Dropping my papers
 

I can not get a straight answer on how much notice I need to give the Air Force (AF), in order to get out.

I have been told the AF requires at least six months notice from the point you would like to seperate. If you wait longer then this (drop papers four months prior) then a waiver is required.

I have heard so many didferent variations from the above, I wanted to see if someone had actually been through the process and could shed some light on the subject? In addition, if there is a waiver process who approves the waiver? (Wing CC, AFPC, etc).

Thanks in advance for the help.

Short answer: you have 6 months. Lawyeristic answer: You must be gone on the "first day of the seventh month" after you give notice. You can get it approved to get out sooner, but not sure who would have to sign off on it. If I recall what I read, it didn't seem like there was much of a window of dates you could choose. You need to give them 6 months notice, but you must be out after 6 months as well, so you don't have much choice as it reads.

Just call the separations office on base and ask. If your separations section is like mine (i.e. idiots), you might have to break out the reg and read it yourself to be sure, so brace yourself now for the frustration. Just ask them to show you in writing what they tell you, or look it up yourself.

I 7-day opted about 5 months ago and get out at the end of this month.

They claim they need 180 days to take care of all the paperwork, set up moves, etc. but when stop loss ended back in 02 it only took them 2 1/2 weeks to get through my paperwork and I was out the door on terminal gotta love it - a bud of mine did in all in 4 days - but yes the official answer is that they need 15 copies of everything and 180s days to process the stuff because mpf is so busy with training afternoons - down days and my favorite - squadron workout time

Also don't forget to look into washington state unemployment (best in the union and available to any active duty member separating no matter where your HOR or separation base is located)

Now that I think of it, I'm pretty sure the wing CC is the approval authority for earlier separations. You'll have to look it up to be sure, but I'm reasonably certain that's the case since I had to read through all of that shiz not too long ago.

Not sure if you're still working on this or not, but I found some info for you by accident.

Go to virtual MPF. Click on Self Service Actions. Click on Separations. Click on Request to Change/Withdraw voluntary separation.

There it lists the reg that governs this shiz and gives you the electronic form to fill out for your request. It says it needs to be routed through your wing cc and says something about a letter stating your justification.

Good luck.

Remember, once you drop the paperwork (sign it at MPF), you have to give to your sq/cc. sometimes they will "hold on to it to make sure you are sure." the date is the date you signed it, not his date. his signature is not approval or disapproval, only that he knows you are punching. good luck, life is much better on the outside.

I was incredibly lucky and started class at UPS on my second day of 3 months of terminal leave/permissive TDY for Househunting. But I was determined to get out of AD regardless. One day during my 5th deployment in 2 years I woke up to 2 huge rats fighting in my tent. I decided then and there that whatever job I got after the USAF my QOL would unquestionably be better.

After 2 years I realize how incompetent many of the people in the USAF are. Thankfully its excellent at what counts--putting bombs on target. But in general many of the senior leaders were incompetent and getting anything done at the MPF or Finance was like pulling teeth. I recommend that anyone wanting info about getting out contact AFPC directly because Amn Snuffy at your base in clueless.

Not much better :D Did you hear about the numerous mice running over the DC-8 Hot crewmembers in the PHL sleeproom? Tis a funny story from this spring I think.
Too funny.

One of my boom operators had a mouse run across his face in Manas...was truly a sight to behold. One of the funniest things I've ever seen.:D

GNH

I've been looking at separating but I found out last week that my "voluntary" DEROS extension was basically an ADSC extension. I thought I was going to be able to separate in May (ADSC for IP trng) after giving my 6 months notice. Now I have to figure out how to get my original DEROS reinstated which coincided with my May ADSC. Normally it would be WG/CC approval but I'm at MAJCOM staff (still flying) so it looks like a 2 star has to sign it. I was told by my orderly room it was best to deal with AFPC directly...they haven't exactly made it their priority to return my emails/calls.

In typical AF fashion my DEROS extension wasn't quite done by the books. It was done with one email from a SSgt to a Maj at AFPC. I never signed anything nor was counseled on the fact the DEROS extension was the same as an "ADSC" extension. Like a lot of things with the AF it's severely frustrating.