Selection process for AF retraining applications?

I have done a lot of research and asked a lot of people about how applicants are selected for crosstraining in the AF, but I haven't found a solid answer about how it truly works. The AFI says that applications are ranked by (in order of descending importance): last EPR, current rank, projected rank, last 3 EPR's, time in service, ASVAB scores and requested AFSC's.

If this is true that means that a lot of slackers are on the same playing field as overachievers when it comes to getting selected for a new job due to the fact that the vast majority of EPR's written are 5's.

Could anyone enlighten me as to how exactly the ranking system works as far as how important each of those criteria are? I'd also like to know if being an E-5 would help or hurt a potential applicant, and possibly confirm or dispute that the only real advantage an applicant would have over others would be their ASVAB scores. Any information on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

The higer the rank, the harder it will be.

There are only so many E-5's in each AFSC,

There are alot more E-4's and E-3's.

You also have to look at the " Stress level " of your current AFSC,

And the stress level of the afsc you want to retrain into.

Your afsc career manager, can block anyone from retraining

If the AFSC is stressed ( under manned ) in your current rank or future rank.

The base projected rank, based on the average promotion times.

So while you might be an E-4 currently, if you have been in 4 years, then they know your about to make E-5 soon.

So they would base your cross training, on you being an E-5, not an E-4.

Then they have to look at the manning level of E-5's in the AFSC you wanna retrain in.

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Put simply, throw out EPR's and everything else.

What they will look at is:

Is your current AFSC undermanned or overmanned at your current or future projected rank.

Is the AFSC you want to retrain into, under manned or over manned in your current or future rank.

What you want, is to be overmanned now, and have the new AFSC be undermanned.

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But remember, the branch career manager of the new AFSC, doesn't want to let some E-4 with 6 years service, retrain into his AFSC. Nor anyone with a bad EPR.

You can go to Aboutmilitary.com and search for

" Air Force stressed asfc "

To see whats your current afsc and new afsc ranks.

There are too many factors to give a solid answer to the question. Each AFSC has qualification factors that play a role when selecting a member to cross train. Many require an interview with the local leadership of the AFSC in which you apply for. For example, Chaplain Assistants go through screening and interviews locally. The local leadership writes a recommendation letter the selection board receives with the EPRs and ASVAB scores. The letter of recommendation plays a large role on who gets selected.

Being an E-5 would only be a factor for the AFSC that allows cross training. Cross training is grade driven so it has no advantage or disatvantage.

The bottom line is each AFSC gets to select its cross trainees to meet the needs of that AFSC. You should ask the local leadership of the AFSC in which you want to cross train into for what they desire in an applicant.

Good luck but there is no blanket answer when it comes to cross training since each AFSC is so different.