3-year Korea option opens up to federal employees

  • Published
  • By April Rowden
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Office
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A 36-month tour option has been approved for federal employees accepting accompanied tours to select bases in Korea, a move designed to create greater continuity of operations, increased long-term savings, and an improved quality of life for civilian employees and their families.

A memorandum by Gail McGinn, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, cited "new military policy, the improved status of living conditions, better housing, more amenities, and the overall condition of Korea" as some of the motivators for this adjustment.

Employees who initially signed up for a 24-month assignment and are waiting to report to Korea, and those who are currently fulfilling their 24-month tour, may extend to 36 months at the discretion of the organization and with the guidance of the local civilian personnel section.

The availability of the 36-month option will be determined at the time of the job offer. All 36-month tours and monetary incentives are at the discretion of the gaining agency.

All unaccompanied tours remain 12 months.

Job announcements for Air Force civilian jobs in Korea can be found using the Air Force civilian job site at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/afcivilianjobs/.

The three-year option comes on the heels of a similar policy change earlier this year that allows active-duty Airmen the same flexibility for accompanied tours to Korea.

"This initiative is another example of how we are actively supporting our civilian Air Force families, which is quite appropriate in this Year of the Air Force Family," said Steven Harris, deputy director of Air Force Personnel Center's Directorate of Civilian Force Integration here.

For more information, Airmen may call the 24-hour Air Force Total Force Service Center at (800) 525-0102.