2008-12-28

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently introduced a new initiative that will streamline final processing for Airmen retiring or separating from overseas areas. With this change, additional travel to a separation processing base is no longer required.

The new procedure is part of Air Force leadership's ongoing commitment to Personnel Services Delivery Transformation.

“By centralizing the retirement and separation procedures at AFPC, Airmen no longer have to travel stateside to conduct final outprocessing actions,” said Ann Lacey, the center's retirement procedures section manager. “They can take care of most of those check-out tasks at various base organizations and by taking advantage of the virtual MPF.”

By using the virtual Military Personnel Flight, active-duty Airmen who are located at an overseas location and retiring or separating on or after Jan. 1, 2009, can now complete all processing before leaving the overseas area or, if applicable, they can complete it by mail after arriving in the continental U.S. For Guard and Reserve members, procedures for separating and retiring remain the same. See the virtual Personnel Center-Guard and Reserve link (vPC-GR) at www.arpc.afrc.af.mil.

With this new initiative, retiring Airmen can travel directly to their home of selection and separating members can travel directly to their home of record or to the place they entered active duty.

“This change will make things a lot easier for our Airmen overseas because they won't have to worry about making that additional stop,” Ms. Lacey said. “Also, with the convenience and accessibility of the virtual MPF, they can view and download retirement briefings, outprocessing checklists and other important documents from any location worldwide.”

Some rare cases, however, might still require the SPB option. Airmen at overseas locations where there are limited support facilities will have to conduct final outprocessing actions in CONUS. The Air Force may also exempt individuals with hardships not common to other Air Force members or if travel to a SPB is determined to be in the best interest of the Air Force.

These SPB changes do not impact a member’s entitlement to move household goods to a desired destination. Members should contact their local transportation management flight for details on shipping their household goods.

For more information, call the 24-hour Air Force Contact Center at 800-616-3775.

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