Interesing article,
Acutally, the article, which I skimmed briefly, examines a potentially serious problem. The the AF is running short of meeting new pilot requirements, but due to a low retention rate of "experienced" pilots and a rapid and voluminous influx of new "inexperienced" pilots, the level of experience begins to degrade rapidly. Although retention of late is somewhat of a non-issue (stop loss post 9/11) eventually certain breakpoints or threshholds are crossed and all hell breaks loose in terms of combat readiness, or lack thereof. Similar models are used in the private sector for business management.
Something to keep an eye on for the upwardly mobile Naval officer, because this is the type of issue the planners and policy makers have to deal with. That is, any organization is a mix of manpower and experience. Real important when one looks to the future of the US military structure and world event....
But, for that little grain-o-salt, Rand, which produced the study, gets paid to find problems and issues. Just a thought.
Boy....did i get long winded. Apologies.
Cheers,
Bryce
In the end it all comes down to a simple choice, get busy livin' or get busy dyin' - The Shawshank Redemption