Sponsors (8)
The bill gives a narrow group of fighter aircrew a paid, one-time career intermission and faster return-to-duty to help retain experience and maintain readiness, but it does so while adding longer service obligations, reducing retirement credit, and leaving participation subject to command approval and some out-of-pocket housing costs.
Active-component fighter aircrew (11F/12F) are allowed a one-time 4–12 month career intermission while retaining rank-eligibility and a pathway to return, and the program is designed to retain experienced aircrew and accelerate their reintegration into rated or staff roles (qualified within ~30 days), helping preserve unit readiness and institutional expertise.
Participants continue to receive pay and allowances for themselves and their families during the intermission under 10 U.S.C. §710 rules, reducing short-term financial disruption for service members who take leave.
Participants incur a new active-duty service commitment equal to twice the length of the intermission, extending their future service obligations and affecting career planning.
Time spent in the program does not count toward retirement or retired pay calculations, reducing retirement credit and long-term retirement income for participants.
Commanders can deny participation for mission or deployment needs, so eligibility does not guarantee a career intermission and may leave service members with disrupted personal plans.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a pilot allowing eligible Air Force fighter aircrew a one-time 4–12 month career intermission in the IRR to evaluate retention effects.
Introduced April 22, 2026 by Theodore Paul Budd · Last progress April 22, 2026
Creates a one-year pilot program for regular Air Force fighter aircrew to take a one-time, time-limited career intermission of 4 to 12 months during which the participant is placed in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). The pilot aims to test whether targeted intermissions reduce early separations and help retain experienced fighter aircrew for staff and leadership roles. Participation is limited to active-component officers in fighter aircrew specialties who have completed their initial pilot or navigator training service commitment, requires wing‑commander approval, includes requirements for inactive-duty training during the break, and directs the Secretary of the Air Force to preserve clearances and access to the maximum extent practicable.