air force portal assignments

ASSIGNMENTS

  Welcome to the Active Duty Assignment home page. This page will provide enlisted personnel critical information about various assignment programs, career fields, special duty assignments, and links to other resources related to enlisted assignments. For issues and questions concerning assignments, please use the button below.

ASSIGNMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The Assignment Management System (AMS) is a web application that houses multiple applications in support of officer assignments, enlisted assignments, commander responsibilities, and individual Air Force members. Users have access to a portion of their own personnel data and the ability to use manning tools, volunteer for available assignments, and review career field information using AMS. AMS personnel data, frequently referred to as Single Unit Retrieval Format (SURF), is not the official system of record for your personnel information and should not be used in place of Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS). Information displayed in AMS is updated from MilPDS once each week. To update personnel information in AMS, contact your local Military Personnel Flight (MPF) for corrections to MilPDS. If you have specific questions concerning your AMS account, please send an email to [email protected] . If you are experiencing problems with the AMS application, please contact the A1 Service Desk .

The appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Air Force or Department of Defense.

Air Force Dream Sheet: How to Update

Active duty service members have wanted to influence where they get stationed since the beginning of the modern United States Military. In the United States Air Force, we have a “dream sheet” or a list of preferred military bases that is taken into consideration when the Air Force Personnel Center gives out assignments. 

It is important to make sure that you keep your dream sheet up to date, and to refresh it at the right time if you want to maximize your chances of getting an assignment. Whether you hate your first assignment, you just wouldn’t mind a change of scenery, or just want to have a say in your next assignment, this guide will tell you step for step, how to update your dream sheet in the Air Force. 

SKIP TO: 

Air Force Portal  

Air Force Personnel Center 

Assignment Management System  

Virtual Military Personnel Flight 

Tips for Updating Your Dream Sheet  

Basic Training Dream Sheet.

Air Force Portal 

The first step to updating your dream sheet is to log on to the Air Force Portal . This will be the home page where you navigate your way around most things in the Air Force. 

To navigate where we need to go, we need to hover over the Career and Training tab. Under the selections that we are given, we will click on AFPC secure. 

AFPC is used to navigate everything administrative wise that relates to assignments, records, and promotions. For the purpose of updating our dream sheet we will need to open two links through the main menu. The AMS link and the vMPF link. I recommend right clicking to “open in a new tab.” 

Assignment Management System 

The AMS link will bring you to the Assignment Management System. We use this website to see which bases we can go to with our assigned career fields or AFSC. You want to know this information because there would be no point in putting a location on your dream sheet if you cannot even go there because of your AFSC. 

The reason not every AFSC can go to every Air Force base is because there are different weapons systems and aircraft at every base.

To find out which bases you can go to hover over the Enlisted Assignments tab, and click Enlisted Authorized. 

In the next page, find your AFSC in the drop down tab. If you have a “shred” make sure you include the last letter of your AFSC. 

Now, select your Skill Level. If you are a new airman at your first base, you’ll be a 3 level. After that, click the Get Authorizations button. 

A list should populate telling you where you are authorized an assignment at. You’ll use these to update your dream sheet.

Virtual Military Personnel Flight 

Now that we know the locations we can actually go to, we’ll go to the vMPF website through the AFPC site we used earlier. The vMPF website is used to keep all of your military records consolidated in one place.  

Once you get logged on click the Self-Service actions button. 

Under the Self-Service Actions menu, click the Assignments link. 

Now, we’ll be in an Assignment Applications menu. Click on the Assignment Preference (EAP) link. 

After clicking this link, you’ll be brought to a page with an introduction to assignment preferences. Click on View/Change Assignment Preferences.  

Now, you are finally in the menu where you can update your dream sheet! There’s two boxes where you can make selections. The top box is for CONUS bases, and the bottom box is for OCONUS bases. 

Scroll through the list on the left, click the base you like, and select the right arrow between the two boxes to move it over to your assignment preferences box. You can adjust the priority of them by clicking your selection, and clicking the up or down arrows on the right. 

The OCONUS assignments are all overseas locations. You’ll notice some verbiage you may be unfamiliar with such as short tour, long tour, and extended long tour. 

Short tour is any location in which an accompanied tour is not authorized or a location in which unaccompanied tour length is less than 18 months and the accompanied tour length is 24 months. This is hard on military families. 

If you put a short tour on your dream sheet, it’ll jump ahead of your OCONUS priority. It doesn’t matter if you have it in the last position or the first, if there’s an opening and you’re qualified to go, you’ll be selected. 

Long tour is any location in which both accompanied and unaccompanied tour is authorized. If you want your dependents to come, make sure they are documented in DEERs and they are on your orders when you get them. 

Long tours are 18 months or more. There’s the option for standard tours and extended tours. Standard tours means you just complete the standard amount of time that the assignment is normally given. 

Extended means add a year to your assignment. For example, when I was given an assignment to Japan, I was on an extended long tour, which since I was married meant 3 years plus 1 year. I did not understand this upon accepting the assignment. 

The benefit of extended tours is that you should receive assignment consideration ahead of those who only volunteer for a standard tour. That means you’ll be more likely to get selected for an assignment if you want to go overseas. The main difference is that you have a higher priority, but you’ll be locked in for an extra year.  

After you make your selections and you’re happy with your prioritization, select the submit button at the bottom. 

Make sure you go to the next screen and verify that you have a success notification. 

If you have the success notification then congratulations! You have successfully updated your dream sheet. 

