THE AIR FORCE RETENTION BONUS IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR MORE SKILLED JOBS
The Air Force is now trying to retain qualified troops when their skills are in demand elsewhere by increasing the number of career sectors eligible for significant retention and reenlistment bonuses this year. The Air Force retention bonus aims to help the agency remain effective by ensuring that skilled service members continue to serve the country.
Last year, the U.S. Air Force listed 89 professional fields, up from 73 in the previous one, according to a letter issued by the Department of the Air Force. A representative for the Air Force, Ann Stefanek, said the extended list became effective on December 16th. These Air Force jobs vary from maintaining military drones to working on nuclear weapons and signal intelligence.
The Expansion of Air Force Retention Bonus
Stefanek said in an interview that after determining which skilled jobs were in greater demand outside of the military, the eligible fields were expanded. Stefanek added that the Department of the Air Force did it to make sure they could retain their talent because they are in high demand in the private sector.
Data entry, tech assistance, cybersecurity, and over a dozen other professions are related to cyber networks and operations. While some are geared for special operations duties like combat control and pararescue, others are concentrated on aircraft maintenance. Language-based occupations are also given preference. For additional compensation, there are a number of industries catering to Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Persian speakers.
The memo states that airmen have until February 15, 2025, to sign a new contract in a qualified field in order to get the retention incentive. However, several fields that were previously eligible for retention bonuses are not on the new list, in contrast to the previously expanded list.
Some of the Eligible Jobs for the 2025 Special Retention Bonus
Some of the new Air Force retention bonuses are targeted at the agency’s special operations positions, who have had a harder time recruiting and raising awareness of their mission than the Army's Green Berets, Navy SEALs, or Marine Raiders.
Here are some of the following positions qualified for the bonus:
- Mobility Force Aviator (Boom Operator)
- Special Mission Aviator
- Multi-Domain Operations Aviator (Mission Coordinator/Payload Operator)
- 1A1X8A - Executive Mission Assistant (Flight Attendant)
- Airborne Cryptologic Language Analyst
- Air Traffic Control
- All Domain Command and Control Operations
- Battle Management Operations (Weapons Director)
- Airfield Management
- Security Forces (Military Working Dog Handler)
- Mental Health Service
You can check the full list here.
New Air Force Bonuses Available
The Air Force's budget request last year called for $1.1 billion to be allocated to retention and troop bonuses. Airmen must match the qualified job's Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) in order to be eligible for the retention bonus. A specific AFSC must have attained the skill level indicated in order to be eligible for the bonus.
The Department of the Air Force upped the bonus threshold earlier last year in an effort to keep its present competent personnel. This allows eligible airmen to earn up to $180,000 more per their specific career zone. According to the Air Force directive, a career maximum is set at $360,000.
Like other military departments, the Air Force has had difficulty hiring new personnel in recent years. In 2023, it fell short of its goal to recruit sufficient members to serve in the agency. Different bonuses for joining and remaining in the military have been increased and expanded by a number of military branches.
The Struggle of the Air Force When it Comes to Recruitment
As the Air Force has had difficulty recruiting for such difficult professions, a think tank study found that the great majority of Americans knew very little or nothing about the Air Force's special warfare jobs. Evidence from certain publications indicates that many people are not familiar with such Air Force jobs, although other service branches, like the Navy SEALs, enjoy broad public and cultural awareness of their special operators.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Eric Benken said that the role itself is partly to blame for that lack of public recognition. Special operators in the Air Force frequently call themselves the "quiet professionals," and Benken said he's not shocked that those positions haven't received as much attention.
Although some trainees may find calm professionalism appealing once they enter the workforce, it makes hiring for the positions challenging. However, even individuals who learn about the career opening struggle to meet the requirements for the job.
According to a report, the 330th Recruiting Squadron of the Air Force should increase its efforts to hire new special operators from within the Air Force. The agency should open more offices in locations with higher concentrations of veterans to discover new recruits. With the expansion of the Air Force retention bonus, the agency could only hope that it would help with the recruitment problem that they are facing.
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