Downsizing Our Military

I got cut by the last rounds of force shapping in the Air Force (after surviving two previous rounds). No negative marks on my record at all, I just didn't have all the boxes check for Lt Col yet, even though I was two years away from my in the zone board.

They cut a lot of guys around me (10-14 years of service) since they won't have to pay us any retirement - just a separation check and a pink slip.

Luckily, I've been offered a DAF GS job (which I'm in the process of transitioning to right now) so hopefully I won't have to deal with it too much on that end as well. Like CW5 (Join to see) said above, they've mostly been cutting vacant or unencumbered positions on the civilian side vs. cutting actual people. I've seen a couple slots get cut recently with people in the billets though. Luckily, those guys were able to find other GS positions to move to instead of completely losing their jobs.

It hasn't affected me yet. I'm a DA civilian, and so far the cuts have been primarily to unencumbered slots, at least as far as I know.

I have seen some of the sharpest officers I've ever served with given their walking papers, 1SG(P) (Join to see). One Major in particular stands out. I guess he didn't have the command he needed or some school, but he was one of the best. And he was not at 20 years, so that's bad.

Another guy, a Colonel who was a former supervisor of mine, is sharp as a tack. He also was recently "released." He did have over 20 years, so he's got that.

Both of these officers will go on to do great things in the civilian world, but the Army is losing lots of talent with the drawdown.

It is causing me to find both civilian and military employment. Quite unsettling.