The lack of selections isn't due to the pipeline issues, it is due to the goal changes last year with the over-selections that happened at the same time, then compounded by NRC not making immediate adjustments like they have in the past.
Not to say you’re wrong but I know numerous pilots in the fleet. Some who just graduated. They all have said it is a pipeline issue.
1) COVID happened, students piled up while everything was temporarily paused.
2) T-45 being grounded every other week. As of 1.5 months ago the T-45 (Jet Strike Trainer) has been grounded and there is no foreseeable timeline when the issue will be solved. So every Jet Strike student has no airplane right now because of the T-45 grounded.
3) Students are not getting through the syllabus fast enough. Not enough instructor pilots right now to help out with that. In result students are going through the pipeline slower.
Just relaying what I have been told by US Navy pilots themselves, and also people currently in the pipeline. So I do think based on what I’ve been told by SNAs currently in NIFE, NAs in the fleet, that we can’t say it is not a pipeline issues.
ExNavyOffRec, Much Love! Just telling you what I’ve been told!