^ Agreed above, they cut 400 billion from what I have heard, the current and oh so great administration would like to gut the military if they could, but from the looks of it Panetta and Admiral Mullen are standing their ground and saying no more. I believe everything will be alright due to many other circumstances. The military is always going to need boots on the ground and air. They project years in advanced of what they need as you know. You may also know some people are calling this upcoming pilot shortage for the next 5 years BS, but it is not. There was an article that US airways published along with the Pilot Unions saying there will be a pilot retiring every 16 hours when 2012 comes around. When there is time to jump ship in the military to go fly for a major airline or corporation (once the economy bounces back for corporate aviation), guys usually do it. High ranking officers especially because flying time in the military usually gets cut back the older they get to more desk jobs and commands of squadrons etc. Not saying that is bad I would love to command a squadron and fly sometimes too, but if they want to make more money flying. So if they can jump ship and retire they usually do and with all the talk of the current situation of retirement overhaul, I bet a lot of officers are going to jump with the talk of pilot jobs for the next five years and looking at saving their retirement. I believe this is a good case of sit back and just watch and wait and pray you will get selected that is all you can do. Be positive and never give up where there is a will, there is a way. I am working everyday little by little waiting to get my dream job training and praying for the board selection I am going for in April.