Originally Posted by
C-17 Driver
Prior active duty and long time Reservist here. Currently sitting as a SQ/CC.
One problem I’m having is my manning document, specifically that I’m limited in size. I only have so many slots I can hire to and pit overages against. I would hire more, but I only have so many flight hours and simulator periods to allocate. If they plus up my manning document, I can hire more folks from active duty. We are turning away some high quality pilots because insimolybdont have the room. Im
at 125% manned as it is.
I just pushed the retirement button. I just saw the headline that POTUS is considering sending 50,000 troops. Looked like there’s a a chance I will be stop-lossed. What a fitting end to a 26 year career..
The more things change, the more they stay the same. 20 years watching this, with the operators telling leadership they're the problem. Leadership all looks at each other and says "they're wrong we can fix this." Lather rinse repeat.
For anyone out there reading this thread, don't think the USAF has 2000 cockpits sitting empty. It's staff wiener positions that are sitting empty, not jets. Get rid of half the GO's, and their bloated staffs and you can cut 75% of that pilot shortage. Stop cutting flight hours and let dudes actually stay in the jet and the problem is solved. Want to put on O-6, then play the game. Want to stay in the jet and fly your whole career, terminal O-3/4 at 20. Better yet let the AD guys follow a ANG/AFR construct and never PCS and have stable family lives.