I found this info very interesting, especially the number of former USAF types getting hired in a single year. I know they have more pilots than us but I would be interested to know if the ratio was the similar to the hiring numbers on the slide or is the USAF really have a tougher time than we are retaining pilots?
At least they're acknowledging the issue, even if they've partially done it to themselves. They've been been letting guys go early from their commitments for a few years now. You can either Palace Chase and go into the Guard or Reserve to serve out the remainder of your commitment or be like the FedEx dude I was chatting with at a layover hotel. He got VSPed 3 years before his contract was up. He said 25-30 dudes in his squadron were all celebrating at the squadron bar when they found out they were approved. None of them could believe it, all thought it was too good to be true. The AF was letting them get out, no strings attached, and paying them to do it.
I used to fall asleep dreaming that the next day I'd get an email from my detailer telling me that they didn't want to keep me as fodder for the O-4/DH boards and I could get out early (only semi-kidding).
Moral of the story? In the Air Force, dreams DO come true.
Meanwhile, PERS 43 continues to insist there isn't a problem because they're able to fill fleet DH seats. Rumor on the street is that 23/65 VFA DH selects had resignation letters in. Dude I know who wasn't even OP-T got a call and will now be a fleet DH. And the Marine Corps is at 48% manning in the F-18 community. But DCA said there isn't a retention problem...