Tips for Updating Your Dream Sheet

You are responsible for keeping your dream sheet current. Make sure that you date your assignment preferences whenever you need to to include getting married or completing a PCS. 

You will not be released from an assignment because your preferences are out of date or you have made no preference selections. It takes very special circumstances for an assignment to be canceled.

In the AMS website there are some listings to make note of. There’s the Overseas listing and the Overseas Returnee/CONUS Mandatory Mover listing. These general cycles get updated regularly throughout the year, and if you update your dream sheet based on these listings, you will increase your odds of getting an assignment.

The available slots are normally most abundant during the spring cycle because it is peak PCS season.

The Overseas listing in AMS advertises available slots at overseas USAF bases. There is a somewhat short period of this window that you should review the available assignments overseas and refresh your dream sheet if you want one of the positions.

The best bet is to refresh it one time at the beginning on the window and don’t touch it anymore because if you continually refresh it every day your name goes to the bottom of the pile.

If you really want an  overseas assignment , make sure you put extended long tours and short tours on your dream sheet. This will increase your odds of going overseas. 

Don’t leave your dream sheet completely blank just because you do not want to receive an assignment. At a minimum, make your dream sheet in order of preference for CONUS locations. If you do not want to go overseas, then don’t put overseas assignments on your dream sheet. 

The entire process of updating your dream sheet is a little out of date, and the websites are old and terrible. Be patient with the systems and knock it out.

Basic Training Dream Sheet

In Basic Military Training , you should have the opportunity to create a dream sheet for selection first duty assignment. This will happen when you are granted an AFSC. If you know what your Air Force Specialty Code is going into basic, then I highly recommend having your recruiter look up the bases that you can go to before you ship out to BMT.

If they do not know how, reference the Assignment Management System section of this article. Create your own “dream sheet” by looking at the bases that you can go to with your assigned career field and have an idea of your preferred location before you go to basic.

When you create your dream sheet in basic training, that’ll be used to generate you an assignment while your in tech school. From the training pipeline, you’ll go to your first permanent duty station

If you do not know your specific AFSC going into basic training. At a minimum, brush up on your high school geography before you ship out. For example, if you want to stay on the west coast, brush up on all of the west coast bases in the Air Force so you can recognize them in BMT.

Enlisted Experience

Military life is hard, and not knowing where you’ll be in a year or two is tough. Updating your dream sheet to reflect your assignment preferences is the best way to have a little clarity in a murky general assignment process.

The bottom line is that the needs of the Air Force comes first. But, the good news is that your preferences are taken into consideration so make sure that your Dream Sheet is up to date.

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AFPC adopting innovative officer assignment system IT platform

• Published April 19, 2018
• By Kat Bailey
• Air Force’s Personnel Center Public Affairs

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ADLS training courses transition to “myLearning” as first step in force development learning management system

As part of Air Education and Training Command’s efforts to aggressively and cost-effectively modernize education and training, Airmen and Guardians can access the “myLearning” digital platform on the Air Force Portal beginning March 18, 2021. Users are advised they should complete all training coursework in ADLS not later than March 10. The ADLS website will be inaccessible to users March 26. (U.S. Air Force graphic / Dan Hawkins)

‘myLearning’ live on AF Portal; users asked to create accounts on or after dates specific to MAJCOM assignment

• Published March 18, 2021
• Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --   Airmen and Guardians can now access “ myLearning ” via the Air Force Portal, with the first phase of the new system’s initial operating capability being a modernized and interactive training platform that allows users to access training modules previously found on the Advanced Distributed Learning Service (ADLS).

To reduce stress on the system and increase user experience, and based on their major command of assignment, users should log-in to “ myLearning ” at  https://lms-jets.cce.af.mil  to establish accounts on or after the below assigned dates:

· AF-AFRICA: March 18

· USAFE: March 19

· Air Combat Command: March 22

· Air Education and Training Command: March 23

· Air Force Reserve Command: March 24

· Air Force Global Strike Command: March 24

· Pacific Air Forces: March 24  (Korea/Japan March 25)

· Air Force Material Command:  March 25

· Air Force Special Operations Command: March 26

· Air Mobility Command: March 26

The AETC Learning Services division is launching the new secure learning management system (LMS) that will enable student learning, automation and reporting for roughly 800,000 Total Force users in three phases, with the first phase being the ADLS migration,

“Our training systems that support Force Development must be relevant to today’s Airmen so we can accelerate the change we need to keep pace with the fast-paced virtual learning world,” said Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, AETC director of operations and communications. “To develop an Airman’s competencies to out-think and out-perform any adversary in complex operational environments, we need to leverage modern information technology…myLearning helps us modernize how we train our force.”

The ADLS website will be automatically redirected to " myLearning " March 27.

“Users who log in to myLearning March 18 may not initially see their historical training transcripts reflected in the system,” said Denise Padilla-Rorie, AETC myLearning program manager, said while emphasizing patience with the new system. “The transcript data is scheduled to migrate into myLearning.”

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Select a topic from the list, how do i restore access if i have forgotten my password, why is my new password not working, how do i register for an af portal account, why can't i access the dropdown menus in "my profile/personal details", why do i need an af portal account.

• General Information

What is the Air Force Portal?

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• Account Registration

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Log in with your user name and password before you register a new cac., can retirees and dependents register, can foreign affiliates/nationals register, where can i find a copy of the af portal form 41, what is the account verification process, how long does it take to get the registration email, what does it mean when i get the message "ssn # already exists", the email said i couldn't self-register, what's next, how is my ssn information protected.

