Originally Posted by
ugleeual
i would not count on a pilot (with an ADSC) to "voluntarily" depart in the next few years... the AF will "non-vol" pilots as they cannot protect a specific AFSC during RIFs. AF is still expected to be short pilots over the next 10 years... problem is most in heavies and not enough in RPA/Fighters.
I know several pilots with ADSC who would punch today if they could.
I know more pilots with and without ADSC who will stay as long as they can.
Horses for courses.
I think they can protect AFSC during a RIF - it's called "needs of the Air Force", but I don't think they will. I know they can target AFSCs as well.
My MAJCOM A1 staff recently (Oct) briefed we're 300+ pilots short and have no possible way to get healthy - can't make more, train more, or retain more. They know of the coming hiring boom (or at least all the news that reports/supports the concept) and they can't do anything about it. They know it's going to be worse than the late '90s...especially after a decade of deployments, 179s, 365s, and other "good deals" - despite my MAJCOM historically having one of the highest bonus take rates. And they will mis-manage it just as badly as they do everyvtime because they are reactionary instead of proactive...and they have to be, unfortunately.
Every change, however, is a possibility or opportunity. If someone wants out, with or without an ADSC, when they're reducing, force shaping, or whatever - that's as good a time as any.