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Army aviators will be required to serve longer under a new policy aimed at relieving retention woes and a pilot shortage.
Helicopter and fixed-wing pilots will now be required to serve a decade, officials said. Stars and Stripes noted the change makes the commitment on par with that expected of Air Force fighter pilots and four more years than the current policy.
The new obligation begins following flight school and does not apply to personnel currently in training, officials said. Initial flight training typically lasts 32 weeks.
The new policy will apply to all new pilots, regardless of component.
The change was first announced in June by Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, with guidance being issued last month.
Last year, the Army’s pilot attrition rate grew to a record 10% of its force, according to the newspaper. Reasons for the losses include aging aviators and competition from commercial airlines.
The new policy aims to stem that loss. The Army has also offered incentives to attract new pilots, including the first pay raise in two decades to help the Army stay competitive with the civilian market.
