advancement to E-5/E-6 for qualified personnel making this transition. If you can clarify whats fact and what is fiction on this move I would greatly appreciate it.  i have one year left on my current contract and seriously am considering this to be a good move as long as things are on the up and up.  

Answer
Greetings AT3 Smith -

Thanks for writing.  I apologize for taking so long to respond, I have been trying since Saturday, but there was a problem with the AllExperts website.

I hope I can give you some useful information.  First and foremost, the Air Force does not have an auto advancement program for rank.  Your rank will be assessed by a transition officer and, if you meet the requirements then you will get to keep the equivilent rank when you switch over to the Air Force.

Once done, you will then fall under the WAPS program (Weighted Airman Promotion System).  It is a system that measures six areas on a point system.  If you have enough points, you get promoted.  The six areas are PFE, SKT, TIG, TIS, A&D, and EPR.

PFE - Promotion Fitness Examination.  Tests your knowledge of general Air Force knowledge.

SKT - Specialty Knowledge Test.  Tests your knowledge specific to your job (loadmaster).

TIG - Time in grade.  Points accrued based on how much time you have held your current rank.

TIS - Time in service.  Points accrued based on how much time you have been on active duty.

A&D - Awards and Decorations.  Points accrued for various medals you have received.

EPR - Enlisted Performance Reports.  Points assessed based on annual performance evaluations.

Based on how things are done in your current branch of service, conversions would have to be made to give you the proper scores to make you competitive for promotion.  I do not know all the specifics of how inter-service transfers relate to the WAPS system, so I can't address that specifically.  That you would need to ask a recruiter who specializes in inter-service transfers.

I do know that you can request a BOP (Base of Preference) to give you a guaranteed assignment to a particular base.

The best thing you can do is contact an on-base recruiter at an Air Force base close to you.  Tell them what you want to do and ask them for guidance on what the best way to proceed is.  As a qualified aircrew member, you are a commodity they would definitely be interested in, especially in the C-130, so don't sell yourself short.

Depending on how many years you currently have in the military, they are offering reenlistment bonuses for those with less than 10 years of service.  That is a nice piece of change in your pocket.

I know this probably will raise more questions than it answers, but I hope I have given you some useful information.  Don't hesitate to write again if you have anymore questions, but I think a transition recruiter would have the specific answers for you right from the regulations, so you know exactly where you stand.

Good luck.

Sincerely,
James Bell
(Now MSgt, retired)