I know the FITREP issue is only one dimension of this problem solving effort, but it would be helpful (in my mind) to more precisely define what we're trying to fix. Why is the retention problem so much more pronounced in the VFA 1310 world? Are they really all going to the airlines (as many have asserted)? Is there any data on that? I'll be most interested to see the detailed results of the recent Retention Survey this fall. Seems like the "timing" factor is a problem for a lot of people, but timing can mean lots of different things. Are people griping about a scenario where two rock stars show up at once, yet only one can have a reasonable chance of getting a ticket punched? Legit gripe, IMO, which ought to be addressed differently in the FITREP system. On the other hand, I've heard a lot of people complain about/not really understand why a guy who just shows up to a command, rock star though he may be, probably isn't going to get an EP. I think there are a number of good reasons why we have people go through a progression like that, but there are lots of ways that could be changed too. At any rate, we ought to really understand what we're trying to changeand what behavior we're intending to modify.
For the record, this is one of the best threads in recent memory... and we're not even at each other's throats.