Critical Staffing Shortage Prompts Air Force to Recruit Retirees

The service is seeking up to 1,000 retirees to return to active duty for a variety of special duty fields, including pilots and air traffic control.

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, February 08, 2024 at 02:03 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force has launched the Voluntary Retired Return to Active Duty Program (VRRAD) to address a critical staffing shortage, including a persistent shortfall of approximately 2,000 pilots.
The VRRAD program aims to recruit up to 1,000 retired officers and enlisted personnel back into service for a maximum of 48 months.
Retirees will fill various critical special duty positions, such as pilot, air traffic control, and combat systems, returning at their retirement grade without eligibility for promotions or aviation bonuses.

See a mistake? Contact us.

A critical staffing shortage has prompted the U.S. Air Force to launch a recruitment effort to lure officers and enlisted retirees back into service.

Through the Voluntary Retired Return to Active Duty Program (VRRAD), the Air Force is seeking up to 1,000 retirees to return to active duty for a variety of special duty positions, including pilot, air traffic control, airfield operations, and combat systems.