Fighter Pilot Retention

Fighter pilot retention in the United States Air Force is at an all time low, and as such, threatens to undermine our national security. The current retention problem has many wondering if there has been a change in attitude and focus within the fighter pilot community. A shift in values away from love of country and service before self, to one of military duty as just another job, and a "what is in it for me" attitude. There are numerous reasons for this apparent shift including an unprecedented airline hiring boom, and an extremely robust economy with record low unemployment figures. This is combined with a perceived decrease in military benefits and a pay scale lagging the commercial sector by an average of 13 percent.