JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Air Force officials recently announced revisions to basic and comprehensive Enlisted Professional Military Education requirements which took effect June 2015.
The changes to minimum learning requirements affect Airmen in the ranks of senior airman to senior master sergeant and were made to ensure a continuous cycle of professional development throughout their careers.
"The biggest change is that the completion of distance learning is required for promotion eligibility and reenlistment and is now tied to time in service," said Senior Master Sgt. Terrance Smiley, 633rd Air Base Wing career assistance advisor.
Prior to the modifications, Airmen could potentially serve several years without completing EPME because eligibility was dependent on rank. Now, Airmen receive the education at set intervals throughout their careers.
The following is a breakdown of the EPME model:
Basic EPME (Distance Learning)
- DL is the minimum learning requirement for Airmen development.
- DL is required for promotion and reenlistment eligibility.
- DL is delivered in three phases.
Phase 1: Airmen with three to six years TIS complete DL Airman Leadership School (optimal window, not a hard requirement).
- DL is a prerequisite for Phase 2
Phase 2: Airmen with seven to eight years TIS complete EPME Noncommissioned Officer Academy DL Course 15.
- Prerequisite for Phase 3
Phase 3: Airmen with 12 to 13 years TIS complete EPME Senior NCO Academy DL Course 14, Version 6.
- Currently, the system only allows master sergeants and master sergeant-selects to register for the course.
- Airmen have one year after notification to complete DL.
- Wait time restrictions were rescinded for nonparticipation and two-time fails.
- EPME Graduate Ribbon is awarded to those who successfully complete the courses.
Comprehensive EPME (In-residence)
- Builds upon Basic EPME requirements
- Achieves higher proficiency levels
- Delivered in three phases:
Phase 1: Airmen with three to six years TIS attend ALS (optimal window, not a hard requirement).
Phase 2: Airmen are eligible for EPME NCOA Intermediate Leadership Experience between eight to 12 years TIS in the order of technical sergeants, technical sergeant-selects then non-select with the highest Weighted Airman Promotion System scores.
Phase 3: Airmen are eligible for EPME SNCOA Advanced Leadership Experience between 13 to 18 years TIS in the order of senior master sergeant, senior master sergeant-selects then non-selects with the highest WAPS scores.
- Members outside of their eligibility window will not attend the in-residence course.
Air University will conduct NCOA Legacy courses through fiscal year 2015 to educate technical sergeants with more than 12 years TIS. Airmen outside of the established TIS window who have not graduated an EPME course commensurate with their TIS will be directed to enroll in either Basic Phase 2 (Course 15) or Basic Phase 3 (Course 14v6).
Smiley also stressed that with the added changes comes consequences.
"Right now I don't know if [the changes are] hitting home," he said. "This time next year, for some Airmen who haven't heeded the warnings, they'll be rendered ineligible to reenlist and promotion test."
The Air Force systematically notifies individuals of their year start date, but Airmen can register for DL courses through Air University before they receive their official notification.
"You don't want to be the Airman who received their notification in June 2015, have to reenlist in June 2016, but didn't complete it so now they're automatically coded and out of the Air Force," Smiley said.
For more information or to schedule a briefing with the career assistance advisors, call 764-3166 or 225-5893.