Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP - The Bonus)

[pcola]

The way I understand it is you get the same total amount with either option, the only difference is how much you take up front sts.
For example, an 11F signs for 7 years = $245k total. You can choose to receive that 245 in 7 equal installments of $35k each or you can get $100k up front with the remaining $145k disbursed in the 6 remaining installments (of ~$24k each.)
Maybe I misunderstood though...

[Krypto]

4 minutes ago, pcola said:

The way I understand it is you get the same total amount with either option, the only difference is how much you take up front sts.
For example, an 11F signs for 7 years = $245k total. You can choose to receive that 245 in 7 equal installments of $35k each or you can get $100k up front with the remaining $145k disbursed in the 6 remaining installments (of ~$24k each.)
Maybe I misunderstood though...

Concur.  With the remainder after the lump sum still being paid out each year, it doesn't seem like there's much reason to not take the lump sum option.  Unless you just know you're the kind of person who can't hold onto the money without spending it.

[nunya]

46 minutes ago, pcola said:

The way I understand it is you get the same total amount with either option, the only difference is how much you take up front sts.
For example, an 11F signs for 7 years = $245k total. You can choose to receive that 245 in 7 equal installments of $35k each or you can get $100k up front with the remaining $145k disbursed in the 6 remaining installments (of ~$24k each.)
Maybe I misunderstood though...

If that's the case then unregard me.

[Saskwatch]

I have seen the full PSDM and how pcola describes it is how it is written.  I also talked to a reliable source at an FSS who say they have the PSDM but we’re told hold off on the official release maybe due to a possible change in it but I don’t know for sure.  

[Warrior]

I have seen the full PSDM and how pcola describes it is how it is written.  I also talked to a reliable source at an FSS who say they have the PSDM but we’re told hold off on the official release maybe due to a possible change in it but I don’t know for sure.  

That sounds about par for the course. How many changes were there to the IDE/SDE PSDM? I’m also super impressed with the myVector process for the winter VML.

[memelord]

Applied Friday, got the “denied” because it’s “not officially released” yet.

[DC]

What option is available to the 1-year takers from last year?

If it's the Tier 6 (CE) option that forces at least 22 YAS that's not a nice thing to do to folks that gave you the benefit of the doubt to stick around to see if you fixed things.

I know last year's PSDM gave no guarantees but extra mandatory years tacked on the end just because that's what's normally given to 5yr contract expirees is an insult and oversight  if you ask me.

I suppose the devil is in the details of this year's PSDM. I'm not a 1-year taker but I know quite a few that are anf would go to 20 years military service but not 22 YAS that'll now probably punch and look for AFRES options to get to 20. 

Edited May 1, 2018 by DC

[Swizzle]

The AvB AFI doesn't say anything about this issue that could affect 1 year takers this year.

If this take-you-to-22 YAS service is a thing, talk about screwing over trust. Should've figured...

[Hunter Rose]

53 minutes ago, Swizzle said:

The AvB AFI doesn't say anything about this issue that could affect 1 year takers this year.

If this take-you-to-22 YAS service is a thing, talk about screwing over trust. Should've figured...

 

Welcome to the world of those who took a bonus only to see subsequent year groups get better deals for more money. 

It’s the gamble you take. 

Is anyone really surprised that the USAF still thinks they can get 6-9 year ADSC’s for peanuts in bonus money?

Edited May 1, 2018 by Hunter Rose

[otsap]

The way I read the chart posted on the previous page is that Tier 6 and 7 can sign the bonus for a "minimum" of 3 years, but up to 22 YAS.  Tier 8 has one option; 5 years.  So if you took the 1 year option last year, you wouldn't be "initial eligible" (Tiers 1-5), but Tiers 6-8 would apply to you instead, and you'd be able to sign for 3 more years at a minimum, not to exceed 22 YAS.  And I've never been wrong before.

The most confusing part of that chart to me is how it applies to an 11U that is not initial eligible.  It looks like such a person would be in Tier 6, but also Tier 8.  Tier 8 gives an 11U $35K a year for 5 years ($175k), specifically.  But if an 11U wanted to sign up for 1 year more, or 6 years total, then according to Tier 6 they get $30k a year (180k).  So signing up for one more year only adds $5k to your total.  It shouldn't be so convoluted.

[DC]

Hmmm I think youre right. I'll stand down my outrage. For now...

Edited May 2, 2018 by DC

[Hunter Rose]

1 hour ago, otsap said:

The way I read the chart posted on the previous page is that Tier 6 and 7 can sign the bonus for a "minimum" of 3 years, but up to 22 YAS.  Tier 8 has one option; 5 years.  So if you took the 1 year option last year, you wouldn't be "initial eligible" (Tiers 1-5), but Tiers 6-8 would apply to you instead, and you'd be able to sign for 3 more years at a minimum, not to exceed 22 YAS.  And I've never been wrong before.

 

Unfortunately I think you are wrong this time. 

The verbiage in the draft that someone posted on Facebook looks the same as last year. What it means is for contract expired folks, you can sign a second contract to either 22, 23, or 24 YAS but it must be a 3-year minimum. So if you are at 20 YAS, you’d have to sign until 23 YAS. 

 

I’d love to be able to sign another bonus contract for 3 years only, but sadly I don’t think that will happen. 

