Air Force opens Career Intermission Program application window

  • Published
  • By Kat Bailey
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  Air Force officials are accepting applications for the Career Intermission Program through Sept. 12 from active duty and career status active guard and reserve Airmen.

CIP provides select Airmen the opportunity for a one-time temporary transition from active duty to the Individual Ready Reserve - for up to three years - to meet personal or professional needs outside the service while also providing a mechanism for a seamless return to active duty.

"The long-term intent of this program is to retain the valuable experience and training of Airmen that might otherwise be lost by permanent separation," said Adriana Bazan, Military Personnel Specialist, Career Intermission Program, Air Force Personnel Center.

Program participants sign an agreement that says they will to return to active duty in the same component from which they separated, and serve two months of active duty for every month of CIP participation.

New this year, Airmen currently receiving a Critical Skills Retention Bonus may apply, provided their application is based on an unanticipated hardship. In the past, if they received a CSRB, they were ineligible for CIP.

Airmen in the program receive a monthly stipend equal to one-fifteenth of their basic pay and retain full active-duty medical and dental benefits for themselves and their eligible dependents. They'll also be able to carry forward their leave balance as long as it doesn't exceed 60 days. 

Both Airmen of a military couple may apply for CIP participation in their own right, provided both are otherwise eligible. 

Bazan notes that approval is not guaranteed.

"Air Force manning and mission requirements will be considered when evaluating applications for approval or disapproval," she said. "We tell all Airmen applying for CIP that they shouldn't begin outside employment or relocate their families based on an assumption their application will be approved."

Time spent in CIP doesn't count toward eligibility for retirement, computation of total years of service, years of aviation service or years of service towards basic pay; nor are participants eligible for promotion consideration while in CIP.

The Total Force selection panel is scheduled to convene in October at the Air Force Personnel Center. 

Additional information and eligibility requirements can be found on myPers; select "Any" from the search function and enter keyword "CIP."

For more information about Air Force personnel programs, go to the myPers website. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following these instructions on the Air Force Retirees Services website.