The Air Force Career Intermission Program (CIP), established in 2014, offers a unique opportunity for service members to take a break from their active duty to pursue personal or professional goals. While the program has been available for several years, the story of Major Sandra Walker, a missileer from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, highlights the profound benefits of the Air Force Career Intermission Program 2018, showcasing how it can serve as a pivotal moment for career and personal enrichment.
The Career Intermission Program is a Department of Defense initiative allowing Airmen to temporarily transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) for one to three years. This intermission caters to service members’ needs outside of traditional military service, with the assurance of returning to active duty afterward. Participants in the CIP retain vital benefits, including comprehensive medical and dental care for themselves and their dependents, continued access to Exchange and Commissary facilities, and a monthly stipend equivalent to one-fifteenth of their basic pay. This support structure ensures that Airmen can focus on their intermission goals without undue financial or logistical stress.
Major Walker’s journey with the Career Intermission Program began in 2015 when she attended the Twentieth Air Force Women’s Leadership Symposium. A guest speaker introduced the CIP, and while Major Walker didn’t immediately need it, the information resonated with her as a valuable option for the future. The relevance of this knowledge became apparent in 2016 when her husband, an active-duty helicopter pilot, received a unique opportunity for a German Air Force immersion program. This presented a crossroads for Major Walker, requiring her to consider her career trajectory and family needs. Potential assignments in Germany were geographically distant from her husband’s new location, and with their first child on the way, the complexities of balancing career and family intensified.
Exploring solutions, Major Walker considered the Career Intermission Program. After thorough research and extensive family discussions about the potential impacts on their careers and family life, they concluded that CIP was the ideal path forward. It offered a chance to be closer to her family in Germany, allowed her to be fully present during her daughter’s early years, and enabled her husband to undertake his prestigious assignment. This confluence of personal and family needs aligned perfectly with the flexibility provided by the Air Force Career Intermission Program 2018.
Despite the clear benefits, Major Walker faced skepticism from some who questioned her decision. Concerns like “out of sight, out of mind” and worries about derailing a successful career were voiced. However, Major Walker countered these concerns with a forward-thinking perspective: “really all you are doing is delaying your retirement if you plan to stay in for 20 years. You control what type of caliber of Airman you want to be upon your return. I’d argue, that allowing people time to focus on their needs for a short period of time, will be advantageous to the Air Force and for the Airmen as a whole.” Her conviction in the program’s value and her ability to return as a stronger Airman proved unwavering.
Navigating the application process, Major Walker emphasized a crucial piece of advice: understanding promotion timelines and professional military education requirements for both officers and enlisted personnel. “You need to have those conversations with your squadron commander, senior enlisted leader, or senior mentor…you can separate whenever you want, but you must recognize that when you come back your career hits play right away, consider where do you want to sit and where do you want to be at that time.” Strategic career planning and open communication with leadership are essential for a successful intermission and return.
Major Walker commenced her career intermission in 2018. This period was dedicated to raising her daughter, experiencing a more relaxed second pregnancy and postpartum phase, and investing in personal growth through extensive reading and running. The beauty of the Career Intermission Program, as Major Walker highlighted, is its open-ended purpose. “The great thing about this program, you can separate for any reason,” she explained. “Some go work at Amazon, some spend time with ill family members, and numerous other reasons. For me, it was to support my husband’s opportunity and be closer to family while raising my daughter (eventually both daughters). Because of this opportunity, my husband and both daughters were able to learn how to speak German like me, something so invaluable.” The program’s flexibility accommodates a wide array of personal and professional pursuits, making it a versatile tool for Airmen.
The return to active duty is strategically designed for the service member’s seamless reintegration. For Major Walker, the process began six to nine months prior to her return. The Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) initiated discussions regarding her preferred assignment locations, facilitated medical clearance renewals, and managed the security clearance reinstatement process. The program also provides travel and transportation allowances to the member’s home of selection within the U.S., and then to their follow-on assignment, easing the logistical burden of returning to duty.
Upon her return in 2021, Major Walker’s career trajectory continued upward. Her husband was selected for in-residence Intermediate Developmental Education at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and Major Walker took on a teaching role at Squadron Officer School, subsequently becoming Director of Operations for a student squadron. Demonstrating their mutual support, the roles reversed when Major Walker was selected for Air Command and Staff College, and her husband then taught at SOS. This reciprocal career support exemplifies the program’s positive impact on military families.
Reflecting on her return, Major Walker noted, “Coming back on active duty was a lot easier than coming off of active duty,” Walker shared. “Coming off of active duty, I had to figure out who I was without the Air Force. Coming back to active duty, I knew exactly what was expected of me, I knew exactly what was going to happen…I knew what to wear, where to be, and how to show up. The hardest part was dropping off my kiddos…it was a culture shock and a language shock for them after our time in Germany.” While the transition back to military life was smooth professionally, the family experienced some cultural adjustments after their time abroad.
Despite observing her peers’ promotions and needing to explain her rank, Major Walker harbors no regrets. She recognizes that her peers are now in hiring positions and values the unique experiences and perspectives gained during her intermission. She firmly believes she returned as a more capable Airman. For those contemplating the Air Force Career Intermission Program 2018, Major Walker offers compelling encouragement: “it is a once-in-a-career opportunity to focus on yourself, to better yourself and focus on your priorities. You will gain new perspectives that will make you a better Airman upon your return. No one should hold this break in service against you, you should be proud of the opportunity the DoD provided you, because you will come back on active duty eager to serve, able to apply newfound skills and passions while paving a pathway for other Airmen and ultimately increasing retention across the force.” The Air Force Career Intermission Program 2018 stands as a testament to the Air Force’s commitment to supporting its personnel’s holistic well-being, fostering both personal fulfillment and enhanced professional capabilities, ultimately contributing to a stronger and more resilient Air Force.
