The officer reduction in force board, originally scheduled for June 16 at the Air Force Personnel Center, has been rescheduled to October due to “legal limitations governing RIF boards,” according to a Pentagon release. With the delay, separations now will be effective no later than April 30, 2015, states the release. “When we initially announced these force management programs in December 2013, we knew the dynamic nature of the programs would result in some changes,” said Lt. Gen. Sam Cox, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel, and services. “While the change is necessary to ensure we operate within the law, it was equally important for us to keep our word and minimize the impact on airmen.” The date change prevents airmen from having to go before multiple boards in a short time span, but it also affects those officers eligible for the board. Eligible officers will receive at least six months notice prior to meeting the board, states the release.
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.