The Air Force on Wednesday launched its Fiscal 2012 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program to give about 900 second-term and career enlisted airmen the opportunity to shift from overage Air Force Specialty Codes to in-demand career fields that are short of personnel. Thirty AFSCs have been tapped for “retraining-out requirements,” meaning airmen in those fields can volunteer during the first phase of this initiative to change jobs. That’s an increase of five from Fiscal 2011, according to Air Force Personnel Center officials. Six specialties have “retraining-in restrictions,” which means that airmen in those fields are required to retrain in specific areas. Phase one runs through Aug. 6 for restricted fields and Sept. 16 for unrestricted ones. A second phase will immediately follow if there still is a need. (Randolph report by Jon Hanson)
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.