Officials expand 2010 ACP to growing mission needs

  • Published
  • By Dan Elkins
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
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.