A couple of thoughts here:

Don't forget to consider the value of the 20 year retirement to the NCOs. It's one thing for a college graduate (probably with a masters) and a highly technical skill to bail out after 10 years. But what is the chief motivator for a high school graduate to stay for 20, at which point is making the same as a 3 year LT? Income and medical security for the rest of his life at the age of 38. Start messing with that and watch what happens....

What about guard/reserve manning? With no pilots able to separate for the last two years how are those units doing with mid level manning? If they are short, combine that with the "rumored" airline situation in 2012, and there is a perceived threat to the retirement system... just wondering...

Bottom line is that the 20 year retirement system is a damn good deal. It saved my bacon when I lost my civilian flying job. However there is no question in my mind that I earned it. That being said, there already have been attacks on the benefits. Although there is a "free" version of TRICARE, to get the most out of it you have to pay. Dental care is hugely expensive and it seems to me, with a few exceptions, there are very few good deals left at the commissary and BX. If retirement keeps getting whiting away...

And finally, the flying only career track... as a retiree recall pilot it's working for me. I was recalled with the understanding that I wouldn't be eligible for promotion and I wouldn't be sent remote. So for three years I get to be a line IP in the salt mines of UPT. My flight CC is a second assignment Capt and my assistant Flt CC is a 1LT FAIP. I'm having a blast! You would not believe the peace of mind that comes with doing something you love to do without worry about getting a masters, making sure I get stratified on my evals (not sure I will even get an OPR), or being the Christmas party projo. So it would seem the AF is also benefiting, they have a happy experienced IP with over 5000 hours in 6 different airplanes who gets to spend all his time teaching students...what a concept...