The United States Air Force offers dedicated service members unique opportunities to grow, both professionally and personally, without completely stepping away from their commitment to service. One such opportunity is the Air Force Career Intermission Program (CIP), a Department of Defense initiative designed to allow officers and enlisted personnel to temporarily transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). This program provides a structured pathway for Airmen to pursue personal or professional goals outside of active duty for a period of one to three years, with a guaranteed return to their military careers.
While the Career Intermission Program has been available since 2014, its benefits and potential remain somewhat under the radar for many Air Force personnel. However, the experiences of those who have participated, like Major Sandra Walker, are beginning to highlight the significant advantages of this program, both for the individual Airman and the Air Force as a whole. Major Walker, an assistant director of operations for the 321st Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, is a prime example of how the Air Force Career Intermission Program can be successfully utilized to achieve personal and family goals while enhancing one’s service to the nation.
Understanding the Air Force Career Intermission Program
The Air Force Career Intermission Program is a voluntary program that allows selected Airmen to take a break from active duty to address personal or professional aspirations. During the intermission, participants are transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve but maintain several key benefits. These include continued medical and dental coverage for themselves and eligible dependents, access to Exchange and Commissary privileges, and a monthly stipend equivalent to one-fifteenth of their basic pay. This support system is crucial, ensuring that Airmen can focus on their intermission goals without undue financial or healthcare burdens.
The flexibility of the program is a major draw. Airmen can apply for intermission periods ranging from one to three years, allowing them to pursue a variety of opportunities. These can range from further education, starting a family, supporting family needs, pursuing entrepreneurial ventures, or simply taking time for personal growth and rejuvenation. The Air Force Career Intermission Program recognizes that Airmen have lives and ambitions outside of their military service, and providing this flexibility can ultimately lead to a more resilient and dedicated force in the long run.
Maj. Sandra Walker’s Journey: A CIP Success Story
Major Sandra Walker’s experience with the Air Force Career Intermission Program provides a compelling example of its positive impact. She first learned about the program at a Women’s Leadership Symposium in 2015, recognizing its potential value for future career and life planning. The opportunity to utilize the program arose in 2016 when her husband, an active-duty helicopter pilot, was presented with a unique immersion assignment with the German Air Force.
Faced with the challenge of balancing her own career progression, supporting her husband’s opportunity, and starting a family (they were expecting their first child), Major Walker explored the Air Force Career Intermission Program as a viable solution. Relocating to Germany for available positions would have placed her geographically distant from her husband’s assignment. The CIP offered an alternative: the chance to be closer to her family in Germany, be fully present during her daughter’s early years, and enable her husband to undertake his unique assignment.
The Decision to Utilize CIP
Despite the clear benefits for her family, Major Walker faced resistance from some who questioned her decision to utilize the Air Force Career Intermission Program. Concerns about career stagnation and being “out of sight, out of mind” were raised. However, Major Walker held a strong belief in the program’s value and its long-term benefits for both the individual and the Air Force. Her perspective was that a temporary intermission was simply a career adjustment, not a derailment. She argued that allowing Airmen to address personal needs and recharge would ultimately lead to a more dedicated and effective force upon their return. She understood that taking time for her family was an investment in her own well-being, which would ultimately benefit her future service.
Navigating the Intermission
Major Walker separated from active duty in 2018 and embraced her time in the Air Force Career Intermission Program. She dedicated herself to raising her daughter and experienced a more relaxed second pregnancy and postpartum period. Beyond family time, she focused on personal growth through reading and running. The program’s flexibility allowed her to tailor her intermission to her specific needs and goals.
Major Walker emphasizes that the Air Force Career Intermission Program is designed to accommodate diverse personal circumstances. Participants have utilized the program for various reasons, including pursuing civilian employment opportunities in companies like Amazon, caring for ill family members, or pursuing educational goals. For Major Walker, the program facilitated a significant family and cultural experience. Her time in Germany allowed her husband and daughters to learn German, enriching their lives and strengthening their family bond.
Successful Return to Active Duty
The Air Force Career Intermission Program is structured to ensure a smooth return to active duty for participants. For Major Walker, the reintegration process began approximately six to nine months prior to her scheduled return. The Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) initiated conversations regarding her desired return location, facilitated medical clearances, and managed the renewal of her security clearance. The program even provides travel and transportation allowances to the member’s chosen home of selection within the U.S. and to their follow-on assignment.
Returning to active duty in 2021, Major Walker seamlessly transitioned back into her Air Force career. Her husband was selected for Intermediate Developmental Education at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and Major Walker began teaching at Squadron Officer School (SOS), later becoming Director of Operations for a student squadron. Her career progression continued as she was subsequently selected for Air Command and Staff College, while her husband then taught at SOS, showcasing the reciprocal support and career flexibility the program can facilitate within military families.
Major Walker found returning to active duty “a lot easier than coming off of active duty.” While separating required a period of adjustment to redefine her identity outside of the Air Force, returning was a familiar and welcomed transition. She returned with renewed focus and a deeper appreciation for her military career. While acknowledging the minor career timing differences with peers who did not take an intermission, Major Walker emphasizes that her experience has made her a stronger and more well-rounded Airman. She has no regrets about utilizing the Air Force Career Intermission Program and believes the personal and professional growth gained during her intermission has been invaluable.
Benefits of the Air Force Career Intermission Program
The Air Force Career Intermission Program offers significant benefits for both individual Airmen and the Air Force as an institution.
For Airmen:
- Flexibility: Provides a structured way to address personal and professional needs without leaving the Air Force permanently.
- Work-Life Balance: Allows Airmen to prioritize family, personal growth, or other life goals.
- Skill Development: Offers opportunities to gain new skills, education, or experiences that can enhance their military careers.
- Financial and Healthcare Security: Maintains essential benefits during the intermission period.
- Guaranteed Return: Provides a pathway back to active duty, offering career stability.
For the Air Force:
- Retention: Can improve long-term retention by providing Airmen with needed flexibility and reducing burnout.
- Enhanced Airmen: Airmen return with new perspectives, skills, and renewed dedication.
- Talent Management: Allows the Air Force to retain valuable personnel who might otherwise leave due to personal or family needs.
- Force Readiness: Contributes to a more resilient and adaptable force by supporting the well-being of Airmen.
Is the CIP Right for You?
Major Walker’s advice to those considering the Air Force Career Intermission Program is to view it as a “once-in-a-career opportunity to focus on yourself, to better yourself, and focus on your priorities.” She emphasizes that the program allows for personal and professional development that ultimately benefits the Air Force. She encourages Airmen to have open conversations with their leadership and mentors to understand the program’s implications for their career timelines, particularly concerning promotions and professional military education. Planning and communication are key to a successful intermission and return.
The Air Force Career Intermission Program is a powerful tool for Airmen seeking to balance their personal and professional lives. It demonstrates the Air Force’s commitment to supporting its personnel and fostering a force that is not only highly capable but also personally fulfilled. By providing this unique opportunity, the Air Force invests in the well-being and long-term commitment of its Airmen, ultimately strengthening the force as a whole.
