The Air Force is seeing its highest retention rates in 16 years thanks to the weak job market. As a result, active duty end strength remains bloated above Congressionally authorized levels. At the end of Fiscal 2010, the tally was 334,196, but officials are working to get that number back down to the authorized 332,800 by the end of Fiscal 2012. “In an effort to minimize the impact to our current force, we will reduce active duty accessions as much as is prudent,” Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz told airmen at Whiteman AFB, Mo., this week, in addressing the service’s strategy. He added, “In addition to the previously announced voluntary programs, we will also implement involuntary programs to include enlisted date of separation rollbacks, officer retention boards, and reduced officer promotion opportunities.” (Whiteman report by Heidi Hunt) (See also Early Retirement Possible for Some Officers and USAF’s 2011 posture statement; caution, large file)
In written testimony to the Senate, the nominee to oversee the Air Force’s installations and energy enterprise endorsed the continued privatization of military housing and called for the department to think more during the acquisition process about how it will power new weapons systems when the logistics supply chain is…
