The Pentagon wants increased special and incentive pay for aviation officers to help offset shortfalls due to the allure of the commercial sector, according to a recent letter sent to lawmakers. In the Aug. 5 letter, acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Peter Levine said the authorized pilot bonus is "insufficient to maintain Air Force pilot inventory." The Defense Department is facing shortfalls in aviation communities, Levine wrote, noting that the "pilot deficit is becoming acute." "The...
