Beginning in January 2009, the Air Force is switching from the old AEF rotations, to a program called "Tempo Bands." Each Air Force job will be assigned to a specific tempo band, ranging from Band A to Band E, which will tell the Airman how often, and how long he/she can expect to deploy. The band decisions are made by matching predicted deployment demands for Air Force specialties against the number of airmen available to deploy in that specialty.

Enlisted military members are paid a "clothing allowance" to pay for maintenance and replacement of required uniform items. The allowances shown here are for Fiscal Year 2009 and are effective from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009.

The Department of Defense has announced its recruiting statistics for the active and reserve components for October 2008 (the first month of Fiscal Year 2009). A "Fiscal Year" runs from October through September.

Tops In Blue, the Air Force's premiere entertainment showcase, is accepting applications until Dec. 2 for its 2009 talent search.

The 2009 talent call encourages vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, and nonmusical talent such as comedians, dramatists, and magicians to submit an application and audition video. Airmen with skills in audio, lighting, staging, video, and even driving, are also being recruited. All Air Force active-duty, Reserve and Guard members are eligible to compete. Top applicants will vie for first and second place trophies during the Air Force Worldwide Talent Search Competition Jan. 11 through 19 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. To apply, go to http://www.afsv.af.mil/ , then "Services" and click on "Tops In Blue" at the bottom. For more information, call 210-652-6566.