Force Shaping Boards

divinemsbee · January 2014

Is anyone else/'s H dealing with the uncertainty right now? At first H was told that force shaping shouldn't affect his career field at all, there aren't that many of them and they're understaffed at Captain and Major levels. Then it was since he will already have his promotion line number (he passed boards and promotes to Captain this July) he wouldn't be going before them. Then it was an everybody panic/oh shit it's all of us situation (seriously, his office was chaos for a good week in mid-January). What we know now is that the boards meet in July and results should be available by August. Until H hears differently, it looks like everyone in his year group in his career field will be going up before the boards. There are 33 people and 5 will be 'force shaped.' It's making both of us really on edge. Especially because unless they release more info or narrow down the people, we won't have any idea if he's going to be able to continue in his job. At this moment, we have no idea where we will be a year from now. And it is panic-inducing to an extreme level and I don't know how to manage stress over that kind of time period. I do want to say that both H and I are a bit 'Chicken Little' by nature, and that I realize H has a very good chance of staying in. He's great at his job, earns awards, and has done some major studies in his field. It's really getting to him because he loves his job and loves the Air Force and this was what he wanted to do until retirement. He works with a lot of people who are just doing their commitment and getting out, but they aren't up for shaping because their year groups aren't shaping, and it's causing a bit of resentment because they'll only be there another few years and peace out, whereas H wants this as his career. Has anyone been through this before? Any guidance? Anyone who is AD or has experience being in, H is considering writing a letter to go into his file that goes to the boards. Basically saying how he wants this to be a career. Is that a good idea?

lyssa61189 · January 2014

Keep in mind the amount that needs to be "force shaped" changes monthly.. I am enlisted however that much is the same.. earlier this month I was eligible as well but they recently released new numbers for each career field and rank and no longer qualify (thankfully).. tell ur hubby to keep an eye out on mypers because it changes ALL the time

LaciJaxx · January 2014

I feel those with negative OER's, poor PT scores, poor attitude/work ethic will be the first to go.

My dh is a "lifer" CPT-promotable, AD Army with nearly 10 years and it's been noted on atleast a few of his OER's. I think that might be a better place to have it noted than any sort of letter from your dh. I'm just not sure where such a letter would go and who would see it.

My hubby and I were also just recently discussing how many people are voluntarily seperating. He knows of a few who are seperating with years of service still remaining. It seems they are just signing people out with no regard.

Best wishes!!!!

AlouetteBeans · January 2014

65% of MH's AFSC year group is getting force shaped... so... yeah, those odds are not great (although not the worst I have heard).

I don't really know if I would write a letter like that or what it would help, but he could ask some senior people about it. All he can do really is steady the course and KOKO.

Avion22 · January 2014

He should get his commander's advice on whether or not a letter is a good idea. I've only ever heard it recommend for people who have some kind of discrepancy or something that they want to address in their file -- like something that is wrong that the member has attempted to correct, but hasn't been corrected yet. OR I've seen it recommended that members write a letter if they want to address some kind of administrative action that was taken against them (like a LOC/LOR, Referral OPR, or just a bad OPR).

I would think that if his record is otherwise good (and accurate) there would be no reason for him to write a letter to the Force Shaping Board. Otherwise, his RRF (retention recommendation form, which is signed by his rater) should address his desire to stay for a career.

jasminelorraine20 · January 2014

Not my H but I am. I am active duty Air Force and this is affecting me and my co-workers a great deal. They're having plenty of briefings and this is definitely something you want to be prepared for financially and emotionally. At this rate, anything can happen and we'll all find out for sure come late summer. Just make sure all of your H's records are up to date.

jasminelorraine20 · January 2014

One more thing. Do not write a letter! It will not make a difference, and it is ultimately not up to his commander if he stays or goes. The force shaping program is computerized and they don't care about anything other than his performance reports, and records in the system. I would prepare for the worst, but please tell your H to not let this affect his work performance.

beccalee721 · January 2014

I don't see how the letter could hurt. I am AD AF enlisted and I heard it was recommended if you have a discrepancy in your file that you want to clear up, but I think it might show that you're willing to put a little more effort into it. I agree that he should discuss this with his commander. I know the guys in my office who were eligible for force shaping have to meet one on one with our commander, so I don't see why officers wouldn't get the same.

divinemsbee · January 2014

Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate the experiences. The one discrepancy for H on his record is that he had a shoulder completely give out during a PT test a few years ago. It was an injury, he went on profile for the shoulder, and he made up the test after some physical therapy. He was told the test where the injury happened would be taken off his record. He's working to make sure it's off an all of his continuing education is on there. He has a meeting with his commander early next week to talk about how to best present himself. The thing we're dealing with is that the commander plays definite favorites and H isn't one of them. H respects him as his commander, but doesn't really trust him, and that's an issue that's coming into play as far as knowing that H is getting the best advice.

jasminelorraine20 · January 2014

divinemsbee said:

Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate the experiences. The one discrepancy for H on his record is that he had a shoulder completely give out during a PT test a few years ago. It was an injury, he went on profile for the shoulder, and he made up the test after some physical therapy. He was told the test where the injury happened would be taken off his record. He's working to make sure it's off an all of his continuing education is on there. He has a meeting with his commander early next week to talk about how to best present himself. The thing we're dealing with is that the commander plays definite favorites and H isn't one of them. H respects him as his commander, but doesn't really trust him, and that's an issue that's coming into play as far as knowing that H is getting the best advice.

This may be a problem. Ultimately it may come down to the boards wanting the commander to choose who he wants to stay and who he wants to give up, so if the commander already has favorites then I would bet on him choosing them over your H. It isn't fair in the least, but that's the reality of the situation right now. I do think it's a good idea that he's meeting with him, but also have him meet with the first sergeant- he will be just as helpful and if there's anything the commander is holding back then he has another option.

beccalee721 · February 2014

jasminelorraine20 said:

divinemsbee said:

Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate the experiences. The one discrepancy for H on his record is that he had a shoulder completely give out during a PT test a few years ago. It was an injury, he went on profile for the shoulder, and he made up the test after some physical therapy. He was told the test where the injury happened would be taken off his record. He's working to make sure it's off an all of his continuing education is on there. He has a meeting with his commander early next week to talk about how to best present himself. The thing we're dealing with is that the commander plays definite favorites and H isn't one of them. H respects him as his commander, but doesn't really trust him, and that's an issue that's coming into play as far as knowing that H is getting the best advice.

This may be a problem. Ultimately it may come down to the boards wanting the commander to choose who he wants to stay and who he wants to give up, so if the commander already has favorites then I would bet on him choosing them over your H. It isn't fair in the least, but that's the reality of the situation right now. I do think it's a good idea that he's meeting with him, but also have him meet with the first sergeant- he will be just as helpful and if there's anything the commander is holding back then he has another option.

I don't know if it's different for officers vs enlisted, but for the enlisted the squadron commander doesn't have a say in who to let go and who to keep for this board. Unlike the separations they've done in the past, the individuals being told to they have been selected to separte are being chosen by AFPC. The individual in my office who is eligible has to make a package to present showing why the AF should keep him, but it's not up to the squadron commanders. They did that to try to prevent the "good ole boy" club from intervening.

TLGBaby2 · May 2014

They did a Tattoo Inventory on all ARMY at BAMC working in the OR yesterday morning as part of "Force Shaping" , seems a little extreme to me, but i guess they are trying to see who is following regulations.

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