Blunting the Spear [ONLINE ONLY]

Analysis of Air Force rated officer retention data, interviews with squadron commanders, and surveys of pilots from the fighter, bomber, and remotely piloted aircraft communities highlight the need for more focused retention methods. The surveyed communities reported different contextual definitions of key retention variables. Failure to negotiate these disparities at key points throughout an officer’s career will lead to decreased retention of the best, regardless of monetary payout incentives. The author proposes methods the Air Force can use to address retention contextually from the Air Force level to individual major weapons system communities.