This program allows you to volunteer for overseas assignments. You can volunteer for up to eight overseas bases or countries. Your updated preferences are maintained in the personnel data system for use by AFPC. Keep your preferences current and BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR . Otherwise you might get selected for an assignment you don't really want. There are basically two types of overseas tours: Short Tours and Long Tours. A short tour is any location in which an accompanied tour is not authorized or a location in which the unaccompanied tour length is less than 18 months and the accompanied tour length is 24 months. A long tour is any location in which both an accompanied and unaccompanied tour is authorized and the unaccompanied tour length is 18 months or more. When volunteering for a long tour, you have a choice of either the standard tour length or the extended tour length. By volunteering for the extended tour option, you agree to serve the standard tour length plus an additional 12 months. The advantage of being an extended tour volunteer is that you receive assignment consideration ahead of those members who only volunteer for the standard tour length. Here's an example. Let's say SSgt Nickel volunteered for Ramstein AB Germany as a standard tour volunteer and SSgt Dollar volunteered for the same base but for the extended tour. Assuming other things were equal (AFSC, grade, TOS, no quality factors, etc.) and both are eligible for the assignment, SSgt Dollar would be selected for the assignment. Why? He has agreed to serve an additional year in the overseas area, which will save the Air Force PCS funds.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for an overseas assignment, you MUST have or be able to obtain, the retainability for the tour for which you are volunteering. For example, you have a HYT that is 28 months away and you volunteer for a 36 month tour. You won't get selected because you cannot obtain the full 36 months of retainability for the assignment. If you are a second term or career airmen (not a first-termer), and are selected and then decline to get the required retainability, your assignment will be canceled and you will be required to separate or retire on your current DOS. (If you are already retirement eligible you may only be able to stay in six months from the time you refuse the assignment). If you do decline an assignment or have one canceled because of your unwillingness to obtain sufficient retainability, you will be ineligible for other assignments, except those for which you have the needed retainability. You can volunteer for overseas tours at your Commander's Support Staff (CSS) or MPF by completing the Air Force Form 392 or through PC III. Please note: If you have more than one AFSC and one is imbalanced, you will be selected in the imbalanced AFSC only. For more information on imbalanced AFSCs, see your MPF.