McPeak's Follies: A Comprehensive Look at Rated Management in the 90's and Beyond
Abstract
The United States Air Force is losing pilots at an alarming rate. Current projections predict a shortage of 2,300 military pilots by the year 2000. The Aviation Continuation Pay acceptance rate, which reflects how many pilots who have completed an initial eight year active duty service commitment (ADSC) are willing to accept a new five-year commitment by signing up for the pilot bonus, has fallen from a high of 81 percent in 1994 to 28 percent in 1998. As a result, the ability of the Air Force to maintain combat readiness has become a problem of national significance. This report will thoroughly analyze rated management from 1988 to present. It will rely heavily on three main bodies of work related to the subject: November 1988 Department of Defense Aviator Retention Study, 1995 RAND study on Total Force Pilot Requirements and Management, and the 1995 study conducted by David L. Stum, Ph.D., on employee loyalty in America. It will research all aspects of the retention dilemma using resources available at Air University Library and on the Internet. The paper's objective is to prove the Air Force mismanaged its pilot force in the early nineties while placing too much emphasis on monetary compensation. It will argue that the Air Force is finally recognizing key factors in the rated management process and beginning to take necessary actions to produce a solution. It will conclude that any viable solution must address the role Air Force culture plays in retaining a highly motivated, dedicated workforce into the 21st century.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA396495
Entities
People
- William J. Dalonzo
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College