AF selects 38 career intermission program participants Published Jan. 12, 2016 Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Thirty-eight officers and enlisted Airmen were selected to participate in the 2015 Air Force Career Intermission Program, which offers Airmen between one and three years out of uniform to focus on personal and professional pursuits. The 2009 National Defense Authorization Act authorizes each military branch to select up to 20 officer and 20 enlisted members each calendar year to take a sabbatical and seamlessly return to their active-duty or Air Reserve component role. Recommended by a total force panel that convened in September, this year's participants represent various backgrounds, cultures and experiences. They come from a variety of career fields, including logistics, medical, acquisition and operations, and range in rank from staff sergeant through major. Selectees - all regular Air Force as there were no ARC applicants this year - include 21 women (11 enlisted and 10 officers) and 17 men (nine enlisted and eight officers). This year's selectees join 32 Airmen who were selected for the program in 2014. As a retention program, CIP offers top performers an opportunity to accomplish personal or professional goals without separating from the service. Panel members reviewed applicants' military personnel records to assess all factors illustrating their potential to serve the Air Force in the future, including leadership and duty performance, professional qualities and development, depth and breadth of experience, and achievements. The Congressional authority for CIP was extended under the fiscal year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act to Dec. 31, 2019. 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.