Air Force Enlisted Retraining
Air Force Retraining has three main parts,
1) First Term Airman Retraining
2) NCORP
3) 9A or Disqualified Airman
First Term Airman Retraining
POC: Development Advisor
First Term Airman Retraining allows Airmen nearing the end of their initial enlistment to switch to a different Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) instead of separating. To qualify, Airmen must meet standards for the new AFSC and be within a specific timeframe of their separation date, also known as their "retraining window". The process involves checking the online Retraining Advisory for open slots, meeting eligibility requirements, and submitting a retraining application. ​
Why Retrain?
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Career Growth: Allows Airmen to pursue other career paths and develop new skills within the Air Force.
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Force Balancing: Helps to fill shortages in understaffed AFSCs and balance the enlisted force.
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Retention: Provides opportunities for qualified Airmen to stay in the military.
NCORP
POC: Supervisor & 1st Sergeant
The Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program (NCORP) is a program designed to retrain second-term and career Airmen from overmanned Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs) into shortage AFSCs, balancing the enlisted force to meet the needs of the Air Force. The program allows eligible Airmen to voluntarily (Phase 1) or, in some cases, involuntarily (Phase 2) retrain into new career fields. Information and application details for NCORP are available to Airmen on the myPers portal, a dedicated resource on the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) website.
9A or Disqualified Airman
POC: Command Team & 1st Sergeant
The "9A process" in the Air Force is a reporting identifier for Airmen needing retraining or separation after being disqualified from their current Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC), or career field. The process involves identifying your reason for being a 9A (e.g., "Awaiting Retraining—Reasons beyond Control" is 9A000, while "Reasons within Control" is 9A100), applying for retraining opportunities through the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) via the MyFSS portal, completing any required physicals and interviews, and then waiting for assignment to a new AFSC's tech school or choosing to separate.