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The fiscal 2010 Aviator Continuation Pay Program will continue to emphasize the Air Force's retention efforts in critical, rated career fields while recognizing the growing significance of remotely piloted aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany Trojca)
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Officials expand 2010 ACP to growing mission needs

Posted 11/13/2009 Email story   Print story



by Dan Elkins
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs


11/13/2009 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS)  -- Details on the fiscal 2010 Aviator Continuation Pay Program released by officials Nov. 13 continue to emphasize the Air Force's retention efforts in critical, rated career fields while recognizing the growing significance of remotely piloted aircraft.

The ACP Program allows some active-duty rated aviators to qualify for a financial bonus in exchange for a service commitment contract agreement. It aims to retain those pilots and air battle managers who are reaching the end of their initial undergraduate flying training commitment as well as uncommitted pilots and eligible combat systems officers in the 12U Air Force specialty, trained as RPA pilots, who have less than 13 years of service.

"Retaining quality Airmen with critical skills remains a top priority," said Lt. Col. David DuHadway, the chief of the rated force policy branch for the Air Force. "Aviator continuation pay is a valuable tool for influencing the retention of these Airmen."

The fiscal 2010 ACP Program offers two agreement options for eligible Airmen. They include five years for initial-eligible pilots and ABMs; and three-, four- and five-year agreements for uncommitted pilots and CSOs with a 12U Air Force specialty. Annual ACP values are $25,000 for initial-eligible pilots, $15,000 for initial-eligible ABMs, and $15,000 for uncommitted-eligible pilots and CSOs trained as RPA pilots.

Colonel DuHadway said this year's program "builds on previous years of success by retaining experienced, rated officers in critical year groups who are indispensable to maintaining the service's combat capability and meeting joint force requirements today and in the future."

Different from last year, retirement-eligible officers may not enter into a fiscal 2010 ACP agreement.

Applications must be submitted by midnight CDT Sept. 30, 2010.

For more details on ACP agreement rules and lengths of commitment or to apply, visit the Air Force Personnel Center's Ask site and select the ACP link under "Military" in the "Quick Links" section. Eligible rated officers also may call the Total Force Service Center at (800) 525-0102 for more information.



tabComments
11/16/2009 5:58:38 PM ET
ACP might be a good place to save millions if the defense budget has to be cut to save the dollar from the deficit woes ahead. These bonuses aren't really needed since the last time anyone checked, the airlines really have all the talent needed to fly their fleets and those they do hire have to get in the right hand seat for a fraction of an Air Force pilots pay and allowance not including ACP. We needed big bonus money a long, long time ago to keep out pilots but the reality is today where's a good stick going to take his or her aviator skills and earn the kind of money the USAF pays. Just about nowhere I'd say.
Jack, San Antonio
 
11/15/2009 12:29:40 AM ET
Just like the other news sites: anonymous complaints and cheap shots little of value. If you want the assignment, compete for it. If you make it, good for you. In the meantime, compare your life to the average Army private living outside the wire for a couple of hundred in hostile fire pay.
retcol, retired
 
11/14/2009 4:06:07 PM ET
12U, at least there is a bonus. I don't see any study showing that retention has been a problem in the last couple of years. This just states that it worked in the past so we should just keep doing it. 12U skills are not that critical and you don't even have to have a flight rating anymore to get a slot. Have you not seen the enlisted retraining program They are forced into career fields they didn't choose without any bonuses. I bet you have not stood up to anyone on this topic. How about those that are on 1 to 1 dwell ratios deploying into high threat areas every year for six months. Don't you think they deserve additional compensation before someone sitting in a trailer at Creech? Most of those in the high-dwell career fields, although stressed, do not complain that they do not get a bonus so I will take this time to advocate for them. I say if you are a commissioned officer and it only takes 15K to retain you equivalent of 2 to 3 months pay then you should go...
spw, GE
 
11/14/2009 9:09:19 AM ET
If the pilots are having trouble making ends meet, maybe they can look into applying for Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance. Food stamps are also an option.
Arnie, Maryland
 
11/13/2009 10:40:30 PM ET
I see that there is such a growing need in the RPV community that they are paying less than the manned community for ACP. Yet pilots of manned assets get forced into the RPV. On the bright side, navs--CSOs--finally have a bonus again. Wait, only if they are an RPV pilot. If there is such a demand to get new RPV pilots and keep the ones who are there. Why not increase the bonus offered to the RPV career fields? Just think about it. You have a pilot who either chooses or gets forced into the RPV before his or her commitment is up and at the same time a nav volunteers for RPV pilot duty--12U. When they both become eligible for the bonus, the pilot will get a $25k per yr bonus while the nav will only get a $15k per yr bonus for doing THE EXACT SAME JOB WITH THE EXACT SAME RESPONSIBILITIES.
12U, Creech
 
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