• Problems Logging In and Errors

How do I retrieve my password and username?

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• Instant Messaging and Email

What is Air Force Instant Messenger (AFIM)?

What are the rules of engagement for afim, how do i access afim, how do i unblock a user, how do i add a friend and family member to afim, what if my friend and family member has a problem with afim, how do i get a chat room created, why can't i use other instant messaging services, what is the "email" link in the top right corner, where does the email address in "my profile/personal details" come from.

• Communities of Practice (COP)

What is a Community of Practice (COP)?

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• What's the difference between a COP versus a Community of Interest (COI)?
• Content Questions

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Where is my application, how can i find base information, why don't all bases have web pages available on the af portal, how do i add my bookmarked favorites to web favorites, what is a content manager, who is my content manager, why am i unable to locate a user in the air force portal white pages, why can't i get the search results i expect.

• Customization & My Profile

How do I customize/personalize my AF Portal account?

Why didn't my customization changes save, what are roles, who do i contact to add roles i need, what aef am i, what if i don't find my majcom/foa/dru or base/location, i changed my name, how do i update my username.

• About AF Portal Help

Where can I find AF Portal Tutorials and Training Materials?

How do i contact the help desk, how long does it take the help desk to answer calls and return emails.

If you have forgotten your password you can restore access quickly with an online tool by selecting it from the Login page. Using the auto-tool is the fastest way to get back online because help desk call volume can mean long wait times.

When you complete the information in the auto-tool . all fields are required . a new password will be sent to the email listed in your AF Portal account profile. To protect your account security, we will verify this information against our records before the email is sent. You should receive your new password within 24-hours, and may contact us by phone if there is a delay beyond that time.

This tool will NOT WORK for four known conditions:

• You changed your email due to a PCS move and it no longer matches the email in your AF Portal account profile
• You are a foreign national and do not have a Social Security number
• You have three successive failed attempts to login and are therefore locked out of the AF Portal
• You have not logged into the AF Portal in six months

If any of these conditions apply to you, do not use the restore access tool . instead, you must contact the helpdesk. You will need to login within 24-hours of requesting this temporary password, or you will need to request a new password again. You will be prompted to change your password at login. Please note that on the Change Your Password screen, the "Old" password will be the one that was just emailed to you and the "New" password will be one that you will create at that time. You will need to enter the "New" password two times for access.

Windows might be storing your password. If Microsoft Windows prompted you to check a box to remember the password, this will cause problems when your password changes. It also causes security vulnerabilities. You should not store your password(s) in windows to avoid these problems.

I. Turn off Autocomplete

• Go to the Tools bar on the top of your browser page.
• Go to Internet Options.
• Click on the Content Tab.
• Click on the AutoComplete Button.
• Under AutoComplete Settings, make sure that you only have the "Web Addresses" box checked.
• Click on Clear Passwords and Clear Forms.
• Click "OK" out of all boxes/screens to return to the Internet Browser.
• At this time, please open a new Browser, log into the Portal and change your password following the Password rules given to you on the page.

II. Clear your temporary Internet files

• Select Tools on your browser.
• Select Internet Options.
• In the GENERAL Tab, Delete Cookies, Delete Files and Clear History.

Personnel must have a Common Access Card (CAC) in order to register for the AF Portal. This is consistent with DoD policy requiring all personnel to have a CAC by April 2004. Personnel who do not have a CAC should follow local procedures of their servicing MPF to obtain a CAC.

After 48 hours from CAC issuance, users can attempt self-registration through the AF Portal at https://www.my.af.mil .

Users with questions or problems after the 48-hour time period should contact their assigned Content Manager.

These fields represent the information that you entered when you first registered for your AF Portal account.

• In order for this to be changed, you must first contact your Content Manager and request to have this deleted or updated from your account.
• Content Managers are the responsible POCs for ensuring this data is accurate. The list of Content Managers and contact information can be accessed from the Library Tab under the AF Portal Documentation section for users who have logged into the system.
• Once these roles have been removed, these fields will be available for you to make changes if, and when, you please.

If you still need assistance, please contact the helpdesk.

Some of the many benefits you will realize by having an AF Portal account are:

• A one stop shop for applications like myPay, IT E-Learning, Fitness Management, OLVIMS, SMART, and vMPF
• Fewer passwords to remember
• A Single and Consistent user experience
• Collaboration Tools like the Communities of Practice and Instant Messaging

You can think of it as the Air Force.s worldwide Intranet. It is available to all users anytime and anywhere an Internet connection is available from .com or .mil connections. The AF Portal and allows you to quickly find authoritative, relevant data and information, applications and collaboration tools to help you do your job and live your life in the USAF.

Here is a sample of what you can do at the AF Portal: Eliminate numerous passwords When an application uses reduced sign-on, it accepts your AF Portal ID and password or CAC PIN. The Air Force.s goal is for your AF Portal account to enable access to all your applications.

Your portal, your way.

Customize page content in the MY WORKSPACE tab so the most used information and applications are right up front.

Get relevant information.

Once your profile is complete, the MY BASE and MY ORG tabs match your location and job.

Gain control with self-service applications.

Take care of business wherever you are, 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. You will find vMPF, my Pay, AFPC Secure and the Air Force Fitness Management System on the AF Portal. Stop waiting in line, go online!

Connect worldwide, with security and reliability.

