For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Air Force is overhauling its transition assistance program, which is designed to ease airmen’s shift to civilian life when leaving the military, said service officials. The reworked initiative, which launches in November, bolsters efforts to help airmen to be employment-ready by teaching them how to apply their military experience in the civilian world, according to an Aug. 15 release. “America’s airmen have extraordinary technical expertise and world-class leadership skills that are in high demand,” said Air Force Secretary Michael Donley. Come November, the current three-day, optional program will run for five days and be mandatory, states the release. In addition to building job-search skills, it will include pre-separation counseling, a military-to-civilian skills review, a Veterans Affairs benefits briefing, and financial planning support. Another benefit of the updated program is the inclusion of separating Air National Guardsmen and Air Force Reservists. “We want to take care of all our airmen, and this program does that,” said CMSAF James Roy. (Washington, D.C., report by Joel Fortner)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…

