TankerDriver

The AF is a little late with planning retention, but it doesn't suprise me. As said above, the floodgates are open and lots of AF pilots are taking advantage of it (mostly the airlift/tanker world). I took advantage of the Palace Chase program and got out with 7 years left of service commitment and there were at least a dozen more approved at my base alone over the past year or so. The AF is trying to do more with less, as if we haven't been doing it already.

Naturally, bonuses will probably go up if they figure out they're in desperate need of pilots in about 5-10 years (which there will be, big time!), but the pilot bonus is already $125,000 to sign for another 5 years ($25k a year in your pay) and hasn't changed for quite some time. Unfortunately, once you meet your flying gate-month requirement, it gets harder and harder to land flying assignments and if you do land an assignment with a flying squadron, you'll definitely get put into job where you do not fly very often (Ops-O, Chief of Stan/Eval, Chief of Command Post, Chief of this, Chief of that, etc...). The Air Force only needs you to fly for your first 10 years (roughly 3 flying assignments). With assignments now going to 4 years for officers instead of 3 (another way for them to save money), it may get even harder to land more than 3 flying assignments. There comes a point in your active duty AF career where they want you to be a leader, not a line pilot and that is right about at your 10-12 year service point. Flying airplanes in the military only advances your career so far and if you want to make rank (O-5 and beyond), you have to play the game. The pilots who take the bonus usually don't fly/deploy much anyway at that point. The typical Major type may do his/her one 60-120 day staff deployment as an Ops Officer, but he/she most likely will not be gone 220+ days a year as a line pilot. I've known Major types who've burried themselves behind a desk and haven't deployed in 2 years. They fly once a month to stay current and that's it. They rarely go TDY, even on a 1-2 week trip, but yet, they wear the flight suit and wings on their chest. Sad really, but that's the way it is.

Bottom line, the money is tempting, but if you want to fly airplanes for a living, going to the guard/reserves and pursuing the commercial world is the way to go. If you want the whole person military experience, take the bonus and do your 20 years. This doesn't mean you cannot get back into the flying world after sitting behind a desk for 4-6 years, but what do the airlines like to see? Recency of experience.

codycm

I whole heartly agree with TankerDriver. I am at the 10yr point and leaving the Air Force with the "Voluntary Separation Pay" program. The Air Force is paying me a lot of money to leave (close to 2 years pay). I do believe they are going to have retention problems in the future and they don't see it now. As my squadron commander said, "There is a 2x4 swinging that the Air Force doesn't see. It is going to hit them square in the face in the next year or two."

As for the desk job, that is so true. THis is the only reason I am leaving. It has nothing to do with how long I am gone. I think anybody that flies airplanes is going to be gone 180+ days a year, just a fact of flying life. I am leaving because I want to fly airplanes. If you fly airplanes in the Air Force you don't get promoted. If you don't get promoted past Major, you could be setting yourself up to get cut right before retirement. The Air Force hasn't done that much in the past, but with them paying people to get out, I can see this being a real problem in the future. If you want an AF retirement, you probably should at least make Lt Col to be safe. The only way to do this is to do the desk jobs. If you love flying as much as I do, then you need to depart and fly for the commercial industry. If you like the military side of flying, then you can get a part-time job with the Guard/Reserves.

The Air Force does need leaders though. I respect the guys that want to do that job and enjoy it. To each their own.

BBHawg

The FY07 Aviator Continuation Bonus has been approved. Has anyone seen or heard what the numbers are?

CVG767A

Not to hijack the thread, but I think you'll be gone less with the airlines. I'm just closing out my logbook, and after my next (and last) trip for the year, I'll have worked 141 days, and have spent 93 nights in a hotel.

wally24

Does anyone find the 12 year contract excessive for a pilot? I have been looking into it pretty seriously, but the contract is pretty intimidating considering my age. I want to fly, but it seems that some of you are happy you are out and not flying for the air force any more. Is the guard really the best way to go?

1Seat 1Engine

Is it up to 12 years now? That requirement length seems to change every year and I wouldn't be suprised if they shortened it while you were on active duty. I think I signed up under a 10 year commitment but in the early 90's it got as short as 6 years and they retroactively shortened my commitment with it. Then it went back up. It also seems like about every 5 years or so, the flesh peddlers figure out that they've screwed up their power point graphs and they offer some kind of early out.

If I was in your shoes, I'd do it again, even with a 12 year commitment.

The ANG is a great way to go also. However, getting an ANG slot can be a little problematic. Each unit is different and has a different method of getting hired. Once you're hired in a unit, you're stuck with it for a long time so make sure that it's the one you want. If there's a place you want to go, flying the kind of jet you want to fly, pledge away. Show up on a friday with a bottle of Jerimiah Weed (cold) and talk too the Ops-O or CC.

Mink

Navy is still in the "We have too many people" mindset. Be interesting to see the reaction when they realize they're out of synch - again - with the retention sin wave.

MEMFO4Ever

No F'ing way. After only 6 years of Operation Deny Christmas and Operation Provide Hot Food To Some Armpit I was sick of it. I can't imagine doing 12 years of hard time.

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

wally24

Maybe I was unclear, 2 years UPT + 10 Years active duty= 12 years total. Still seems very long though.

C5Guy

2 Years of UPT? When did that happen?