The original source of this email was the force shaping office themselves, and then followed up by some un-official hearsay from people who have sat in meetings regarding this info. A good friend at Vandenberg said his SQ/CC came in, asked for EVERY person in the 2002 YR group to immediatly submit their SOS and Masters degree completion rates, but would not give a reason why she wanted that info. Sounds like she heard the rumor of a RIF, even though AFPC told the AFTimes and me over the phone they likely weren't doing one...key word being "likely" The other hearsay source also involved another squadron commander who mentioned he heard about a RIF coming down the chain for this year and forwarded that info to a co-worker, who told me. I asked my squadron commander what she knew, and she has heard through unnoficial channels that there will be a RIF. She would not go into details. The one who sent the most detailed info to the co-worker mentioned that VSP is likely going to work like last year.

So basically we have what the force shaping office submitted to SECAF, which most of us seem to agree will not get the numbers, we also have a delay in them announcing the info, and we have three instances of squadron commanders either suggesting they know about a RIF, or asking for information ASAP from their 2002 yr group Captains that would only really be useful if a retention package needs to be put together. Every one of these examples are from people I know firsthand. Fishy.

Hopefully we get some money out of the deal, They could always toss us out right before we hit 6 and not pay us a dime.