The Air Force has approved an enhanced base of preference (BOP) program for first-term and career Airmen. The new program allows First-Term Airmen (FTA) to apply for a continental United States (CONUS)-to-CONUS BOP, or an Overseas-to-CONUS BOP in addition to an in-place BOP (IPBOP).
Those individuals already on assignment, FTA who have already reenlisted, those who have an assignment selection date, or have already forecasted from the overseas area, are not authorized to request consideration for a BOP. These individuals will be able to apply when meeting the eligibility rules outlined in AFI 36-2110, Assignments.
FIRST-TERM AIRMAN REQUIREMENTS
FTA must have and approved career job reservation (CJR) prior to application and must submit their BOP requests prior to reenlistment.
There is no minimum time-on-station (TOS) for an FTA applying for an IPBOP. However, an FTA who wishes to move, permanent change of station (PCS), under this program must complete 12 months TOS before the departure date. Individuals approved for a BOP are authorized a two-year assignment deferment.
First-term Airmen serving overseas may request BOP consideration after they receive their date eligible for return from overseas (DEROS) Election Option RIP or Forecast Notification RIP. Airmen must obtain the minimum PCS retainability for CONUS PCS in order to apply for Overseas-to-CONUS BOP consideration. Airmen may list up to eight CONUS bases for both the CONUS-to-CONUS and Overseas-to-CONUS BOP. The preferences will be considered in the exact order listed. Airmen requesting overseas-to-CONUS BOPs will be reassigned through the normal overseas returnee process if BOP is disapproved.
The option for FTA to apply for a BOP in conjunction with retraining still exists.
FTA BOP applications are considered on a monthly-basis. If you are a FTA and 60 days have passed since your in-system application, you may request status through your local personnel office.
CAREER AIRMAN REQUIREMENTS
Career Airmen may apply for either an IPBOP or CONUS-to-CONUS BOP. Airmen must have 41 months TOS at the time of application and at least four years TOS before PCS departure. Career Airmen must not be selected for PCS or have an assignment selection date (ASD). In addition, Airmen must not be an overseas volunteer or have any other voluntary applications pending. Applicants must be eligible for PCS without waivers. Consecutive BOPs in any combination are not authorized. Individuals approved for a BOP will appreciate a two-year assignment deferment.
Military couples are eligible; however, each individual must request BOP consideration and be eligible in their own right. AFI 36-2110, Assignments, for specific rules pertaining to the BOP program and military couples.
For career Airmen BOP applications, these applications are considered quarterly (e.g. March, June, September, and December) after each overseas returnee/CONUS mandatory-mover cycle. Therefore, if 130 days have elapsed from the month your application should have been considered, you may request status through your local personnel office.