Just out of curiosity, what does a unit do with a person who has (rushed) been hired until a slot opens at TFOT? (Please tell me “wash planes” or something like that!)
If we can get them into a temporary technician or a title 5 job we do that- even a low level GS job is better than nothing. If they're military and already on active duty orders somewhere we work out with their home unit for them to keep their current job until they leave for TFOT. Or, if they're aircrew, they can come use their drills and AFTPs and AT with us.
If those aren't available there are some guys who have some pull with some local companies to get these guys jobs on the outside while they're waiting.
It's a pretty frustrating time- no one is happy with the amount of waiting, and pretty much every ANG unit is beating on the door of NGB to get us a way to fix this. We do have one guy who is using the time this summer to backpack the Appalachian Trail from start to finish, non stop.
The one nice thing is that once they are in the door they're on the clock, and we have orders and hotels and travel and per diem for them.