Annual Bonuses Could Total Up To $455,000 Over A Career

The U.S. Air Force is facing what it calls a "national aircrew crisis", according to Air Force Personnel chief Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso (pictured), and the service is considering retention bonuses that could total up to $455,000 over a career in an effort to hold onto trained personnel.

Grosso's comments came during a recent hearing of the House Armed Services subcommittee on personnel.

Business Insider reports that last year, Congress increased the top retention bonuses by $10,000 to $35,000 per year. The Air Force had requested a cap of $48,000.

An Air Force pilot who stays with the service for 13 years and who receives the full $35,000 bonus each year would max out at $455,000 over their base pay, Grosso said.

Given the considerations of the $11 million cost to train a pilot to fly a 5th generation fighter, "a 1,200 fighter-pilot shortage amounts to a $12 billion capital loss for the United States Air Force," Grosso said.

The "national aircrew crisis" is the result of multiple factors, according to Grosso. Air Force Pilots have faced a high operational tempo over the past 30 years. Then there is the projected shortage of airline pilots, and FAA rules allowing military pilots with fewer flight hours to gain access to airline jobs than are required for civilian applicants. Jumping to an airline could mean an average raise of 17% over Air Force Pay. An overall frustration with some elements of with Air Force  life is also a factor, Grosso said.

The personnel chief said the Air Force is looking at potential changes in other areas as well, including tattoo and uniform standards.

(Image from file)

FMI: Full Article