Big Bonus on table for USAF fighter pilots
#21
This.
Guys that were going to stay in any way will take it, the rest will laugh and carry on. $225k for four years with guaranteed flying orders for the duration, and my run for the door might slow to a fast walk for a few steps.
In a twist of fate the Marines are paying F-18 O-4s $200k to get out.
Guys that were going to stay in any way will take it, the rest will laugh and carry on. $225k for four years with guaranteed flying orders for the duration, and my run for the door might slow to a fast walk for a few steps.
In a twist of fate the Marines are paying F-18 O-4s $200k to get out.

I'm only in touch with a few still serving so I haven't heard of this Grumble. What is the reason? Simple overstaffing? The Marines have historically controlled their manpower needs on the entry level - not offered early outs or the like.
Do you remember the USN/USMC ever offering money upfront on the bonuses?
#22
True to a point. I managed to garner CZTE for 14 months straight which encompassed my entire first "half up front" bonus year in 2000. As an officer, you are capped at CZTE to the maximum of an E9 pay. What that did was reduce me from the 35% tax bracket to the 28% bracket and I got $13.5K refund that year.
#23
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Joined: Dec 2007
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For those at the 11 year point who are considering this, please read the fine print. My question is this:
If you get passed over for O-5, can the AF involuntarily separate you?
If you are RIF'd, will the AF require you to pay back your remaining bonus?
Bottom line:
- under what terms can YOU get out of the bonus early?
- under what terms can the AF terminate the contract unilaterally?
If you get passed over for O-5, can the AF involuntarily separate you?
If you are RIF'd, will the AF require you to pay back your remaining bonus?
Bottom line:
- under what terms can YOU get out of the bonus early?
- under what terms can the AF terminate the contract unilaterally?
actually, as a ftr pilot, would it be so bad to be passed over yet paid a bonus every year until 20? betcha fly til 20. that might actually be a dream for many.
#24
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Joined: Dec 2007
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also, my understanding is that there is no option for those who have already signed a bonus to sign another one. anybody know if this is true?
didn't they used to allow dudes who signed a 5yr that had run out the chance to sign again?
didn't they used to allow dudes who signed a 5yr that had run out the chance to sign again?
#25
However, nowhere in the contract does it say this will happen.
I would expect at least one year-long non-flying assignment. Not that it is a bad thing.
And in 9 years, a lot will change: world situation, pilot manning, new AOR's, etc...
Remember, the AF makes the rules on this. Not you.
#26
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With the exception of inside our homes, and thats only to some degree, all the rules in our lives are made by somebody else...thats life. You take the info at present, reasonable expectations for the future, and then come up with a likely outcome to act on.
Passed over ftr guys i'm sure will be offered continuation unless they have a dui or something. we'll probably be hearing next week about a ftr recall from retirement or separation.
Word on the street is this bonus isn't going to move the needle much at all. maybe a few percent. you never know though, ftr guys are notorious for saying one thing in the ego boosting social settings but doing another when alone on an island. lol
Passed over ftr guys i'm sure will be offered continuation unless they have a dui or something. we'll probably be hearing next week about a ftr recall from retirement or separation.
Word on the street is this bonus isn't going to move the needle much at all. maybe a few percent. you never know though, ftr guys are notorious for saying one thing in the ego boosting social settings but doing another when alone on an island. lol
#27
Guys coming out of UPT now have a ten year commitment. This bonus will take them to 20, give or take a year. I agree, the bonus needs to go up and it will probably only affect less than 8% of the crowd's decision to stay in or get out.
My decision to stay in was more influenced by the civilian hiring picture in 2004, but I was happy to get the 5 year bonus as I was staying in anyway. Now at 19 years in, I can't wait until next June when I can pull the handles. Sequestration non flying is sapping my will to live.
My decision to stay in was more influenced by the civilian hiring picture in 2004, but I was happy to get the 5 year bonus as I was staying in anyway. Now at 19 years in, I can't wait until next June when I can pull the handles. Sequestration non flying is sapping my will to live.
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2009
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Timing (except CAS) was never my strong suit it seems! 
I'm only in touch with a few still serving so I haven't heard of this Grumble. What is the reason? Simple overstaffing? The Marines have historically controlled their manpower needs on the entry level - not offered early outs or the like.
Do you remember the USN/USMC ever offering money upfront on the bonuses?

I'm only in touch with a few still serving so I haven't heard of this Grumble. What is the reason? Simple overstaffing? The Marines have historically controlled their manpower needs on the entry level - not offered early outs or the like.
Do you remember the USN/USMC ever offering money upfront on the bonuses?
Back around 2005ish the Navy offered a pseudo VSP whereby guys basically put in bids for what they would be willing to take to walk away, and the Navy accepted/rejected. Like a reverse auction.
#29
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Joined: Dec 2007
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You wonder if they were offered a job in the USAF. Wouldn't be unprecedented given the blue to green of years past. AF could have kept the old bonus, Marines could have kept the 200k, and all would be right in the ftr world. Nah, that would make too much sense.
#30
Guys coming out of UPT now have a ten year commitment. This bonus will take them to 20, give or take a year. I agree, the bonus needs to go up and it will probably only affect less than 8% of the crowd's decision to stay in or get out.
My decision to stay in was more influenced by the civilian hiring picture in 2004, but I was happy to get the 5 year bonus as I was staying in anyway. Now at 19 years in, I can't wait until next June when I can pull the handles. Sequestration non flying is sapping my will to live.
My decision to stay in was more influenced by the civilian hiring picture in 2004, but I was happy to get the 5 year bonus as I was staying in anyway. Now at 19 years in, I can't wait until next June when I can pull the handles. Sequestration non flying is sapping my will to live.
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