Yokota adviser assists Airmen with career options

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrea Salazar
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  As the 374th Airlift Wing career adviser, Master Sgt. Daniel Chapman assists Yokota Airmen by providing answers to common questions about their career development, including retraining and special duty options.

"Having retrained myself, I am here to help Airmen understand how the process works," Chapman said. "If someone has questions about certain jobs they aren't familiar with, I can help them get in contact with individuals from those career fields to assist them in getting answers."

According to the Airman Retraining Program, AFI 36-2626, overseas first-term Airmen may apply for retraining 9 to 15 months prior to their Date Eligible to Return Overseas (DEROS) if serving any portion of the normal window, 35th month for 4-year enlistees or 59th month for 6-year enlistees on or before their DEROS.

"It is crucial that Airmen understand that time frame so they don't miss their window and get an assignment which will prevent them from applying for retraining," Chapman said. "It also gives Airmen time to get any medical physicals or documents necessary that are required of their requested AFSCs."

Looking at the online retraining advisory is the one of the first steps to determine what AFSCs require additional manning. Currently, some of the most critically manned career fields are flight engineer, special missions' aviation, sensor operator, command post, combat control, tactical air party, and security forces.

While some of these career fields can be physically and mentally demanding, it shouldn't discourage Airmen from applying.

"I understand going into combat career fields is difficult but I'm still motivated about the opportunity to try and see another side of the mission," said Senior Airman Joshua Cunningham, a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft crew chief from the 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. "For me, just being afforded the chance to learn a new job while staying active-duty, is a huge incentive."

To learn more about career retraining opportunities visit the myPers Web site. At Yokota Air Base, contact Master Sgt. Daniel Chapman at 225-7829.