Originally Posted by
FlewNavy
Navy bonus for pilots is effectively the same which means its worth less this year than it was last year etc. They have been paying 125K for 15+ years now? Never adjusted for inflation and it was fine during the "lost decade" when it was hard to get out for an airline gig but the AD pain has increased and I honestly don't think it will be enough to keep guys in for a DH tour.
You're assuming the bonus was a carrot for folks to stay in in the first place. I don't know a single person that put the bonus in their calculus to stay in/get out. I would classify it as a 'nice to have' if you're staying in. The idea that the retention bonus is just that, a retention bonus is a false assumption by both BUPERS and AFPC in my opinion. Dudes get out because they want a change, want to do something else or simply want a better/different QOL. Either way, if the bonus is at all a carrot that the personnel commands think it is, its no where near enough in today's external hiring climate.