Combat rescue, special tactics retention bonuses available Published April 3, 2009 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Thanks to a $2.5 million deposit from the Department of Defense, qualified special operations officers are now eligible for a maximum of $100,000 in critical skills retention bonus money if they voluntarily extend their active-duty service commitment for up to four years. "The consistently high demand for our limited number of combat rescue and special tactics officers makes it crucial that we retain as many as of these seasoned officers as possible on active duty," said Maj. J.T. Goodson, chief of Airfield Operations, Special Tactics and Combat Rescue Assignments at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "These officers have experience and skills that we simply can't afford to lose." Recognizing the additional necessity to retain those nearing retirement, Air Force officials included a provision in the critical skills retention bonus that allows those who are less than four years from mandatory retirement to incur a two or three year ADSC. Approximately 120 officers have been pre-identified as eligible for this bonus. They are eligible for $25,000 per year of additional ADSC they incur. To qualify for the CSRB, officers must meet several criteria, including, but not limited to, the following: -- Must have a core identification and be fully qualified as a 13D, Control and Recovery; -- Must not have applied for or have an approved date of separation less than four years out from the 13D CSRB effective date; -- Completed their Initial Skills Training and Initial Obligation of Service ADSCs; and -- Cannot be receiving any other retention bonuses. The retention monies are not associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. For more information on CSRB qualifications, e-mail airfieldops@randolph.af.mil, visit AFPC's "Ask" Web site, or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102 or DSN 665-5000.