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Show Hilltop Times March 5, 1992 Continued from Page just 1 means more people are taking advantage of VSISSB." Air Force personnel officials had anticipated a large influx of applications at the beginning of the program, but warn it's too early to draw any conclusions on what the numbers mean over the long term. "We were planning on a spike up front," said Col. Dee Miller, chief of the retirements and separations division at AFMPC. "There was a group of people who were leaning toward separation anyway, and they submitted their applications early. "We have similar indications there is a large number of people who'd just as soon stay in the Air Force and they're delaying their decisions until the latter part of the offering period," he said. "So we Continued from Page 1 With a clenched jaw, McPeak also warned lawmakers that further cuts would break faith with military people and would be dangerous to U.S. security. "The trust in the Air Force as an institution would suffer," he said. "This trust is central to our success as a combat organization." r Although McPeak said the Air Force does not want to tell a large number of people that their services are no longer required, budget realities will force out many people who had expected careers in the . Air Force. "For those who stay in the Air Force, most also accept that a career with us just doesn't quite mean what it once did," he said. "Our most talented, committed people will evaluate their options carefully." A recent Air Force survey showed that 70 percent of the junior enlisted people are rethinking their career intent as a result of the current drawdown. Although the Air Force chief said he supports the president's budget and the drawdown to a base force . I she said. . She cautioned that members may still have to wait at least 120 days for separation. "They will also be allowed to change their mind on whether to take the lump sum SSB or the yearly payments of VSI," she said. "Once they sign the election agreement, however, that's it." Glenn said the numbers of people applying at Hill for separation has slowed down considerably in the last couple weeks. Members have until April 15 to apply for the programs. of 26.5 wings, he does not support anything less than an Air Force that has "overwhelming force" in case the United States ever has to use it. The American people "expect from us a force," and the idea that the armed forces can take more cuts out of next year's budget is really "kind of senseless," he said. In arguing his case for the current base force concept, McPeak illustrated his point by showing how a strong and ready base force will save American lives. The United States lost fewer than 30 people a week in Desert Storm, 90 people a week in Vietnam, 400 a week in Korea and 2,000 a week in World War II, he said. "So, from my point of view, support for the base force translates directly into American lives and American success in combat. And we should stick with it and avoid the temptation of going with some quick or cheap option." high-qualit- y with nine to 19 in are the target group for VSISSB. years service, 200 officers are eligible. Approximately Glenn said personnel specialists plan to continue their weekly briefings to answer retraining and general VSISSB questions. These briefings will be held every Tuesday in March at 2 p.m., in Room 214 of Bldg. 180 (Consolidated Base Personnel Office). There will also be a special session for spouses to ask questions about the program, Glenn said. This session will be held at the base theater March 17 at 6 p.m. Glenn encourages those with questions or con- At Hill, about 660 ffm E-4- s and E-5- s, cerns about rumors they've heard about VSISSB to contact their unit career advisers or her at Ext. information. to get the most (Some of the information in this story was obtained from Air Force News Service) up-to-da- te Overall, the reduced Pentagon budget calls for a to 1.5 milplan that will cut lion by the end of five years. This funding level will bring down Air Force manpower by 72,000 military and 28,000 civilians from fiscals 1991 and 1993. In terms of fighter force structure, the Air Force will go from more than 41 wings in 1988 to 25 in 1995. Moreover, in fiscal 1992 alone, the Air Force will close 28 flying squadrons, bringing the total flying force down by 35 percent. In addition, almost 50 percent of these wings are in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. However, not one Guard or Reserve wing was closed in 1991 or is planned to be closed in 1992. Thus all the "real hurt" is being taken by the active component, McPeak said. Therefore, if the fighter force goes below the base force of 26.5 fighter wings, the Air Force will go back on Capitol Hill to recommend more cuts in the Guard and Reserve, he said. end-streng- th long-rang- e -- Military - Civilian Personne- l- I 1 1 may see another spike at the end of the application period." Members who have had their applications for separation approved will be allowed to change their separation date and VSISSB election, Glenn said. "They can move their date of separation up but not later than the one they originally requested," Convenient and Quick Cash!! J ift Cash for personal needs, vacations, etc. W UP TO $200 INSTANTLYU mm. Military ID or Civilian ID and Post Dated Check is all you need. IF YOU NEED INSTANT CASH, COME SEE US AT xxrjft y h i-- 7SS 8 LAYTON 300 EAST GENTILE ST. 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