Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP - The Bonus)

[pcola]

Random bar talk with bro's and this question popped up: Is it possible to curtail the bonus (I imagine pay it back in full) and get rid of the ADSC and/or Palace Chase from the ADSC?

Not sure about the PC option. But I requested a SecAF waiver to curtail my bonus ADSC and pay back the unearned portion to retire at 20. It was denied. But this was also pre-Covid. YMMV


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[Guardian]

Not sure about the PC option. But I requested a SecAF waiver to curtail my bonus ADSC and pay back the unearned portion to retire at 20. It was denied. But this was also pre-Covid. YMMV


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Guessing it will still be denied based off that comment as the pilot crisis has not been solved by covid.

[pawnman]

Might get easier when the military budget starts getting cut.

[Guardian]

Truth

[KWings06j]

Any rumint in this year's bonus release? I'm not eligible but curious how big the knee jerk will be with the covid retention bump.

[FLEA]

3 hours ago, KWings06j said:

Any rumint in this year's bonus release? I'm not eligible but curious how big the knee jerk will be with the covid retention bump.

Same. Does anyone remember from the last time if you signed the bonus and then VSP was offered if you could take both?

[Guardian]

I’ve heard of an AD guy taking VSP then joining reserves, taking a signing bonus and a pilot bonus and was doing the exact same job but for substantially more.

[nsplayr]

15 hours ago, Guardian said:

I’ve heard of an AD guy taking VSP then joining reserves, taking a signing bonus and a pilot bonus and was doing the exact same job but for substantially more.

👑

[FLEA]

Rumor bill on the book of faces is that AvB will come 2 months late and will only be offered in 5+ year options. Totally kills any possibility of me staying. 

[Guardian]

Active or active guard and reserve?

[FLEA]

5 hours ago, Guardian said:

Active or active guard and reserve?

Just active as far as I know. Apparently the comments were made by the 18AF/CC in a town hall with folks from McGuire. It was discussed on the MAF FB page. 

[BADFNZ]

The AF would be stupid to offer anything less than 5 years knowing the airlines aren't going to be hiring for at least a couple years.  And I bet their 5-year bonus will have record take rates.

[SurelySerious]

14 minutes ago, BADFNZ said:

The AF would be stupid to offer anything less than 5 years knowing the airlines aren't going to be hiring for at least a couple years.  And I bet their 5-year bonus will have record take rates.

I’ve seen a pretty decent amount of AF people getting picked up by UPS/FedEx/Atlas. I think that while people are staying in for now, they seem to want to keep their options open, so I don’t see them taking 5 years at a significantly higher rate than before. 

[FLEA]

1 hour ago, BADFNZ said:

The AF would be stupid to offer anything less than 5 years knowing the airlines aren't going to be hiring for at least a couple years.  And I bet their 5-year bonus will have record take rates.

I don't plan to take it and still plan to get out next year. Granted I wrote the airlines off a while ago. But COVID actually drove me out of the organization with more furry than before. Watching the total ineptness of leadership able to deal with this crises, and then just putting it back onto troops to suck it up and make it work, has made me realize no one in this organization has any interest in your or your family's well-being. Get out while you can. 

[SocialD]

2 hours ago, BADFNZ said:

The AF would be stupid to offer anything less than 5 years knowing the airlines aren't going to be hiring for at least a couple years. 

 

That's not a known right now and I'd expect to see a few of them hiring next year, possibly later this year, though I'm skeptical on that.  Either way, here's hoping they keep the shorter bonuses for the ARC, as many can not commit 5+ year bonuses.  

[Longhorn15]

I was thinking about taking a 3 year bonus, which would take me past 20 by a little bit. If 5 years is the min, I’m definitely gone at 20.

The extra $35K/yr makes a big difference in the calculus. With it, I make more with the AF than with Atlas, without it, I’ll take my chances.


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[FLEA]

Quote

Happy Saturday all,

Reference the aviation bonus, a couple of thoughts.

- I don’t know of any talk of eliminating the bonus altogether across the board, but don’t be surprised if it changes in some way.

- Congress has a keen interest in the program and we’re required to justify/submit a business case analysis every year. They’re the ones who give us the money, so their opinion matters a lot.

- I’m not sure exactly when the program will be announced but I don’t think it will be too much longer - believe it is in final coordination now.

- I don’t know anyone at the GO level who thinks of COVID as a gift, is happy about the effect on the airlines or believes that the temporary spike in retention is anything more than that...temporary. I’m personally hoping and praying for a speedy end to all of this and I see no upside for the Air Force, not even retention, from what’s happening to our nation because of COVID.