Simplify your Internet experience with worldwide access, 24x7 . from home, work or while deployed . with confidence in the latest security and a site that knows you.

Collaborate with Instant Messenger.

Enjoy real-time communications with other AF Portal members.

Collaborate with Air Force Knowledge Now.

Tap into functional expertise, tools and documents. Make connections to solve common problems, develop skills and share common practices . no matter where you are stationed.

Internet Explorer is the only browser fully supported. Other browser types are not fully supported; however, they do function with limited capability when accessing the AF Portal.

Please check the following link to verify minimum and recommended software requirements. Ask your Workgroup Manager for assistance verifying your software configuration and/or performing required upgrades.

The AF Portal times out after a period of inactivity to save server resources. When you click a link, application, or capability AFTER you have reached this threshold inactivity time, you will be taken back to the AF Home Page but do not need to log in again.

The reason that you are seeing the "Security Alert" dialog box display is that the DoD Trusted Certificate Chain is not installed on your desktop. If this is a DoD workstation, please contact your Workgroup Manager to update your desktop. More information on this process can be found at https://afpki.lackland.af.mil/html/rootchaininstallation.asp .

If this is a Personal Computer with CAC enabled access connecting from the Internet, installation instructions and software can be found here: https://afpki.lackland.af.mil/html/trustingthedodpki.asp . Note that the web site is CAC restricted.

If this is a Personal Computer without CAC, right click the following link and select Save Target As from the menu (recommend saving to your desktop): https://www.my.af.mil/afp/netstorage/faq/NIPRDODCerts_v3_0.EXE . To run, double click the downloaded file to start execution. Installation will be silent and automatic. No reboot is necessary.

Users with questions or problems after the 48-hour time period should contact the Field Assistance Service FAS.

For more information about the account registration process, click here.

If you have not logged into the AF Portal within the past 60 days with your user name and password you will need to do so prior to registration of a new CAC in order to update your expired password. A valid user name and password are required for CAC registration. Passwords for users logging in without CAC expire every 60 days, per AFMAN 33-223.

Click the "Reset Your Password: on the AF Portal Login Screen at https://www.my.af.mil and follow the directions. If that option fails, please contact the helpdesk.

Currently, the AF Portal team is focused on delivering capabilities to the military, civil service community and base support contractors.

In the long term, the AF Portal will support the entire AF community: Active Duty, Reserve, Air National Guard, civil servants, retirees, dependents, and our support contractors.

As we evolve the AF Portal we intend to offer capabilities to our retired and dependent communities such as quality of life information and self-service personnel and financial applications. Please stay tuned to the AF Portal and the AF Link public website over the next year for more information on AF Portal registration for retirees and dependents.

The current GCSS guidance regarding AF Portal access for Foreign Affiliates is contained below. The term Foreign Affiliates (FAs) refers to all Local and Foreign Nationals.

All FAs are now assigned a standard 9-digit unique identifier called a Foreign National ID number. FAs can get their ID information from their Civilian Personnel Office (CPO). The new 9 digit unique identifier is alpha/numeric (alpha in the middle two characters). The Field Assistance Branch (FAB) has been directed to have Foreign Affiliates fill out an AF Portal Form 41 with this Foreign National ID number.

Once a valid Form 41 is received, the AF Portal Operations Team will create your account. The Form 41 will still have to be signed by the appropriate approval level. A signature of Security Officer validating a National Agency Check (NAC) and a signature of an AF Military/Civilian sponsor validating need is mandatory.

The AF Portal Form 41 can be accessed at the following link AF Portal Form 41. Signed copies of this form must be faxed to the Air Force Portal Program Office (DSN 596-1040, Commercial 334-416-1040), at which time the account will be created.

After you have completed registration, the AF Portal will check the AF Directory Services database that includes all AF personnel. If that check fails, there is a secondary database check at the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC).

The e-mail should be sent within minutes, but it may take hours for e-mail systems to pass the message. If you do not receive a response within 24 hours, please check your junk mail folder in your email first and then contact the AF Portal Help Desk.

If you attempt to register for an AF Portal account and receive a message stating your SSN# already exists this means you have already registered for an account. Click the "Reset Your Password" on the AF Portal Login Screen at https://www.my.af.mil and follow the directions to retrieve your password and username.

You will need to login within 24 hours of requesting this temporary password, or you will need to request a new password again. You will be prompted to change your password at login. Please note that on the Change Your Password screen, the "Old" password will be the one that was just emailed to you and the "New" password will be one that you will create at that time. You will need to enter the "New" password 2 times for access.

If you are able to obtain a CAC Card, ensure it is a valid USAF CAC Card (vice DOD). If your CAC is valid, or you are unable to obtain a CAC, and you still cannot self-register, fill out a Form 41 downloaded from the Registration Requirements link on the AF Portal Login page or obtained from the Help Desk. Ensure all 3 parts are filled out correct per the instructions on the Form or we will be unable to process your registration request.

SSN is being utilized at the direction of the AF CIO. System security and data protection is of the highest concern for the AF Portal--to ensure protection of privacy data such as SSNs, and also the combat support information being used for ongoing operational missions. Please know the on-line registration data is encrypted and securely transmitted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL), stays within the AF Portal environment, and is physically protected within the DISA computer center at Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex. The AF Information Warfare Center has performed onsite and remote validations several times to ensure the security and configuration of the system and the data protected within it. The AF Portal uses the SSAN as the unique identifier to verify your identity for authenticating and authorizing the creation of an account.

