It used to be every teen’s dream job — speed, adventure, glamor all rolled into one — but the Air Force is struggling to keep fighter pilots in jets at bases across the world.
The Pentagon fears there will be a shortfall of up to 700 Top Guns by 2021 if the decline in interest doesn’t turn around, and is offering a $225,000 signing bonus future Mavericks eager to suit up.
The Los Angeles Times reports that more lucrative offers from commercial airlines are drawing recruits away from the military, which is also dealing with fatigue from repeat deployments. Former fighter pilots are prized recruits for commercial airlines and today just 65 percent of Air Force pilots decide to extend their service past their 11th year — down from 80 percent in 1993.
More than 150 fighter pilots have also been permanently reassigned to flying drones with the proliferation of unmanned aircraft in military operations in recent years.
The $225,000 signing bonus locks potential pilots in for a nine-year contract, which is twice as long as the usual contact, the Times says. The goal is to protect against an anticipated hiring frenzy from commercial carriers who will see a huge percentage of their pilots retiring in the next few years.
“The airlines are going to have more money to pay for pilots than the government,” US Airline Pilots Association secretary and treasurer Rob Streble told the Times.
“The military is difficult on the family with all the moving around,” he said. “I added more stability by joining the airline.”