General Chang

Man, you are cynical! I'm sorry, but stop messing with people's minds. It's just not right. No CC worth his salt would hold this against someone. I'm not saying they're not out there, but for the sake of the young guys reading these blogs, either you are the most unfortunate son-of-a-gun to see all of these horrible things during your AF career (reference, um, nearly everything you post), or most CCs out there aren't nearly as evil as you think they are. For heaven's sake, Rusty...

The board members don't see ADSCs.

Most staff officers will likely be safe. The denominator on these published numbers is deceiving because of this. Wing-level guys with zero staff experience are likely more vulnerable to a RIF.

Bait & switch? Really? I don't think so. There's zero mystery when you sign on the dotted line that you lose all control. Zero. Say this with me: "I do not have to take the bonus. I do not have to take the bonus. I do not have to take the bonus." No slavery here. Would I take the bonus? Heck yes! But I recognize that a personal price is paid if I do. I trade power for money, just like 60-70% choose to do every year. Trust me, personnelists never have and never will make promises to get you to sign. We don't need to, and besides, it's unethical. Your complaints above fall on deaf ears.

ZB, how else would you propose we strat people? Doesn't a senior rater know better who the bottom-rung officers are than a random board member?

What?!? C'mon, the bonus means providing an extremely important measure of stability in the personnel planning process for the AF. Think about it guys--if you were a CEO of a private company & could lock down your absolute best-of-the-best, top talent for 5-9 years for a mere $25K/year, you would do it IN A HEARTBEAT. That's a ridiculously good return on investment. If you end up cutting some later on because you kept a few too many, who really cares? You (the CEO) bought the right to be able to control the destiny of your workforce, just as they signed away their right to control their destiny...again, for a mere $25K/yr. No, my friend, the bonus will not be going away for pilots. It's way, WAY too cheap of a price for guaranteed, long-term control of highly skilled assets. Now, if you want to discuss whether pilots should take the bonus...that's an entirely different philosophical discussion.

There will be a bonus. No question. Only question is how much. I anticipate little to no change.

If I were an -11U, I would not automatically assume that I can apply for various separation programs based upon a mobility aircraft RDTM, despite the guidance. That mistake will likely be rectified; keep your eyes peeled for potential future updates. Thanks to everyone for your candor over the last 2 weeks.

In all seriousness...and I know, I'm usually extremely sarcastic (which drives Champ and Rusty nuts), but not in this instance....please give me straight-forward, honest feedback on why you (if applicable) are so confident that things in the civilian world will be significantly better for you, your family, your sense of purpose, your paycheck...your life. Is there nothing redeeming anymore about a full Air Force career? Is "Air Force Career" a dirty phrase? There's so much anger on BODN, I don't think General Welsh could do anything to please many of you. I don't see that much anger in real life, so I'm trying to understand the disconnect. Thanks in advance for the straight-forward, specific responses. And if you love what you do, please don't be afraid to post as well. Edited for spelling- thanks Barnes.

I hear you, but transparency can be dangerous too (at times when rumor control is difficult). Trust Brig Gen Grosso- I promise you, she is a leader of great character who has the Air Force's best interest at heart, as should we all (core value #2). Patience my friend, patience. Reference my post above.

Look, everyone needs to just take a deep breath and relax. This delay is a good thing. Have faith that the personnelists in the Pentagon are taking a second look at the $$ and AFSCs involved based on the ever-changing fiscal realities. You may not be required for VSP selection and (consequently) have the opportunity to continue serving your country! In through the nose....out through the mouth....everything will be ok....

I tell you guys MONTHS ago that these programs were coming, and now you are calling Liquid and me out? Really? BL: We must get smaller. Our senior leaders have determined that 10% fat legitimately remains to be trimmed. These programs are the first steps in that multi-year fat-trimming process. We serve at the pleasure of our senior leaders, and when our usefulness expires, so do our careers. Just the facts, nothing personal.

The Air Force does care. Have you seen the money we're throwing at fighter pilots this year? Incredible opportunity!

Thank you.

Correct.

Umm, earth to Rusty...by definition, they are all the same. Stop whining.

Hmmm...you say that the bonus is significantly better, then you make my point for me talking about the value of $25K per year while calling me names. Again, don't delude yourself Mr. Helo; $25K per year is all you'll be offered. And for only 5 years. Take solace, however...you won't be stop-lossed if you don't take it. :-)

Thank you Hacker...at least someone on here reads my full post. "The Bonus did not same the same...11F's were offered a much different deal than they were years past. I wouldn't be surprised if that crosses into other communities next year." Helodude, did you miss the word "annually" in your haste to disagree? I know you are hoping beyond all hope that -11Hs will be included in the fighter plan next year.......not going to happen. See? Even the "disgruntled majority" (so-called) are taking the bonus. I rest my case. Have a great Air Force week.

Concur at P-gon. Like I said, senior leaders are not worried in the slightest (reference pilot bonus staying the same annually). A few disgruntled pilots on BODN does not a crisis make. Mark my words- pilots will stick around for the assurance of great compensation and a decent bonus program. As I've said all along, there are no studies to indicate even the hint of a troubling exodus of pilots to the airlines until 2017 earliest, if ever. You do not need to fear for the future of your beloved Air Force...it is in good hands.

Not going to happen. No need.

Nice. Elevating the conversation.

DE designator means nothing. The system automatically places it there by virtue of BPZ. Once you make Col-select, whether a prior SDE-select or never-SDE-select, it means nothing. If the Colonel's Group wants to send you (and they usually do), then you go. If they need you to work and skip SDE, depending on the career field, you do that. In other words, you are at the mercy of DPO. You don't even get to fill out an ADP anymore, because they don't even look at it. As a Colonel, you are completely "needs of the AF." The funny thing is, some guys drive hard their entire careers to be Colonels. Then, when they make it, they complain about the 365, followed by assignment to crapville, and complain that they've lost all control of their careers. And they are correct; as a Colonel, you lose virtually all control over or input into your career. Except, of course, the day you retire (but even on that issue, there's only two windows during the year in which a Colonel can control his retirement date).

And his boss, the AF/A1, is a ___________________. You're smart, I'll let you fill-in-the-blank, Azimuth.

Umm, incorrect. Once an officer is selected for Colonel, even if a previous SDE-select, there is no guarantee of school. The individual no longer meets the DEDB- they meet a special school panel in DPO with no guarantee of school. DPO will try to get O-6 BPZers to school as well, even if not previously SDE-select, but not required and no guarantees. You pilot idiots want to argue with someone deep in the personnel world about a personnel issue? Stick to airplanes, flyboys. You're not as briliiant as you think you are. For O-5 and above, strats first, followed by breadth (depth is assumed unless indicated otherwise).

Sure, I'll bite...it's one thing to offer opinions on here. Quite a different thing to cite procedures and numbers as fact without a clue what you're talking about.