FY17 pilot bonus program
 

Anybody hear or know about details regarding FY17 pilot retention bonus? Heard a rumor last night that it could be doubling. BS?

Navy bonus for pilots is effectively the same which means its worth less this year than it was last year etc. They have been paying 125K for 15+ years now? Never adjusted for inflation and it was fine during the "lost decade" when it was hard to get out for an airline gig but the AD pain has increased and I honestly don't think it will be enough to keep guys in for a DH tour.

Are you saying the navy's FY17 bonus has been released already?

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-np...ages/ACCP.aspx

Its been on the NPC website.

Authority for the bonus is established in law. NPC (and USAF counterpart, AFPC) made a play recently to get Congress to increase the authority. Didn't happen. And it can't change until Congress changes the law.

The laughable 75k bonus for non-tacair types is a nice middle finger too. Big Navy still thinks it's 2008 recession time.

You're assuming the bonus was a carrot for folks to stay in in the first place. I don't know a single person that put the bonus in their calculus to stay in/get out. I would classify it as a 'nice to have' if you're staying in. The idea that the retention bonus is just that, a retention bonus is a false assumption by both BUPERS and AFPC in my opinion. Dudes get out because they want a change, want to do something else or simply want a better/different QOL. Either way, if the bonus is at all a carrot that the personnel commands think it is, its no where near enough in today's external hiring climate.

When was the last time the ACIP was changed? That needs to be adjusted for inflation.

Guys talk a big game with the bone-us, but I think it is more of a kitchen table player than a ready room talk player as far as the calculus goes. That money, however paltry it is for the pain that you endure, can make a difference.
$75k for non-tacair is them basically saying "thanks for your time, but we will get enough of you to stay without paying you anything." After taxes and dividing it up into installments, it may as well be nothing.

I remember a brief from PERS43 that basically said the bonus had been studied and that it didn't impact retention numbers. Those that stay in would do so regardless of the bonus and those that get out can't be swayed with money.

I took the devil's money because I knew I was staying in for 20 based on enlisted time + initial winging obligation. I am going to walk at 20 years and 1 day if I can even though I'm leaving from a staff tour.