Question about Air Force special duties now...

2014-10-25T22:10:38-04:00

Hello everyone,

Just curious to see if anyone has more concrete answers than what I'm receiving here.

So a bit of background on me. I'm a flightline maintainer, have been to 3 bases, worked 3 platforms, and have never not been on the line the last 8 years (not even tool room). As you can imagine, it gets tiresome, and while I PCSed almost 2 years ago I've been trying to find some way to improve myself, my career, and myself, while staying in. I'm going to school for Buisness Management and fully intend to stay in my 20.

That being said, I recently asked my supervisor about volunteering for special duties. I know the rules have recently changed, and wanted more clarification on what is required and the whole process. His answer to me... "your on a freeze code, you can't volunteer for special duties until your time is up".

So today I was working a jet, I'm a weekend guy for the time being, and was working with the E-7 in charge who was handing me tools. I told him what I wanted to do and he told me to do it, that my lock code could get waived and he'd even write me a letter of recommendation if I wanted one.

That said, what are the new rules and process for all of this? I'm interested but obviously my supervisor doesn't care to help me, even if I do need to wait a bit....

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 7:50 PM

2014-10-30T19:50:21-04:00

This might help.

http://www.acc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123370989

New changes to the special duty program

Additional changes to the Air Force special duty program will require Airmen to be nominated and vetted through an approval process that began Oct. 1. The changes to the program allow leadership and commanders to nominate their top performing Airmen for positions such as military tra

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 8:00 PM

2014-10-30T20:00:08-04:00

your supervisor is correct in that a lock code e.g. 44, 45, etc, will prevent you from being selected for any special duty HOWEVER, there is another way. I have tried multiple times and this is what I learned: In your VmPF or AMS, you should be able to verify whether or not you are coded. It will be in the "assignment limitation code" section. If it is blank then you are free and clear to apply for any special duty you qualify for. If you are in fact coded, then you must present you case to Squadron Superintendent, usually your Chief, and explain to him what your intentions are and that you are keenly interested in broadening your career through a special duty assignment in "X". The Chief in turn will call your functional and hash out whether or not to release you. Bear in mind that this is a Chief function and if your Chief can persuade the functional then it's a done deal and you can go. All is takes a one phone call from your Chief to him. Keep checking through AMS though, Special duty assignments pop up every month.

Response by SSG George Duncan made Nov 21 at 2017 3:45 PM

2017-11-21T15:45:26-05:00

safer that way