SecAF announced (via email that I saw, two minutes ago) they are cutting 2300 officers, due to 16-year record-high retention ("Gee, I wonder why?"), overmanning, and of course, they regret this action.

 

What's that mean for the rated recall dudes?

 

Wouldn't it be cool if they offered another round of VSP and people who got it before, get it again. haha

 

Being one of them, that's exactly what I wondered.

To be honest, though, I would be really surprised with pilot-cutting in flying billets. UPT production is actually going UP for the first time in two years (due to a trough a few years back). We're short-handed; involuntary separations would make it worse.

I think they'll try to cut guys who have retirement planned in the next 6 months; guys who have been twice passed-over. Just my guess.

 

It means my good buddy at CBM who came back in and missed a SWA class should have another shot at getting back there after all....

That recall to active may have just been a great port in a storm for a lot of good guys. Now the airlines are hiring and some of these guys may just have won the lottery.

 

Albie:

I want to stay in for my recall...I'm too old to start over in the airline business. Why would I leave a job with great pay and bennies (USAF as an O-5), to be a new hire, even if it was SWA, Emirates; you name it.

I want to sit tight in the USAF, flying my two sorties a day, for 2.5 more years, then go back to (hopefully) a United with the future prospects when I was hired, with growth, new aircraft, constantly improving seniority, and all JCBA/SLI/SOC issues behind me/us.

For the others who want to go: let my people go!

 

I don't see this playing any factor of rated recall. There's a Force Shaping Board (FSB) for certain year groups and a RIF for other year groups. These year groups are much younger than the rated recall folks.

There will be another SERB (selective early retirement board). Those who just met this last SERB are not eligible. This board will target those who already have 20 years active duty service (there are may be a few exceptions--but very few). Those eligible for this SERB are O-5's twice passed over for O-6 and O-6's with 4 yrs time in grade. (I think these are the criteria).

Should have minimal impact on the rated recall guys, unless you already have your 20+ years service, meet the SERB criteria, and did not meed the last SERB--less than a year ago. On top of this, very few rated folks will be targetted. Just enough to show it was across the board.

 

I know several with 18 TAFMS (rated-recall types) who would jump if they could get the retirement. Nothing in here allows for retirements with less than 20 TAFMS.

 

Ball:

You'll have to refresh my knowledge: what are TAFMS? Is that Total Active Federal Military Service?

I've got 28 calendar years, about 7600 total points, and 19.6 years of active-points. I was a Reservist prior to the recall. In the Reserves, I signed sanctuary-waivers for the last 4 years to get orders. It was my understanding, in this recall, that since I have not signed a sanctuary-waiver, if forced out, I can claim instant retirement.

Be curious to hear your take on this....and again, hoping I don't have to cross that bridge. I really don't want to get furloughed from the Air Force!

 

Basically, it's your active service. Pull up your virtual MPF and your TAFMS date should be close to 19.6 years ago. You'll also have a 1405 date which will give you additional credit (think points) towards retirement pay (approx 7600 days ago). This is where you get back credit for IDT, TPs... in your retirement check.

Not sure if you will even be SERB eligible. Even if you are, and then selected for manditory retirement, the required retirement date wouldn't be until spring 2012. Yes, you'd get an active retirement. Again, this is worse case. They are not targetting pilots, but by law they must be considered under a SERB as it's across the board. If you met the last SERB board or have not yet been twice deferred to O-6, you won't even be in the potential AF "furlough" pool. Best of luck.