SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Airmen pursue off-duty employment for benefits such as extra income, more family insurance or to consume time. A second job can be valuable as long as Airmen acquire it using proper procedures.

The Department of Defense 5500 7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, Section 2-206a, discusses the proper channels to go through when pursuing a second job.

It states, "a Department of Defense employee, other than a special government employee ... shall obtain written approval from the agency designee before engaging in a business activity or compensated outside employment with a prohibited source, unless general approval has been given in accordance with subsection 2-206(b) of this regulation."

It also states that once the Airman has all of the necessary permissions, he or she can begin their desired off-duty employment. However, the second job must not hinder military performance.

Master Sgt. Regan Crowder, 982nd Training Group first sergeant, said he believes Airmen should make sure they allow themselves a sufficient rest period after an off-duty shift is over.

"If an Airman works a full duty-day they will need some rest. The AFIs and regulations protect Airmen by keeping them from being over-worked," he said.

Although the DoD regulation governs all military services, an Air Force Instruction exists specifically for medical personnel.

Air Force Instruction 44-102, Medical Care Management, specifies, "a period of at least six hours of rest must elapse between the end of the off-duty employment and the start of the duty period."

Airmen should also make sure they're not exhausting themselves by working too much.

"Off-duty employment shall not exceed 16 hours per week. This limitation does not apply to off-duty employment performed while on official leave status. (With the exception being that) the (flight commander) may approve periods that exceed 16 hours per week," it states.

Location of the off-duty employment could possibly interfere with the duties of an Airman.

AFI 44-102 states, "Military personnel may only work at a site that is close enough to allow the individual to return promptly if military duty requires return...For off-duty employment during non-duty hours of normal duty days, providers must be able to return within two hours by land. Personnel may not travel by air beyond acceptable land travel distances for travel time."

For off-duty employment during non-duty days or when on official leave status, personnel are not restricted by the two-hour return time, it states. "

The guidelines list Air Force standards while protecting Airmen at the same time, said Sergeant Crowder.
For those interested, more guidelines for off-duty employment are available in DoD 5500 7-R and AFI 44-102.