Accession Number:

ADA621971

Title:

Blunting the Spear: Why Good People Get Out

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

AIR UNIV MAXWELL AFB AL SCHOOL OF ADVANCED AIR AND SPACE STUDIES

Personal Author(s):

• Stahl, Brian T.

Report Date:

2015-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

178.0

Abstract:

This study analyzes the United States Air Forces retention of the best rated officers from the combat air forces. Specifically, it addresses the retention of pilots from the fighter, bomber, and remotely piloted aircraft communities and highlights the need for more focused retention methods. This research shows that each rated community within the Air Force has different contextual definitions of those variables deemed most influential for retention. Further, the author argues that a failure to negotiate these identified disparities at key points throughout an officers career will lead to decreased retention of the best, regardless of monetary payout made available at the completion of an active duty service commitment. As such, the author proposes several methods the Air Force can use to address retention contextually starting at the Air Force level and progressing to individual major weapons system communities.

Descriptors:

• *AIR FORCE PERSONNEL
• *PERSONNEL RETENTION
• AIR FORCE BUDGETS
• MILITARY REQUIREMENTS
• OFFICER PERSONNEL
• PILOTS
• STATISTICAL DATA
• THESES

Subject Categories:

• Personnel Management and Labor Relations
• Military Forces and Organizations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE