Program helps service retain RPA, rated pilots Published Jan. 26, 2011 By Tech. Sgt. Steve Grever Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force officials announced their plans Jan. 26 for the fiscal 2011 Aviator Continuation Pay program to help retain active-duty pilots and combat-systems officers who are trained as remotely piloted aircraft pilots. The ACP program allows some active-duty, rated aviators to qualify for a monetary bonus in exchange for a service-commitment-contract agreement. Officials aim to retain those pilots who are approaching 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, who are trained as RPA pilots and have fewer than 13 years of service. "This year's ACP Program is designed to retain eligible rated officers and stabilize the force today and in the future in response to supporting Air Force and joint-warfighter missions," said Col. David Slade, the Air Force Personnel Center's assignments director. "It also serves as a continued commitment to the development of critical skills in support of emerging technologies." Although ACP is still necessary because there is a critical shortage in some rated career fields, this year's ACP program applies to a smaller pool of eligible candidates than in the past. "Although we are undermanned in some rated career fields, the success of past ACP programs as well as record high retention has resulted in a smaller ACP program than usual," said Maj. Eric Weber, of the force management office for Air Force Manpower and Personnel Career fields that have stabilized include air-battle managers and combat-systems operators. Therefore, air battle managers and non-RPA categorized CSOs are not eligible for ACP in fiscal 2011, based on the health of their career fields. The fiscal 2011 ACP program offers two agreement options for rated officers. They include a five-year contract for initial-eligible pilots and three-, four- and five-year contracts for uncommitted pilots and CSOs operating as 12U RPA pilots. Annual ACP values are $25,000 for initial-eligible pilots and $15,000 for uncommitted-eligible pilots and 12U RPA pilots. Air Reserve component officers are not eligible under this program, but are eligible under separate Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard programs. This year's ACP program is in effect until Sept. 30. For more information on ACP, visit the Air Force personnel services website at http://gum.afpc.randolph.af.mil, or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.