Posted on 11/10/2017 7:34:11 AM PST by SkyPilot
The secretary of Air Force said that, after weathering a 1,500-pilot shortfall last summer, the problem has escalated to being 1,926 pilots short -- or missing 1 in 10 of a force that's supposed to have 20,000 pilots.
Secretary Heather Wilson told Pentagon reporters today that "it's not just pilots, though, and air crew, when it comes to readiness."
"It is spare parts and flying hours and munitions," she noted. "So increasing the readiness of the force so that we win any fight, any time, is our top priority."
The biggest reason for the pilot shortage, in the secretary's view, "is that we are too small for all the missions that we're being asked to carry out on behalf of the nation -- and as a result, we're burning out our people."
"Surge has become the new normal in the United States Air Force, and you can do that for a year, or two years, or maybe even three or four years. But we're asking -- I met someone last week who has just come back from his 17th deployment -- 17 deployments," she continued. "Less than one percent of Americans serve in uniform and protect the rest of us, and they are carrying a very heavy burden. And at some point, families make a decision: that they just can't keep doing this at this pace, and I think that's the biggest thing we're facing, is we're burning out our people, because we're too small for what the nation is asking."
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
I am a retired Air Force pilot, however, to requal me would take many months. More likely, the recall would be to place pilots into rated staff positions, in order to place active pilots back into cockpit positions. But to recall retired pilots back to active duty would be an incredible step. Short of war, I used to think it would be politically untenable. But no longer.<>
Ping
They could allow NCO’s to certify...
The link doesn’t work.
IIRC most Army pilots are warrant officers.
both my AF pilot cousins retired/resigned during unbelievable Obama years sincethey were such a downer for them. pity for the nation.
Sounds like a salary shortage problem. Double the pay and they’ll have a surplus in short order.
Part of the problem is reflected by having an Air Force Secretary named “Heather”. I actively discourage my sons from having anything to do with the feminized, sodomized military. The Obama/McCain/Bush legacy
Part of the problem is reflected by having an Air Force Secretary named “Heather”. I actively discourage my sons from having anything to do with the feminized, sodomized military. The Obama/McCain/Bush legacy
True.
It’s my contention that the military chased away real men with bad public school, all the military’s social engineering and leftism. They took the honor and the constitution out of service.
Where are the Romney boys? Where are the Sununu boys? Where are the Trump boys? Support the troops; join them.
Trump executive order lets Air Force recall up to 1,000 retired pilots for active duty
Yes, add in the former Secretary of the Army and really 16 years of the lavender mafia going into the GS military positions and this is what happens. It is discouraging.
The military has to be an environment that attracts, not repels.
If you can qualify to fly, why is a college degree necessary?
Start up the flight schools again. Once upon a time we had a couple of dozen operating.. Now there are three I think. Two years of college and pass the stanine and physical and off you go. Aviation Cadets worked last time. Takes about a year to finish basics. I bet a lot of Enlisted men would like to try too. Nice jump in pay and better food too.
Education always helps. General ignorance is detrimental to success in any endeavor
Money isn’t everything. Would you work under Obama for twice your salary? Pay may be part of the problem but don’t forget the PC culture drives away many of our finest. It will take time to turn it around, I hope we have it.
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