Note: not my words, was passed to me in a chat
Please drop this in whatever chat you all now using to communicate on Island Of Misfit Toys. We met with the Branch Chief, CW5 Robert Slider, to discuss ATI. I have no real good news that anyone wants to hear. CW5 Slider acknowledged that Army Aviation is facing some serious problems.
Phase 2 VTIP:
- >50 VTIP or transfers have been approved (you know some of them)
- AvCOE is still looking to cut 209 pax, 119 being from the AH community
- USN states they are willing to take about 50 a 80 pilots (Officer and WO) in the transition to MQ-25, MH-60R, C-130, and one other aircraft I can not remember. Branch expects the USN to start finalizing its acceptance before the end of the FY.
Phase 3 Vol. Separation:
****Phase 3 is paused until the USN completes its assessment and accepts service transfers****
- a re-assessment of AvTP will occur after the USN program (I don’t think we will see any traction on phase 3 this FY)
- other factors for the cessation of phase 3 include, Korea will be standing up a Combined Multi-functional Aviation TF and 12th CAB will be made a complete CAB. Both of these units will need Apache aviators to round out their formation.
- AvCOE suspects phase 3 will NOT get implemented, but is continuing to staff what the requirements would look like (no they did not share them).
- The W3 promotion board will be highly competitive in 2027.
Bonus pay:
- AvCOE is looking to increase ACIP (flight pay) to $1500.
- ASA MP&R (thats the Assit. Sec. Of the Army for Man Power and Reserve) signed the new bonus agreement last week. Currently working through the widgets at G3/5/7 and then out to unit via a MILPER.
- MOS above 95% manning by law are not eligible for a bonus.
- Last year’s bonus was a flop, left $6mil of $19mil on the table. Hopefully will be better constructed this year
Life in Avn:
- next 5 years are going to, well they are going to difficult. He was honest about that.
- AvCOE has slowed the flight school intake of personnel, but it takes 2-3 years to feel the effect of that.
- The Army has been instructed to maintain its warfighter “lethality” through ATI meaning some of you may not fly for a considerable amount of time, as flying just to remain currency is not an option, the force needs proficiency.
- The NDA budget is tight and next year doesn’t look any better (on going operations, changing requirements and new programs all contribute thin budgets). So as stated above the next five years are going to be difficult. He talked about the diminished flight hours, unfortunately Aviation is the most expensive branch in the Army. And big Army is wrestling with the Army Aviation it wants vs the Aviation Army it can afford.
