ARPC prepares for additional Reserve positions

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Belinda Petersen
  • Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Officials at the Air Force Reserve Command from Robins AFB, Georgia, announced this morning the possible restoration of 2,100 manpower positions to the Air Force Reserve, which would increase the Air Force Reserve's presence in a number of mission areas.

The Department of Defense budget request for fiscal year 2016 includes a number of proposed changes for the Air Force Reserve and if enacted into law, the DOD budget request would include restoring these manpower positions.

"The budget request ensures the Air Force Reserve will remain an integrated, flexible and combat-ready force," said Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson, chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command. "The additional manpower will allow the Air Force Reserve to support Air Force requirements in new and existing missions in the F-35, F-16, C-17, ISR and Cyber."

Officials at the Air Reserve Personnel Center are preparing for these changes now, including possible assignments that would meet the Air Force Reserve mission while taking care of Reserve members.

"The vast majority of our people serve locally on a part-time basis, and force structure changes pose significant challenges for reservists," Jackson said. "I will ensure that Reserve leaders at every level are doing everything they can to help reservists through the transition."

"One of the best ways for current participating Reserve members to have a voice on what they would like to do, whether it's an assignment, cross-training, or education, is to complete their Reserve Development Plan, or R-DP," said Lt. Col. John Maser, chief of Reserve Force Development. ARPC is the execution agent for force development within the Air Force Reserve. Force development is designed to improve the way Citizen Airmen are developed through education, training and career opportunities.

The purpose of the R-DP is to allow participating Reserve Airmen to communicate their career goals to senior leaders within their career field, such as what type of participation category they are willing to accept and if they would like to be considered for educational, command, or key leadership opportunities.

To complete an R-DP, visit myPers. Click on the vPC dashboard link, then find the "Action Requests" tab and click on R-DP. Each development team reviews the R-DP and vectors (recommendations on assignments, education, and other leadership opportunities) are sent to the individual via email, uploaded to their development plan and stored until the next visit to update their R-DP. Airmen should discuss their vectors with their leadership and contact their career field assignment facilitator at ARPC to discuss opportunities.

To view the DT schedule for 2015, visit myPers and type "DT schedule 2015" in the search box. Besides development team events, ARPC also executes special boards, school selection boards, and manages the joint qualification system program.

Individual Ready Reserve members and active-duty members considering the Air Force Reserve should speak with an in-service recruiter for more details on Reserve assignments.

Reserve members are encouraged to find more information on myPers. For additional assistance, members can contact the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102. "One of our goals is to deliver customer-focused service," said Brig. Gen. Samuel "Bo" Mahaney, ARPC commander. "Our customer service representatives are here to take care of our Airman.  They are steadfast wingmen and will help Reserve Airmen overcome any challenge."

(The Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs Office contributed to this story.)