Thanks for the clarity scout, I did interpret it wrong.
I agree it made sense for the AF to get rid of it, but not only from retention rate, but because there is also a reg for amount of yrs before you can pin on a rank, thus fast trackers land up spinning their wheels for yrs. Use Gen. John Hesterman as an example:
Second Lieutenant June 1, 1983
First Lieutenant June 1, 1985
Captain June 1, 1987
Major March 1, 1994
Lieutenant Colonel Jan. 1, 1997
Colonel April 1, 2000
Brigadier General June 4, 2007
Major General Feb. 12, 2010
He was a double BPZ for O4, Double for O5, Double for O6...notice he pinned on O6 at his 16 yr marker, he was actually selected at his 15 yr marker, but it took him about 18 months to pin on. He then went to a screeching halt regarding his rank. It had nothing to do with the Peter Principle, but everything to do with you can't be an O7 without at least 20 yrs in AD, and you have to have X amount of time in rank. Plus, again since he was so young, his line number would be the highest, and he had to wait it out. Now he is back on track again. I am not 100% sure, but I thought I heard he just got his 3rd star or he is up for it...can't remember.
Everybody in the AF would be shocked if he doesn't retire as an O4.
What's even more interesting is that his wife was a fast tracker too.
Second Lieutenant May 17, 1986
First Lieutenant August 17, 1988
Captain August 17, 1990
Major August 1, 1996 (1 BPZ)
Lieutenant Colonel July 1, 1999 (2 BPZ)
Colonel July 1, 2004 (IZ, but still below zone for her yr group counterparts)
She retired as an O6 just recently. Imagine how sweet their retirement paychecks are? 1 at O6 and 22+ yrs. and another will be at least an O9 with 30. Just in retirement pay alone it is probably going to be in the 6 digits at the ripe old age of 52+/- .