That being said, the draft I saw also had verbiage that lumped the 1-yr contract in with the initial eligible folks and then explained their options So I don’t think they won your guys will get screwed. Just got a wait until it’s actually released since they like to make last-minute changes.

 

Edited May 1, 2018 by Hunter Rose

[LeftyU2]

On 4/26/2018 at 8:41 AM, bronxbomber252 said:

Was given this with word that the official announcement will be today:

So I've seen this floating around and it's nice to have for SA...but any idea when the official PSDM 18-34 will drop (again)?

[memelord]

So I've seen this floating around and it's nice to have for SA...but any idea when the official PSDM 18-34 will drop (again)?

Rumor was last week sooooo....The links in the “officially released” PSDM still go to the old 2017 myPers pages and the application drop down menus are all old and don’t match the new tiers. This rollout has been breathtaking.

 

Is it just me or is this the norm for bonus drop? Instead of getting everything behind the scenes squared away before the official release they wait to see how pissed everyone is at the offerings, THEN they make their final adjustments based on public outrage, and THEN officially officially officially release it?

 

Edited for sport bitching.

[FourFans]

19 hours ago, memelord said:

Is it just me or is this the norm for bonus drop?

I was a 2015 taker (5-year option, thankfully).  Yes, this level of buffoonery is completely normal. 

Opaque this new clear.

[Hunter Rose]

The problem to me is that the GOs who are the actual decision makers on things like the bonus seem to be perpetually years behind the issue.  The bonus structure above should have been offered 3-4 years ago. $35K then might have gotten some contract expired folks (experienced IPs/EPs) to sign on until 22 YAS, but now it won't affect anyone.

 

Even with 17.5  years in, it still amazes me the hesitancy HAF has for trying to retain pilots and previous bonus takers. They'd rather spend millions per UPT student and wreck the Air Force for 5-7 years while they "ramp up production" and train brand new inexperienced pilots than lobby to pay experienced pilots/IPs/EPs $55K-$65K extra a year of retention money (yet have no issues doing that for doctors or lawyers).

 

It's as if they don't view your service as pure enough if money affects your decision matrix.  They only seem to want the folks willing to sacrifice for peanuts.

Edited May 8, 2018 by Hunter Rose

[Right Seat Driver]

11 hours ago, Hunter Rose said:

Even with 17.5  years in, it still amazes me the hesitancy HAF has for trying to retain pilots and previous bonus takers. They'd rather spend millions per UPT student and wreck the Air Force for 5-7 years while they "ramp up production" and train brand new inexperienced pilots than lobby to pay experienced pilots/IPs/EPs $55K-$65K extra a year of retention money (yet have no issues doing that for doctors or lawyers).

That's because people still embrace the up or out mentality. And IMHO, the fly only track will not solve anything until that mentality changes.

Edited May 9, 2018 by Right Seat Driver

[JPIG_NAV]

Were any of you able to opt in early for the FY17 bonus? The way last year's and this draft is written seems like you can only opt-in if your ADSC expires in the same fiscal year.  However, that contradicts the DoDI, the U.S.C., and the AFI, which all read that to be eligible your ADSC must be expired or expiring within one-year. Any thoughts?

[McJay Pilot]

Don’t take the early option. Speaking from experience here.

[JPIG_NAV]

Due to the risk of it possibly going up the following year? I'm a 12R and am just skeptical that the AF may reconsider the present amount offered next year if there is a high take rate. 

[Tommy]

JPIG, if you know a lot of 12Rs that you trust you could all agree to not take the bonus early. Doing so may even cause the AF to raise the bonus for your career field. Knowledge is power. 

[Runr6730]

13 hours ago, Lifer said:

JPIG, if you know a lot of 12Rs that you trust you could all agree to not take the bonus early. Doing so may even cause the AF to raise the bonus for your career field. Knowledge is power. 

I admire your faith in big AF’s ability to take action when confronted with a retention problem

Edited May 12, 2018 by Runr6730

[Larry Sellers]

Bonus proration question.  I took the 3 year/25k AGR bonus in 2015.  At the time my orders ended in Jan 2018, 4 months shy of 3 years.  In 2017 my orders were extended 2 more years to 2020. My last payment was prorated to Jan 18, even though I served the 3 year commitment.  Currently have a myPers “incident report” in per my local finance to get the full payment and I’m sure they’ll get on a one sentence reply any month now.  Anyone else delt with something like this?

[matmacwc]

12 hours ago, Larry Sellers said:

Bonus proration question.  I took the 3 year/25k AGR bonus in 2015.  At the time my orders ended in Jan 2018, 4 months shy of 3 years.  In 2017 my orders were extended 2 more years to 2020. My last payment was prorated to Jan 18, even though I served the 3 year commitment.  Currently have a myPers “incident report” in per my local finance to get the full payment and I’m sure they’ll get on a one sentence reply any month now.  Anyone else delt with something like this?

Nope, but I’ve seen it be an issue.  At our unit, the AGR orders are changed when you sign the bonus to run concurrently so this is not an issue.

[Barrelroll9]

Supposedly the ANG FY18 AvB completed its routing for signatures about a month ago. Does anyone know of its status?

Edited May 20, 2018 by Barrelroll9