Click the "Reset Your Password" on the AF Portal Login Screen at https://www.my.af.mil and follow the directions. If that option fails, please contact the helpdesk.

IE7's default security settings do not recognize the DoD certification chain; therefore, users must import the certificate to remedy the issue. Click here for instructions on importing the certificate.

Please follow these instructions, before logging back into your Portal account:

I. Clear the cache

• Go to 'TOOLS' Menu, in Internet Explorer
• Select 'INTERNET OPTIONS'
• From the 'GENERAL' tab, Select 'Delete Cookies' (hit 'OK'), next Delete Files' (hit 'OK'), and finally 'Clear History' (hit 'YES') (in the 'Temporary Internet Files' section)

II. Turn off Autocomplete

• From the 'CONTENT' tab, Select the 'AUTOCOMPLETE' button (in the 'Personal Information' section)
• Make sure that the only box checked is 'Web addresses' and Uncheck all other boxes (starting at the bottom of the list)
• Select both the 'CLEAR FORMS' and 'CLEAR PASSWORDS' button, and hit 'OK' to each
• Select 'OK' to exit
• Close/Exit all internet web browsers, and open a new web browser
• In the Address field of your web browser, type this URL (https://www.my.af.mil) and add it to your Favorites
• Log back into your AF Portal account

This error occurs when you have entered a "new" password that does not follow the rules for a good Portal password.

Please ensure that all passwords follow these rules:

• Be at least nine characters in length for regular users, fifteen characters for privileged (administrative) users
• Contain at least two uppercase letters
• Contain at least two lowercase letters
• Contain at least two numeric characters
• Contain at least two special characters ("Special Characters" are located above the numbers on your keyboard)
• Do not use a question mark "?" as your special character
• Do not use the same character more than two times (ex. XX, but not XXX)
• Cannot reuse the last ten passwords (they are stored in memory)
• Passwords are only good for 60 days

The AF Instant Messenger (AFIM) enables real time communication with other AF Portal users. AFIM alerts users when their contacts are on line and allows them to communicate through private online chat areas. AFIM enables both one to one and one to many communication methods.

The Air Force Instant Messaging (AFIM) service may be used for official and unofficial communication enhancing the quality of life of our Air Force men and women on and off duty.

However AFIM may not be used for inappropriate or illegal activity, including the communication of offensive or obscene language or material, defined as racist or sexually harassing or explicit language or material. Violations of AFI 33-129 may result in prosecution under Article 92 of the UCMJ. Do not discuss classified or sensitive information. AFIM is subject to monitoring at all times. Use of AFIM constitutes consent to monitoring.

The AFIM is located in the upper right section of the AF Portal Home Page above the "What's New Section" and titled "AFIM." The AFIM button can be found on every page no matter where you reside on the AF Portal.

To unblock a user:

• Go to the your AF IM window
• Click "I would like to"
• Scroll to Permissions
• Click Messages
• Click the name you would like to unblock
• Click Remove
• Click the "My Profile" link in the top right header of any AF Portal page
• Click the "Manage Your Friends and Family Instant Messenger Account" link
• Follow the instructions contained within link.

If a Friend and Family member has an issue with their account, this could be attributed to a password error, a locked account, or a system configuration issue. To ensure you take the proper action to alleviate the issue, please follow these steps:

• Have the FFIM user access the automated password reset feature located at https://guest.my.af.mil. They will receive two emails, one with their FFIM Username and one with their FFIM Password which should allow for a successful logon.
• If this password process does not work, please try to delete and recreate the account by using the same steps as when signing up your Friend & Family member. Click the My Profile link in the upper right hand corner of the AF Portal Home Page. You will then click the "Manage your Friend and Family Instant Messenger Accounts". You will need to continue following the instructions.
• If the FFIM account is still not working, ensure all system configurations are correct to enable the FFIM account to correctly load on the user's computer. To do this, please follow the steps below:

You must have the correct software loaded on your computer to support AFIM/AF Portal. FFIM requires Java Runtime Environment (JRE) of 1.4.2. However, FFIM and Java version 1.5.0 are NOT compatible. If you have Java 1.5.0 loaded on your work computer, you will be unable to use AFIM.

You can check your version by doing the following:

• Opening 'Internet Explorer'
• Select the 'Tools' Menu
• Select 'Java Sun Console'
• You may download Java 1.4.2 at the Java website (www.java.sun.com)

If you have Service Pack 2 for Windows XP loaded on your computer, you will need to allow pop-ups. AFIM on the AF Portal is considered a pop-up.

To Enable JavaScript, Java, and Your Console:

• Go to TOOLS (Internet Explorer)
• Select--- INTERNET OPTIONS
• Go to the tab--- SECURITY
• Click on--- CUSTOM LEVEL
• Scroll down and make sure that all scripting options are enabled
• Go to the tab--- ADVANCED. Click on the "Java console enabled" check box.
• Click OK to exit out
• Restart Computer

Chat Rooms and Conference Rooms are not the same thing.

Chat Rooms are permanent rooms where multiple people people can login and chat. You can view a list of open chat rooms by clicking on the AFIM Collaboration Center (AFIM CC) button at the top of the Instant Messenger window, then clicking on List of Chat Rooms under Online Functions in the left navigation bar of the AFIM Collaboration Center window.

