ARLINGTON, Virginia —

The Air Force is finalizing details on how it will implement Department of Defense Instruction 1332.45, Retention Determination for Non-Deployable Service Members.

Until the updated policy guidance is complete in late 2018, Airmen who have been non-deployable for 12 consecutive months and their commanders will continue to follow existing procedures.

“It’s important to understand this is not an automatic separation policy. It’s a process, similar to what we already do today, that allows us to evaluate our non-deployable Airmen to determine if their continued service is compatible with and can meet the requirements the nation expects of us as an Air Force.

In some cases, we’ll have Airmen who can meet those requirements and fulfill requirements without being deployable,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services. “The process we create will take care of all Airmen while recognizing and ensuring we have a fair and equitable deployment process across our Air Force.”

Currently, there are approximately 1,600 active duty Airmen who are expected to be affected by the new policy.

Once the guidance is published, the Air Force will begin the process of evaluating them for a retention determination, referral to the Disability Evaluation System, or initiation of administrative separation, depending on each Airman’s circumstances.