WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Department of the Air Force officials released details Dec. 10 on the fiscal year 2021 Selective Retention Bonus program, which includes 37 eligible Air Force specialties.
The program is designed to improve the retention of experienced Airmen and Space Professionals in stressed career fields or those with high training costs.
“The biggest changes from the FY20 and FY21 SRB listings mostly revolve around the maintenance AFSCs. Traditionally difficult to retain special warfare and operations AFSCs remain on the list," said Capt. William Werner, Military Personnel Flight commander for the 75th Force Support Squadron at Hill Air Force Base. "If an Airman is eligible on the FY20 listing and would like to take advantage of a SRB, they will need to do so before Feb. 4, 2021."
The Department of the Air Force will spend more than $55 million for the FY 2021 program, which includes 37 total Air Force Specialty Codes, including 28 that remain eligible from the mid-year FY20 SRB program. Nine AFSCs were added to the program and 40 AFSCs were removed from the list.
“Overall retention levels are at record highs and manning within many of our career fields is healthy,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services. “This reduces our requirement and opportunity to utilize retention bonuses to the same extent.”
The FY21 SRB program goes into effect Jan. 5, 2021. Members in skills identified for a reduction or termination, and who are currently eligible to reenlist, will have until Feb. 4 deadline to take advantage of the bonus at previous rates.
“We are giving members advanced notice of impacted AFSCs this year given the challenges associated with COVID-19,” Kelly said. “We want to ensure our members have the right information and enough time to make informed career decisions.”
The FY 2021 SRB listing is available both on myPers and the retention page on the Air Force’s Personnel Center website at https://www.afpc.af.mil/Retention/. For questions about the SRB programs, Airmen should visit the myPers article at https://mypers.af.mil/app/answers/detail/a_id/13829/p/10/c/698 or contact a reenlistment counselor.