The Air Force Personnel Center Civilian Force Integration Directorate has developed several podcasts intended to help airmen understand how the recent force shaping measures will affect them. The podcasts will cover everything from voluntary early retirement authority and voluntary separation incentive pay to reduction in force and transfer of function, said Michelle LoweSolis, the civilian force integration director, in a release. “Our goal is to provide a readily understandable overview of topics that are often discussed in a very technical and complex manner,” LoweSolis said. “These short videos will help employees better understand voluntary separation options as well as how the reduction in force process works.” Air Force officials recently announced big changes at Air Force Materiel Command, including the elimination of seven of the 12 AFMC centers. Officials also announced plans to restructure Air Mobility Command and to cut 9,000 civilian positions throughout the department.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.