The Air Force plans to stop separating new active duty officers into two groups—reserve and regular. Depending on how an officer entered the service, he or she received a reserve or regular commission. An officer with a reserve commission had to be selected for appointment to the regular Air Force, usually at the time he or she made major. Since May 2005, all new officers have entered active duty in regular status. And, on May 1, 2006, USAF plans to automatically convert all current officers, unless they have some medical condition that prevents their service worldwide.
With a shrinking fleet and growing operational demand, Air Force Special Operations Command sees the new OA-1K combat scout aircraft as key to a “new era,” officials say.