A few personal thoughts for your consideration - biased by my age, rank and experience of course:

- Whether you decide to stay or go, I know that I speak for all the GOs when I say we appreciate your service and we respect your choice. My fondest hope is that you make the decision that’s best for you and your family. I want you to have a good life, and if that means you stay, that’s great. I’ve never tried to convince anyone to stay in the Air Force and I won’t start now. This isn’t easy and it gets harder the longer you stay, though I think the rewards are greater the longer you stay as well. Make no mistake, the coming years will be increasingly challenging. I can’t think of a worse scenario than staying because of the money.

- You probably know all you need to know to make a good decision that’s best for you and your family. You’ve been with us awhile. You’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly, along with a wide array of efforts and initiatives. Over to you to weigh the effort and decide the merits of the organization and the value proposition.

- This isn’t the NFL, and we don’t have ‘free agents’ - we have commissioned officers whose commitment is expiring and who have a choice to make regarding future service. The oath of office is the contract you really need to carefully consider whether to renew- it’s a more expensive contract than anything the NFL can offer.

- If you’re waiting on the bonus to decide whether you should continue to risk your life and ask your family to sacrifice for your country, you might want to re-think it. If the decision hinges on the money for you at this point, let me assure you that no amount of money is worth your life or the long term health of your family. If you’re worried about the sudden changes in the outside world, I can assure you the airlines will be back sooner than we think and you’ll do great if you go that route or pursue something else.

- The Air Force isn’t perfect, but I think there’s never been a better time to serve. I’m proud of the efforts we’re making to get better every day. It’s a great way of life and your service matters to our nation. If you disagree, the bonus won’t be the thing that changes your mind.

- If you like being part of a team that’s full of amazing people you can trust and who trust you, if you like being part of something bigger than yourself, if you believe the nation has real problems and real enemies and our future depends on having people who will put the nation first, and if your family enjoys serving too, you should consider staying.

Best of luck to all of you!

Cheers,

Pulse

 

Maj Gen Craig Wells on MAF FB.

Edited January 30, 2021 by FLEA

[SocialD]

29 minutes ago, FLEA said:

Maj Gen Craig Wells on MAF FB.

 

Sooooo....the rumors are true then?  

[slackline]

30 minutes ago, FLEA said:

 

Maj Gen Craig Wells on MAF FB.

Don't know the guy, so no clue if he's genuine or not, but those are some great words at least.  Regardless of his sincerity, people thinking about staying need to pay heed to the message. 

[Phase4]

Can someone explain this like I’m 5?

[SocialD]

6 minutes ago, Phase4 said:

Can someone explain this like I’m 5?

 

"You're probably not going to like the new bonus, so do it for god and country...because gosh darn it, we care for you..."

[Homestar]

13 minutes ago, SocialD said:

 

"You're probably not going to like the new bonus, so do it for god and country...because gosh darn it, we care for you..."

Well actually.....

What he said was more along the lines of “the AF probably isn’t going to satisfy you if you’re looking to maximize income. Make the best decision for you and your family. Whatever you decide, thank you for your service.”

[FLEA]

In any case, I think its a pretty fair warning that the bonus is going to be significantly lower than expected, or the options will be very limited. I was already 95% set on getting out, so really this doesn't effect me much. 

[SocialD]

2 hours ago, Homestar said:

Well actually.....

What he said was more along the lines of “the AF probably isn’t going to satisfy you if you’re looking to maximize income. Make the best decision for you and your family. Whatever you decide, thank you for your service.”

 

Meh, 10 years ago SocialD might have agreed with you.  After your initial commitment, it can all be boiled down to compensation, either the money they're paying is worth putting up with the BS, or it's not.  He would have been better off just saying, the bonus is coming out soon, whether you decide to stay or leave, thank you for your service...the end.  No need for the Dad talk.  

[slackline]

36 minutes ago, SocialD said:

 

Meh, 10 years ago SocialD might have agreed with you.  After your initial commitment, it can all be boiled down to compensation, either the money they're paying is worth putting up with the BS, or it's not.  He would have been better off just saying, the bonus is coming out soon, whether you decide to stay or leave, thank you for your service...the end.  No need for the Dad talk.  

I disagree, with the caveat that it only matters if he's being genuine.  We need leaders that talk more from a place of genuine care for the Airmen. Someone who explains a thought process will get more respect and buy-in than a GO who has a chance to talk to people and takes the tack you just laid out.