Conferences are not permanent and are not listed in the chat room directory. They are only open until all participants in a conference room exit the room. USAF Instant Messenger makes it easy to move into a conference directly from an IM conversation by clicking on the Move to Conference button at the bottom of the IM window.

NOTE: The FFIM or guest.user accounts do not have chat room capability. The best option for a private family conversation is to invite the users into a conference room. Conference rooms are private and available only to those invited. You can control who enters and the users are free to openly chat as a group. USAF Instant Messenger makes it easy to move into a conference directly from an IM conversation by clicking on the Move to Conference button at the bottom of the IM window. Remember, to enter a chat room or conference, you must first be running USAF Instant Messenger.

To create a Chat Room please go to the appropriate form based on your default email client and follow the instructions to submit a request for the Chat Room to be created. Once the Chat Room is created you will be emailed back to confirm it's creation and will be provided any additional information that is needed.

If your default email client is set to Microsoft Outlook or Exchange, please fill out the following form:

Chat Room Form for User's with Outlook/Exchange Email Client

If your default email client is NOT set to Microsoft Outlook or Exchange, please go and follow the instructions on the following form:

Chat Room Form for Other Email Clients

Other Instant Messaging capabilities have security vulnerabilities and as such are not "linked in" with the AF Portal IM. AFIM is the DoD approved IM solution.

This email link gives you the ability to access your base's WebMail. Just populate the proper webmail URL under "My Profile" and "View/Edit Your Personal Details."

The email in your "My Profile/View/Edit your Personal Details" is the email that you entered upon registering for an AF Portal Account. You need to update this email via your Personal Details section, if you deploy, PCS, etc.

A Community of Practice is a group of people connected to each other by a need to solve common problems, develop skills, and share common practices. A Community of Practice typically shares a common responsibility or function. Community members collaborate to more effectively accomplish their mission.

• Search Selected Web Sites
• News Ticker
• Document Management System
• Discussion Forums
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Feedback/Help
• Member Directory
• Tell a Friend
• Workspace Administration

The team who initiates the request owns the Community of Practice workspace. The team is responsible to populate and maintain the content (documents, links, briefings, etc.) for the Community of Practice workspace.

There are several categories of Community of Practice workspaces. Some Communities of Practice are open to all Knowledge Now users and do not require a login. Some Communities of Practice are open to all Knowledge Now users but require a user login. Other Communities of Practice are closed to Knowledge Now users and require application via an e-mail link on their homepage for membership. Each Community of Practice sets its own criteria for membership. Individuals can belong to as many Communities of Practice in which they have time to participate.

To request information on setting up a Knowledge Now Community of Practice workspace, Contact the Knowledge Now team.

Links: AFKN site: https://www.my.af.mil/afknprod/ASPs/CoP/Entry.asp AFKN Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.my.af.mil/afknprod/ASPs/faq/faq.asp

What's the difference between a COP versus a Community of Interest?

The Air Force Knowledge Now Communities of Practice are the official collaboration tool of the Air Force. As such, the Communities of Interest are being deprecated over time.

We announce capabilities via the following avenues:

• The Log In Page
• The "What's New Section" on the top right of each page
• The Portal News section on the AF Home Tab
• Base newspaper articles, AF News/AF Link articles, and other AF press releases depending on the capability of the release

Look at the "Application" section under the "Air Force A-Z" index found on the right hand navigation of any AF Portal Page. Application POCs for questions or access issues will be identified on the Application A-Z entry when available. Additionally, users can search for the application using the AF Portal search function in the top of the right hand portal navigation menu. If the application is not found, contact the Application Owner or the appropriate Content Manager.

The base index is located on the right navigation bar under the header of Air Force A-Z. Upon clicking the bases link you will be taken to an Air Force Base listing directory.

Content is constantly being loaded to include all bases. Content Managers are the responsible POCs for ensuring this data is timely and accurate.

This feature allows your "Favorites" to travel with you – whether you PCS or just TDY. No longer will need to write down (or export) all of your favorite links. Your favorites will always be there for you. The link for "Web Favorites" is located on the right hand side of any page. To add your favorites into the AF Portal click the Web Favorites link in the right hand navigation bar, click the Import Favorites button on the top bar and follow the accompanying instructions.

Content Managers (CMs) oversee an organization's efforts of content publishing. CMs work and collaborate with content publishers and owners to ensure their information on the portal is current, accurate and in compliance with the applicable Air Force Instructions (AFIs) and AF Portal Publishing guidelines. Responsibilities include publishing content, edit and or approving content, deleting content, the processes surrounding the approval and quality assurance of content. CMs serve as your main point of contact for your organization to the AF Portal.

To view the complete list of MAJCOM Content Managers, select the Library Tab, About the Air Force Portal, and select the link for AF Portal Content Managers List.

The AF Portal provides the interface to the Air Force Directory Services (AFDS) White Pages Directory. The validity and accuracy of the data provided is only as good as the latest update from the AFDS Program Office and the Global Address List (GAL). Contact your local help desk to update information.

The AF Portal Search feature provides the means for Basic and Advanced searching. Searches can take place against information on the AF Portal Only or all .mil sites. To ensure your search results match your expectations you will need to narrow your search criteria via the AF Portal Advanced Search capability.

The My Workspace and My Workspace -> MyWork areas of the AF Portal allow you to select the content, the presentation, and the functionality of the portal according to your individual needs. You will see the "Customize this Page" on the left hand navigation bar within each of these areas. For more information regarding customization, please see the Help link in the top right hand corner of the AF Portal.

