HAC just means sign for the aircraft plus absolute basic missions (SAR/LOG).
Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't the SWTP .6 correct this and make HAC and ASUW married up now? ASUW could technically be earned without HAC, but not the other way around?
Since we're bashing on RW, and rightfully so, both HSM and HSC baby the HAC process. I remember being on a CQ one night and some of the T-45's were hitting their bingo and the DH OIC at the time said "Damn, those guys are real pilots." I had to ask "are you suggesting that we couldn't find our way back to North Island if we hit our bingo?" He answered affirmatively. I was stunned. It killed me to think I, and my peers were thought of so lowly. It shouldn't take so long to make HAC. ASUW Level 3? Sure. But not basic HAC.
Also, I don't see how these changes fix FITREP issues outside possibly reducing the effect of bad timing if there annual reviews based on when the member showed up vice the January and CoC shenanigans that happen each time.
The numbers previously given about nom-round competitiveness seem about right to me. I just did the math of my peer group. 43% went to either Station SAR or non flying gigs (against their wishes); and there's one that took a production job offer but whose FITREP will not be good enough past that.