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Show 6 NEWS Dec. 20. 1991 Hilltop Times vers lo)(UJ(oJ(o by TSgt. Sarah L. Hood Air Force News Service - The president WASHINGTON signed a $291 billion fiscal 1992 defense budget bill Dec. 5, calling far a 4.2 percent military pay raise and servicemembers offering for early outs. incentives monetary In addition to the pay raise, effective Jan. 1, and the separation incentives, the bill includes $1 billion for the The full request production of one for $1.1 billion to procure 48 in fiscal 1992 and 24 in fiscal 1993 was approved while $560 million was apfor fiscal proved to buy four 1992. Also, $1.5 billion was approved to buy four aircraft. The House and Senate passed the defense bill in November. House and Senate Armed Services conferees authorized $84.3 billion of the president's $82.3 billion budget request for the Air Force. The bill also authorizes the secretary of defense to cancel servicemember debts owed to the United States that were incurred in connection with Desert Storm, not to exceed $2,500 per person. If an individual has already paid the debt, that amount will be refunded, subject to the $2,500 limimid-care- er B-- 2. F-1- 6s F-11- C-1- 7 so inly requiring the Defense Department to establish a commission to study the issue. The commission may ask the defense secretary to conduct a test assigning women to combat positions, officials said. Its report is due to the president by November. The new voluntary separation incentives, authorized until Sept 30, 1995, will be offered to members with more service than six years of active-dut- y but less than the 20 needed for retirement. Those who qualify for the incentive plan will have the option of taking multiyear payments or a lump-supayment. The multiyear payments or voluntary separation incentive would be stretched over a period of time equal to twice the number of years served on active duty. The amount would be 2.5 percent of the person's base pay at the time of separation multiplied by the number of years in service. tation. m The combat exclusion law keeping women out of fighter aircraft has been repealed through the 1992 defense bill, must continue in a Reserve component to get the annual payments. Any Reserve duty qualifies, such as active or inactive Reserve, or Individual Ready Reserve. VSI and SSB payments will be recouped if the member becomes eligible for and receives military retirement pay. Also, VSI payments will be reduced by any basic pay or drill pay the member may become eligible for. Other approved personnel items include: An increase in imminent danger pay from $100 to $150 per month. An increase in the family separation allowance from $60 to $75 per month. B A repeal of the automatic termination of imminent danger pay and family separation allowance in time of war or national emergency. Extension of the pilot bonus tj Sept. 30. Makes those who would have been eligible for the bonus during a after period of lapsed authority still for example Sept. 30, 1991, eligible as long as bonus contracts are signed by Feb. 25. a An increase in CHAMPUS funds by $10 million. - Separation benefit Servicemembers qualifying for the plan and opting for the special sepae ration benefit would get a lump sum payment that equals 1.5 times involuntary separation pay. It also includes the same transition one-tim- benefits that involuntary separated Women in combat tmft people get, officials said. Those accepted for the special separation benefit must serve three years in the Reserve while those opting for the voluntary separation incentive A permanent authority to reimburse military families up to $2,000 for adoption expenses for each adoption, with a maximum of $5,000 a year. The secretary of defense may increase a service end strength by a maximum of 2 percent to avoid in- voluntary separations. mfi D An expanded selective retirement board excludes officers with approved or mandatory retirements in the same or following fiscal year from SERB eligibility. DOD may select for retireand 4 grade officers ment eligible through fiscal 1995. A permanent reduction of the number of Air Force colonels by 250. A reduction in the transition perifor officers in temporary three- - or od four-sta- r grades from 90 to 60 days after the individual leaves the position 0-- 0-- 3 awaiting retirement. Effective Oct. 1, 1996, all officers coming on active duty must serve one year as a Reserve officer before they get a regular commission. The bill also says initial assignment to combat arms, operational or unrestricted line specialties should be based on merit and not source of commission. Additionally, included in the fiscal 1992 DOD Appropriations Bill is a requirement for DOD to pay the unpaid balance of special aviation pay to the beneficiaries of eligible pilots who were killed after Jan. 17 in the Desert Storm theater of operations. The bill also cuts travel funds by $45 million and appropriates $100 million for damages and by military and civilian members and their families during the Mount Pinatubo eruptions in the Philippines. Another $25 million for relocation costs and $25 million to meet unanticipated requirements for disaster relief losses-incurre- d overseas was approved. NEWS BRIEFS Nomination for VISE Awards Women in Science and Engineering is soliciting nominations for the 1992 WISE Awards. The objectives of the WISE Award is to recognize a scientific or technical contribution by a woman scientist in federal service, and to recognize a specific contribution made by a woman scientist in federal service in promoting the entry of girls or the advancement of women in science. The award consists of a plaque and an honorary citation which will be presented at an awards luncheon during the 11th Annual National WISE TrainRosslyn, Va. ing Conference, March For more information and forms call Ext. 77951. 23-2- 6, Productivity, Quality Week displays Department of Defense Productivity and Qualiat Headquarters, ty Week is planned for Jan. Air Force Logistics Command. AFLC plans to display examples of command productivity and quality improvements and other 13-1- 7 e, to toft! i to a sim' nia XVvTW. m I lieu- officers who want to apply for retirement and remove themselves from the eligible pool should submit their applications as soon as possible, personnel officials said. Applications for voluntary retirement to be effective no later than Jan. 1, 1993, must be processed by Jan. 2, 1992, through the consolidated base personnel office. This action is the result of the Fiscal 1992 National Defense Authorization Act. The law also requires that an officer not considered by the SERB because of an approved retirement must retire on the approved date. Only the Secretary of the Air Force can approve a change to the retirement date. 71175. JT -or Colonels and SERB-eligibl- e The Air Force Association is sponsoring a Christmas program at the Moweda Youth Home on Monday. Volunteers are needed to share the Christmas spirit with Moweda residents. The programs will include games, food baskets and a video. Transportation is available. If you are interested in volunteering, contact MSgt. Frederick Blount, Ext. 74539, or SSgt. Michael McGurl, Ext. jX2f?t News Service) sideration. Program volunteers needed z ... C tenant colonels with voluntary mandatory retirement dates in fiscal 1992 and 1993 are no longer eligible for selective early retirement board con- Completed displays should be shipped to arrive at command headquarters by Jan. 6 to allow time to set up the display. Displays must be stand-alontabletop or of a size to display on an easel. Contact Randy Galbraith, Ext. 74428, for more information. i if ( AFLC-AFS- plishments. Ever Get Somebody My Med? Retirement eligibility changed achievements. Ogden ALC has been invited to provide a center-wid- e display depicting accom- U S Department ol Transportawn |