It is imperative to click the Save Page Settings on the left hand navigation bar after you have completed personalizing the My Workspace and My Work content areas.

Roles are a set of permissions which are granted to AF Portal users based upon a need to know basis – roles allow AF Portal users to see content they need to do their job.

The individual application managers distribute roles allowing access to systems.

Please check the Applications A-Z index after you login to obtain the correct point of contact. The Applications A-Z index is found on the right navigation after login. Mission applications owners contact information is available for nearly every application.

If you need further assistance, please contact the helpdesk for assistance.

These fields represent the information that you entered when you first registered for your AF Portal account. In order for this to be changed, you must first contact your Content Manager and request to have this deleted or updated from your account.

Content Managers are the responsible POCs for ensuring this data is accurate. The list of Content Managers and contact information can be accessed from the Library Tab under the AF Portal Documentation section for users who have logged into the system. Once these roles have been removed, these fields will be available for you to make changes if, and when, you please.

If you still need assistance, please contact the helpdesk for assistance

Ask your supervisor or deployment manager. Not all users are assigned to an AEF.

Content Structures are constantly being loaded to include all MAJCOM/FOA/DRU or Base/Locations. Content Managers are the responsible POCs for ensuring this data is accurate.

There are two answers to this question. If you have not heavily personalized your "My Workspace", you can change it by deleting your account and then re-registering. To delete your account, you will need to call the FAB. If you have heavily personalized your "My Workspace", you may want to leave your username alone for the time being. There are upcoming plans to allow users to change their names via an Identity Management tool. Stay tuned for details.

The tutorial is on the upper right side of the AFP. We list all Portal Documentation on the Library Tab under the AF Portal Documentation block.

If you have account maintenance issues (forgotten username and passwords) please utilize the tool called Reset Your Password on the right side of the AF Portal log in page ( https://www.my.af.mil ).These tools provide you a fast response for common issues. If you need further assistance, please contact the helpdesk .

Factors include time of day, call volume, and the type of questions being answered. We recommend looking over the FAQs and/or trying the Reset Your Password tool available on the Log – In page.

Official websites use .mil

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

Web Savvy - Effectively using Air Force Portal

By Tech. Sgt. Randy Redman 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

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Air Force’s new job assignment policies aim for flexibility, stability

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Enlisted airmen will eventually be able to trade job assignments in an effort to offer troops more career flexibility, the Air Force’s top enlisted leader said here Wednesday.

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass also announced several other policy changes in her keynote address at the Air and Space Forces Association’s annual conference outside Washington.

The Air Force is starting to hash out the details of how the swaps would work. Airmen could volunteer to take the place of someone else chosen for a particular assignment, or trade upcoming jobs among one another, the service said.

Here’s how the Air Force could change its job assignment process

Air force leaders are sifting through a list of proposed changes to how airmen are assigned new jobs, and may announce updates by the end of september..

Enlisted airmen other than chief master sergeants, or E-9s, can take advantage of the program. To trade jobs, airmen must hold the same Air Force job and special experience codes, and have reached the same grade and skill level.

“We are in the early stages of establishing the assignment swap program,” Air Force Personnel Center spokesperson Toni Whaley said Wednesday. “We are working with our partners to build out the process and identify business rules to make the program more inclusive with minimum restrictions.”

Whaley didn’t say when the option may become available.

Enlisted airmen will also get at least four months after returning home from an overseas deployment to readjust to life in America, Bass said. That can ease pressure on families to quickly find a place to live, and avoid putting airmen back to work before they are reunited with their household goods.

The Air Force will also issue final decisions during that same four-month period on where returning airmen will work.

Bass wants to make it easier for those who pause their regular jobs to spend time as military training instructors and leaders, as well as enlisted recruiters, to return to those careers.

She intends to clarify the process for how deployed airmen with pregnant spouses can ask to come home and start a new job; clear up confusion about the paperwork needed to base dual-military spouses in the same area; and start sending up-to-date information on assignments to local support staff.

And the Air Force will allow airmen seeking an emergency transfer, such as sexual assault victims, to move regardless of how long they were at their base. Airmen acquitted of sexual assault claims in court-martials can request expedited transfers now as well.

Air Force reverses plan to cut special duty pay for enlisted airmen

Hundreds of enlisted airmen in nearly 30 fields stood to lose $75 to $450 a month in bonus pay..

“Big kudos to our airmen … who came from across our Air Force to look at assignment policies, to dissect that 571-page [Air Force instruction] to identify and make recommendations that will make assignments better for all of us,” Bass said.

As for the Space Force, officials are trying to bake personalization and flexibility into the assignment process as the newest service matures.

“Choice and control are important to people,” Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Roger Towberman told reporters at a roundtable on Wednesday. “Blanket policies — in particular, across a small group of people — one, aren’t necessary, and two, can be not all that helpful.”

Military space missions are spread across fewer installations than those of the Air Force. Some are as far-flung and remote as Greenland or Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. That can complicate matters for guardians with children, for instance, or who would prefer to live somewhere other than the major military space hubs in the continental United States.

Towberman said listening to people’s preferences and concerns can lead to happier troops without sacrificing military capability. The service is learning how to have those conversations, one grade level at a time.

More senior airmen, fewer overall enlisted expected in next few years

The shift to more e-4 billets, and fewer e-5s, marks the first major change to how enlisted airmen are spread across the ranks in nearly 20 years..

