New Separation History Exams offered Air Force wide Published March 18, 2015 By 2nd Lt. Jhanelle Haag 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Airmen who are getting ready to separate and retire are being given a helping hand with the new Air Force Separation History Physical and Exams Program which began Jan. 1, 2015. The program was created to help shorten the time Airmen had to wait for their disability determinations and related benefits to go through. The program is now a part of the out-processing check list and ensures Airmen who are getting ready to leave the service, receive a full medical review of their files and a physical. "The ultimate goal is to have every Airman's file fully processed before they leave," said Joel Legawiec, SHPE coordinator. "This will hopefully help with their transition into civilian life and the member won't have these appointments lingering or have to put off the appointments because of a job interview." The process can begin as early as six months from retiring or separating. The initial appointment takes approximately an hour where the Airman and Legawiec discuss previous medical issues and a hearing test is administered. Afterward, Legawiec schedules the necessary follow on appointments and physical. In the past, once service members separated or retired they would schedule appointments with the VA to have a physical and go over their medical history. Due to a number of different issues the process would take months and sometimes over a year. The Department of Defense recognized this problem and made it a priority for services to fix it. SHPE began as early as Nov. 2014 and is now in full effect across the Air Force. It's a win-win to help Airmen transition into civilian life and speed up in-processing with Veteran Affairs, explained Legawiec.