Revisions to the Air Force’s accession policy will make it easier for individuals with dependents to enter the service, announced Air Force officials. The policy changes, which took effect at the end of July, enable airmen with up to three children to enlist with a waiver and also standardize pregnancy rules across accessioning sources, according to the service’s July 31 release. The revisions offer more opportunities to “individuals who are highly qualified, but whose family obligations would have previously disqualified them,” said Brig. Gen. Gina Grosso, director of force management policy. Among the changes, both officer training school and basic military training now allow trainees to return to their accessioning program after receiving medical clearance following a pregnancy, states the release. Also, officer training school now allows single parents and parents with military spouses to access upon approval of a dependent care plan.
Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost—a trailblazer and one of the first 10 women to reach a four-star rank across the U.S. military—retired and passed control of U.S. Transportation Command to Air Force Gen. Randall Reed on Oct. 4, finishing an eventful tenure at TRANSCOM.