“The early returns are, ‘Wow, you called me up. You asked what I wanted to do. You cared about what my family wanted. And then you worked with me to find a way that the Space Force gets what the Space Force needs, and I felt like I was invested,’” Towberman said. “The mission is getting done, readiness is high and morale is high.”

Related issues, like how long a guardian should be required to stay in their job before moving to a new unit, are still under discussion.

It can be easier to put down roots while serving in the Space Force, Chief of Space Operations Gen. John “Jay” Raymond added.

“There’s a Colorado hub, a California hub, a Florida hub and a New Mexico hub,” he said. “Because of that, you can stay in one spot ... and still develop in your career field.”

Rachel Cohen is the editor of Air Force Times. She joined the publication as its senior reporter in March 2021. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Frederick News-Post (Md.), Air and Space Forces Magazine, Inside Defense, Inside Health Policy and elsewhere.

In Other News

Defense, VA budget work begins on Capitol Hill as Congress returns

Defense and veterans hearings on capitol hill for the week of april 8, 2024..

US-Chinese military talks resume on safety in the air and at sea

U.s. and chinese defense officials met this week to discuss unsafe and aggressive ship and aircraft incidents between the two militaries in the pacific..

Deployed troops inhaled toxic air even while off-duty, study finds

Lung samples from service members they tested found traces of toxic vaporized metals and other hazardous items, well above that of non-deployed personnel..

Troops at 14 bases to begin testing new approach to military moves

Troops at 14 installations will soon try out a new system for shipping their belongings to their next base..

No snakes in couches: What to know for a smooth PCS move in 2024

Read up on tips and tricks in military times' 2024 permanent change of station guide ahead of peak moving season..

RESERVE ASSIGNMENTS

Mission: Execute reserve assignments to equip commanders with Ready Airman

The Air Force Reserve is an integral part of our country's dominant presence in air, space and cyberspace, contributing daily to the Total Force mission and is actively involved in global operations.

DPAA is responsible for executing 9.3K annual assignment actions in support of 6.1K Active Guard Reserve (AGR) and 7.2K Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) personnel. They provide regulatory guidance to CCs/CFMs/FSSs/Dets for advertising vacancies and job placement.

The division is separated into two branches; the Reserve Assignments Branch (DPAAA) and AGR Assignments Management Branch (DPAAG).

The Reserve Assignments Branch is responsible for the Air Reserve Component (ARC) Individual Mobilized Augmentee population, USERRA Waiver Coordination, the Indispensability program, Voluntary Limited Period of Active Duty (VLPAD) for release coordination only, and Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) reassignment into a Selected Reserve status (SELRES).  

The AGR Assignments Management Branch is responsible for the AGR assignment lifecycle (i.e. advertisements, applications, orders, Management Directed Reassignments (MDRs) coordination, Management Change Requests (MCRs), grade ceiling, etc.)  

Important Links

To apply for AGR positions in MyVector Talent Marketplace:

https://myvector.us.af.mil/myvector/Talentmarketplace/Home

To submit an inquiry to AGR Management or Reserve Assignments, use MyVector, “My Applications” on the left add side of the dashboard: https://myvector.us.af.mil/myvector/Home/Dashboard

DAFI 36-2110

Total Force Assignments

DAFI 36-3211

Military Separations

DAFI 36-2008

VOLUNTARY LIMITED PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY (VLPAD) FOR AIR RESERVE COMPONENT (ARC) SERVICE MEMBERS AND THE CAREER INTERMISSION PROGRAM

DAFMAN 36-2136

Reserve Personnel Participation

DAFMAN 36-2114, Chapter 6

Management of the Air Force Reserve Individual Reserve (IR) and Full-Time Support (FTS) Programs

DODI1315.18

Procedures for Military Personnel Assignments

DODI 1205.18

Full-Time Support to the Reserve Components

INDIVIDUAL MOBILIZATION AUGMENTEES

Individual Mobilization Augmentees are Individual Reservists assigned or attached to either an active duty or Reserve Major Command, Forward Operating Unit, Direct Reporting Unit, joint organization or an outside agency. Annual requirements differ based on position.

VACANCIES: Reserve Management Vacancy System . (CAC access only)

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS

Sharing my journey through Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) and beyond.

• Application
• Career Fields

13S Assignments

13S Assignment Team Portal

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Air Force Officer Stratifications

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As an officer it is extremely valuable to have the information you need or know how to find it.  There is an outstanding resource available to officers in almost any career field in the Air Force Portal.  If you search “Assignment Team” you will likely find a page with information specific to your career field.

Here is the Air Force Portal link to the 13S Space Operations Assignment Team page.  On this page you will find information regarding Professional Military Education (IDE/SDE), contact information, DO/CC board results, career milestone charts, etc.  It basically contains links or information to anything which may be relevant to managing your career.

Officers are expected to manage their own career, not follow the path the Air Force set out for them.  Instead of getting the next assignment by luck or AFSC slots available, you will tell AFPC where you want to go and decide for yourself what is good for your career.  Ideally you will have mentors who can help you along with this process but in my opinion it is best if you can figure out 90%-95% of it out yourself, and seek mentorship for the last little bit.  If you do this it is harder to be left behind by the dynamic and competitive nature of officer careers.

Here is the link:

https://www.my.af.mil/gcss-af/USAF/ep/globalTab.do?channelPageId=s2D8EB9D6386BFB8B0138A52CC72F0D4D

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• 24OTS02 (Rated) Board Dates April 8, 2024 – April 12, 2024
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