Short tour credit termination

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Washburn
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  As of July 1, 2011, a termination of the short tour credit to Airmen who serve a minimum of 181 consecutive days in a hostile fire or imminent danger area will take effect.

After September 11, 2011, the average AEF deployments were 120 days long. That standard has changed and now deployments last for 180 days or more.

Airmen that complete 300 or more days oversees in a consecutive 18 month period or 548 days or more oversees in a consecutive three year period will continue to be awarded short term credit.

Any Airmen who arrived in the AOR on June 30 or earlier will still receive the credit.

There are no exceptions to this new policy. If an Airman departed from base on June 28, but didn't arrive in the AOR until July 2, he/she would not be eligible. Neither would someone if they arrived in the AOR at 0030 on July 1. It is unfortunate, but some Airmen are going to miss out by the smallest of margins.