This page provides detailed implementation instructions for the FY17 Air Force Reserve AGR Aviation Bonus (AvB) program as approved by the Chief of Air Force Reserve. The FY17 AvB program includes eligibility of all 11X, 12X, and 18X Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) officers with less than 16 years Total Active Federal Military Service (TAFMS). Those officers who meet eligibility criteria may submit an AvB agreement under the terms contained below.
Eligible rated officers should discuss issues with their commander or designated representative. Commanders or designated representatives can often clear up questions and simplify the process.
The AvB approval authority office is the HQ ARPC Special Pay and Incentive Branch (DPAA).
Eligibility
The FY17 AvB program applies to rated personnel who meet eligibility criteria detailed below. Applications may be submitted no earlier than the Total Force AvB program approval date and must be received by HQ ARPC (DPAA) no later than midnight, Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on 30 September 2017*. (*Note: Eligible AGRs whose tours begin after 1 September 2017 have until 15 October 2017 to submit an AvB application.)
An aviator's Primary AFSC will determine tier eligibility.
- Must possess Primary AFSC of 11X, 12X, or 18X
- Must be qualified for operational flying duty IAW AFI 11-401, Aviation Management, and AFI 11-402, Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Aviation Badges, and meet all other requirements for their particular aviation career specialty
- Must be entitled to and receiving Aviation Incentive Pay (AvIP) at the time of contract
- Must be in the pay grade of O-5 or below at the time of contract submission (promotion to O-6 does not prohibit member from completing the contract and payments)
- Must have completed the initial Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT) service commitment. Note: individuals who have joined the AFR through the Palace Chase program must have 10 years of aviation service (YAS) (11X) or 6 YAS (12X or 18X) since UFT graduation]
- Must have less than 16 years TAFMS at the time of contract submission
- Must have less than 24 YAS at the time of contract submission to be eligible for the minimum length AvB contract of 1 year
- Must have a minimum of 1 year on AGR orders to qualify for minimum AvB contract
- Must not be awaiting involuntary separation under AFI 36-3206, Administrative Discharge Procedures for Commissioned Officers
- Must not been dismissed or discharged for cause
- Must not be awaiting an operational flying disqualification resulting from a Flying Evaluation Board (FEB) or a medical disqualification
In the event that any disqualifying action [sections a), b), i), j), or k)] occurs, the AvB payments will stop and any remaining months of unearned AvB will not be paid. AvB payments will stop if member is promoted to a pay grade of O-7 or higher.
All contracts will be paid in annual installments in arrears during the anniversary month of the AvB contract. There is no up-front payment option in the AFR AvB program.
No contract shall commence prior to completion of initial UFT service commitment. All AvB contracts must terminate at 25 YAS, date of separation (DOS), date of retirement, or promotion to O-7, whichever occurs first.
Officers must meet all applicable eligibility requirements. AvB agreement applications submitted without meeting all eligibility and time requirements will be rejected. It is the responsibility of officers and their commanders or designated representatives to evaluate their eligibility for AvB and associated options.
AvB Agreement Rules
Categories and Terms
Tier 1:
- Rated 11X and 18X Pilot AGR officers who have completed their initial UFT commitment and who have not previously received an AvB bonus may choose a 1-3 year initial contract at $30,000 per year.
- Rated 11X and 18X Pilot AGR officers who have completed their initial UFT commitment and who have previously received an AvB bonus may choose a 1-3 year renewal contract at $20,000 per year. A renewal contract is for officers that have completed a previous AvB agreement. Once a previous AvB contract is complete, an officer is authorized to sign a new contract at the "renewal" rate.
- Contracts may be prorated by month at rates of $2,500 (initial) or $1,666 (renewal) to align with AGR tour dates. In no case will contracts be less than 12 months or greater than 36 months.
Tier 2:
- Rated 12X CSO AGR officers who have completed their initial UFT commitment and who have not previously received an AvB bonus may choose a 1-3 year initial contract at $25,000 per year.
- Rated 12X CSO AGR officers who have completed their initial UFT commitment and who have previously received an AvB bonus may choose a 1-3 year renewal contract at $15,000 per year. A renewal contract is for officers that have completed a previous AvB agreement. Once a previous AvB contract is complete, an officer is authorized to sign a new contract at the "renewal" rate.
- Contracts may be prorated by month at rates of $2,083 (initial) or $1,250 (renewal) to align with AGR tour dates. In no case will contracts be less than 12 months or greater than 36 months.
Effective Date
- Initial AvB Contracts
- Renewal AvB Contracts
Agreement Processing
The commander or designated representative will disseminate AvB information, provide counseling sessions and validate each AvB agreement prior to member's submission. Submission of an AvB agreement means that an officer has read and understands the AvB contract.
Commanders, or their designated representatives, should contact HQ ARPC Special Pay and Incentive Branch (DPAA) with any questions or concerns via the Total Force Service Call Center at Comm 210-565-0102 / DSN 665-0102.
AvB Agreement
When ready to enter into an AvB agreement, eligible officers should contact their commander or designated representative for assistance. The commander or designated representative will ensure personal data is accurate:
- E-mail address and phone number
- Date of Separation
- Aviation Service Codes
- Aeronautical rating
- Aviation Service Date (adjustments mandatory for lost Operational Flying Duty Accumulator (OFDA) days after July 2002)
- Military Service Dates
The AvB agreement will include the officer's right-to-privacy with a printed statement "Protected by the Privacy Act of 1974".
AvB Submission
AvB agreements should be submitted to HQ ARPC/DPAA via myPers:
The following material is required upon submission:
- Signed AvB agreement
- Current aeronautical order
- Leave and Earnings Statement w/ Flight Pay
- Current AGR assignment order
A valid AvB agreement, once signed by the member IAW applicable policies, procedures, and guidance, becomes legally binding upon receipt by ARPC/DPAA.
For initial AvB contracts, the effective date will be the date of initial UFT commitment completion and the AGR tour order effective date, or the FY17 AvB Total Force AvB program approval date -- whichever is later. For renewal contracts, the effective date will be no earlier than the day after the previous AvB contract expires, or the FY17 Total Force AvB program approval date - whichever is later.
Acceptance Authority
ARPC/DPAA is the acceptance authority for all AvB agreements. Once validated by the commander or designated representative, the contract shall be submitted.
Release from AvB Contract authority
AGRs requesting release from AvB contract service commitments due to voluntary curtailment, separation or retirement request, must submit a waiver to AFRC/A3 for approval. Apply for waivers through the servicing MPS in conjunction with requests for voluntary curtailment, separation, or retirement.
Note: Waivers should be processed with an AGR Curtailment Worksheet AGR Curtailment Worksheet which also requires AFRC/A3 approval. The approved waiver and curtailment should be submitted to HQ ARPC/DPAA for processing.
Annual Payment
At the end of the contract year, ARPC/DPAA will initiate Case Management System (CMS) actions to accomplish annual payments.
It is the Commander's responsibility to contact ARPC/DPAA as soon as a member is no longer qualified to receive AvB.
Additional Information
Title 10 U.S.C. statutory requirements (e.g. mandatory retirements/separations) will take precedence over Title 37, U.S.C. Section 334, Special aviation incentive pay and bonus authorities for officers.
Officers interested in having a portion of their AvB deposited into their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts must apply for this via the myPay and military TSP online systems. They should review TSP requirements prior to entering into an AvB agreement. AvB agreement processing will not be intentionally held back to accommodate the start of an officer's TSP election.