PCS changes: The time-on-station requirement for government funded join-spouse assignments, where military couples are assigned, when possible, to a location where they can live in the same residence, has changed from 24 to 12 months. Recent adjustments in manning requirements for Airmen at stateside bases is expected to open up more base-of-preference opportunities for first-term and career Airmen.

The manning requirements change is expected to open up opportunities in the Voluntary Stabilized Base Assignment Program, which gives Airmen the option to volunteer for certain bases in the continental U.S. that historically have been hard to fill. The benefit to the volunteer is a stabilized tour of either four or five years depending on the location.

The time on station requirement change for join-spouse assignments is designed to give Airmen more flexibility and help minimize financial hardships for married couples who are geographically separated and managing two households.

This TOS policy change also applies to Airmen with projected permissive join-spouse assignments who have not departed their current duty station. Permissive reassignments are those where Airmen pay all moving expenses and travel time is charged as leave.

All other PCS policies, including assignment lengths, remain the same. In 2006, Air Force officials extended the average assignment length for most Airmen from three years to four years, which has reduced the number of yearly PCS moves. Although 48 months is the goal, some Airmen, depending on the career field and mission needs, may rotate more often.

For more information, Airmen can call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.

Find Airman’s Roll Call Online Here: http:⁄⁄www.af.mil⁄library⁄viewpoints⁄.