AFMC lifts hiring freeze Published March 6, 2012 By Brian Brackens Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Citing the success of hiring controls and voluntary separation and retirement incentives, Air Force Materiel Command officials here announced March 6, 2012, the end of the command-wide hiring freeze. "We've had to make some really tough choices as we restructure our workforce to meet the needs of the Air Force," said John Steenbock, AFMC director of Manpower, Personnel and Services. "But the measures we've taken have been effective and have put us in position to begin hiring again." Effective immediately, centers throughout the command will be able to hire new employees in order to meet urgent mission requirements, but in some cases may remain under locally imposed hiring controls. AFMC's hiring freeze had been in place since August 2011, and was enacted as a measure to control civilian employment numbers in order to meet funding and work-year targets. During this time, the freeze helped reduce employment numbers to lower than expected levels. Command officials cautioned that despite the lift, the command must stay within required funding targets as it enters the next fiscal year. AFMC officials also said the command would continue using voluntary methods to retain civilian employees who are currently in positions that have been identified as surplus, and that impacted individuals would receive priority for open positions for which they qualify.