News United States Air Force
 Airmen can 'chat' live via myPers for personnel supportPublished Feb. 18, 2014
                        
                        By Janis El Shabazz
                        
                        
                        Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
                **JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) --**
                Air Force Personnel officials have implemented a live chat capability on the myPers website to allow real-time communication between Airmen and personnel specialists.
Launched in 2012, myPers represents a shift from primarily face-to-face personnel interaction to a process that enables Airmen to handle their personnel transactions on demand and 24/7, from a military or personal computer using a common access card or login identification and password. In 2013, AFPC added the chat feature to ensure the tools available to Airmen keep pace with emerging commercial technologies.
MyPers provides direct online access to reliable, integrated, secure information and answers, enhancing an Airman's ability to monitor and manage personnel information, said 2nd Lt. Zachary Newman, the AFPC Transitions Branch support officer.
"The chat feature gives Airmen a fast and convenient way to get answers directly from subject matter experts on specific questions that may not be available on the website," he said. 
The chat feature comes up automatically when members search for key topics like retirement, separation or retraining. Force management is not a topic that generates a chat but Airmen can ask about related questions during a retirements or separations chat. For example a service member applying for retirement or separation will be able to chat with a customer service representative about their application or ask a specific question on force management and get a real time response through chat or be directed to the proper reference by the customer service representative.
Following the session, the Total Force Service Center, or TFSC, emails a chat transcript to the member for his or her records. Records of a member's previous chats are also available on the myPers website. Chat hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST.
While myPers information is constantly refreshed to ensure Airmen have the most up to date information at their fingertips, the chat feature is a true example of a just-in-time to help Airmen through the current heightened force management activity, Newman said.
"We want to ensure Airmen always know where they can find the most current information," he said. "This is especially important in this climate of transformation. We do everything possible to ease the stress that is inherent whenever major policy changes occur. MyPers offers answers to questions covering a vast array of Air Force personnel issues, such as separations, base-of-preference, and the latest news on the upcoming force management programs."
The site recognizes users as officers, enlisted, civilians, reserveists or guardsmen, and provides customized access to personnel information and links to the most commonly used applications. Airmen can also find information on processing requests and timelines on the site.
"The myPers website should be the first stop for Airmen seeking access to personnel information services," Newman said. "However, if they find they need further assistance they can call the (TFSC) to speak to a customer service representative. The TFSC centralizes processes and access for most military and civilian personnel services and center phone staff can answer whatever questions an Airman might have on personnel topics."
To contact the TFSC, call 210-565-0102, DSN 665-0102 or toll free at 800-525-0102. Airmen can also select the contact us link to email questions to the TFSC. 
"We are constantly seeking new ways to better serve our Airmen," Newman said. "The myPers website with its multitude of topics and information gives Airmen efficient and timely tools to access and manage their personnel information anytime and anywhere they might be."
For more information about general personnel issues or the latest force management news, visit myPers.personnel