The Air Force manpower problem

 DC Daily Journal:

Being commander-in-chief is too much for President Biden. He is way in over his head.

Because Joe Biden’s Air Force has collapsed and is forced to make a historically bad decision.

In a policy shift announced on Wednesday, the Air Force will be re-activating upwards of 1,000 previously retired airmen to fill important roles, alleviating the service’s recruitment crisis.

The Air Force announced that former officers and high-ranking enlisted individuals who served in highly skilled jobs are now eligible to reapply for the Voluntary Retired Return to Active Duty Program, which was revived by Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. The Air Force is facing “critical manning shortages,” and this action is part of “an effort to leverage the talents” of service retirees, according to the statement.

Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, stated that the program taps “into a valuable resource of retired members to fill critical roles to close the gap against our peer competitors.” She considered it an effective tool to embrace experienced talent, even if they are previously retired.

The Air Force is reportedly reaching out to retired officers with levels ranging from lieutenant colonel to captain in order to replace pilot positions, teach at Officer Training School or Squadron Officer School, and assist in other areas where the branch is short-handed. Applications are also being accepted from former enlisted troops from the grades of staff sergeant to senior master sergeant.

There has been no letup in the recruiting problems that surfaced throughout the 2023 fiscal year. Retention, which impacts the number of troops promoted, may also be an issue, according to recent policy revisions.

According to Military.com, the Air Force changed its “up-or-out” policy in December, which meant that some service members would be immediately kicked out if they didn’t get promoted within a set amount of time. There is a two-year promotion and separation policy for enlisted airmen.

The branch paid out huge bonuses — up to $50,000 — earlier that year to keep competent pilots on staff.
...

The Army and Navy are also having recruiting problems.  The only service that is not is the Marine Corps.  If this trend continues they may have to change their volunteer recruitment and go back to the old system.   

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