Golden Handshake?

My DS just heard that 300 2012 grads recently received the "golden handshake" and were let go because "we don't have enough jobs for you". Anyone else heard this? Any insights?

I don't have any knowledge of that happening. Last year there was a similar rumor regarding the Class of 2011.

While there was not a mass cut for 2011, there were instances of 2Lts who may have been given a second chance in other years who were let go. Four of son's group of friends have busted UPT. Three were released and only one was retained by the AF and reassigned to Space/Missles.

Stealth_81

Stealth does that include IFS too, or is it just UPT.

It seems to me 300, or 1/4 of the AFA class is a really high number.

I get UPT because there will be many different sources, such as AFA, AFROTC and OCS. If I am right wouldn't that 300 number if they were all AFA UPT/UNT be close to 50% of the AFA grads with UPT slots?

Assume 55% of commissioning classes go UPT/UNT, 300 if they all came out of this realm, would be why I say it is 50%.

I can't think of another big pool like UPT/UNT where training is as cut throat. AFROTC cadets are right now for the most part casual status or just reporting because AFA always goes 1st.

Not going to lie if this is true, 25% of AFA 2012 grads getting walking papers within 3-4 months of reporting for duty is scary. If I recall correctly, your DS was like our DS at this point...casual status.

Maybe it is my wishful thinking, but theoretically, at this point I can't see it being rated grads for 2012 racking up the 300 number due to the pipeline.

I recall 2010 in the AFROTC world they were given the golden handshake prior to commissioning, and some AFA grads that busted lived on the edge, with it being a 50-50 chance of getting a 2nd career field. There were 2 posters here in that yr group that had different results. 1 went Intel, 1 was given the handshake.

300 seems an insane amount. Not saying I don't believe it because AFROTC for 2012 had an all time low, 55% selection rate for SFT (their make or break---2010), they also cancelled OCS rated for July 2011, which would be the FY 12 grads. However, those that made it AFROTC had a 90% selection rate for rated board which was an all time high.

These numbers made me believe that the AF was coming out of the storm, but now I have second thoughts.

Class of 2012 graduated 1073 last May.

Pima said:

Stealth does that include IFS too, or is it just UPT.

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They were UPT. I don't think he had any close friends who busted IFS, although that did happen to some. His friends who busted UPT did it all through the past year. One at the beginning of T-6, and others later. The last one was right after the friend started in T-1, after struggling in T-6.

I wouldn't use any of this to try and do any statistical analysis. The subset (Stealth_81's son's friends) is in no way representative of the rest of the Air Force or even 2011 Academy grads. I was simply trying to show that there was no single big 'cut' in jobs for 2011 grads, just less second chances given.

Stealth_81

This same rumor was running around USNA circles a month or so ago. In fact, it was not true. What is true is that the USN/USMC has much less patience for those who fail a follow-on school. In the past, if you didn't pass your tests at flight school, you'd be allowed to do something else, like SWO. Now, they are likely to separate you for even a single failure.

So, yes, you are out of your service obligation. You are also out of a job.

The Supe said that mids are being warned/counseled that they need to focus on TBS, flight school, etc. as failure may well lead to involuntary separation.

usna1985 said:

In the past, if you didn't pass your tests at flight school, you'd be allowed to do something else, like SWO. Now, they are likely to separate you for even a single failure.

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Basically the same for failing UPT. I would be very surprised if the number was as high as 300 from CY12, but even if it was it would be from across all commissioning sources.

I can say for a fact that there were not 300 Academy grads out of 2012 simply cut loose. For comparison, the CY09 Force Shaping Board has been postponed indefinitely... reductions may be coming, but certainly not at that level and not yet.

I am sure they would take any of them in the NZ or AUS forces. Not a bad option

as a 2012 grad, i have not heard this from anyone or know of anyone who has heard this. most likely just a rumor.

usna1985 said:

This same rumor was running around USNA circles a month or so ago. In fact, it was not true. What is true is that the USN/USMC has much less patience for those who fail a follow-on school. In the past, if you didn't pass your tests at flight school, you'd be allowed to do something else, like SWO. Now, they are likely to separate you for even a single failure.

So, yes, you are out of your service obligation. You are also out of a job.

The Supe said that mids are being warned/counseled that they need to focus on TBS, flight school, etc. as failure may well lead to involuntary separation.

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So do they get a bill from the government or a free education for no service?

It depends. I know of a grad who voluntarily quit UPT after getting airsick, and he was not retained and got a $100,000+ bill. In the recent years it seems like those who give it a good run but wash out are either retained or released without obligation.

raimius said:

It depends. I know of a grad who voluntarily quit UPT after getting airsick, and he was not retained and got a $100,000+ bill. In the recent years it seems like those who give it a good run but wash out are either retained or released without obligation.

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Talk about a government boondoggle. Even a $100,000 bill is a joke.