42 Keesler NCOs targeted for retraining program Published July 22, 2010 By Jon Hanson Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- About 4,345 Airmen have the opportunity to retrain as part of the fiscal 2011 NCO Retraining Program. The program affects 42 Keesler NCOs, according to Gary Schafer, chief of the 81st Force Support Squadron's military personnel section. The NCORP is a two-phase program designed to sustain the enlisted force by moving second-term and career Airmen from overage Air Force specialty codes to shortage AFSCs. "The retraining program is a vital tool in managing the force that allows leaders to meet evolving Air Force needs and requirements," said Col. William Foote, director of personnel services at the Air Force Personnel Center. "The 2010 NCORP was highly successfully in filling 96 percent of the shortfalls in Air Force specialties, while streamlining the process to 120 days," Colonel Foote said. AFPC officials said they seek to achieve that same success with the fiscal 2011 program. Officials have selected 41 overage AFSCs with retraining-out requirements, an increase from 31 last year. In addition, 10 AFSCs were selected with retraining-in requirements. All other Airmen identified for NCORP can volunteer during Phase I for specialties meeting AFSC and grade requirements. Phase I began July 15 and ends Sept. 16. Phase II starts immediately following Phase I. "A change this year allows Airmen who are disqualified from their AFSC and assigned a reporting identifier of 9A000 to apply for unrestricted fiscal year 2011 NCORP quotas," said Tech. Sgt. Keila Brown, NCO in charge of AFPC's retraining policy and procedures. "This will enable them to better serve Air Force needs and allow the Air Force to retain experienced Airmen." Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis during Phase I. In Phase II, individuals are involuntarily placed in AFSCs based solely on the needs of the Air Force. Airmen can find the master vulnerability list on the Virtual Military Personnel Flight, https://w20.afpc.randolph.af.mil/AFPCSecureNet20/CheckPortal.aspx. Frequently-asked questions concerning NCORP are available at http://gum.afpc.randolph.af.mil/cgi-bin/askafpc.cfg/php/enduser/home.php under the "enlisted" button. Then click on the "retraining" tab. For more information about the fiscal 2011 NCORP, visit the AFPC personnel services Web site at https://gum.afpc.randolph.af.mil, contact your local military personnel section or call the Total Force Service Center, 800-525-0102. Susan Griggs, Keesler News editor, contributed to this report.