Rated officers eligible for additional pay Published April 3, 2012 By 1st Lt. Ken Lustig 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Air Force Personnel Center announced it is implementing the FY2012 Active Component Aviator Continuation Pay Program, or ACP, offering up to $125,000 in extra pay to retain eligible rated officers. ACP offers five pay options for eligible pilots and combat systems officers in exchange for their agreement to accept an active duty service commitment of three, four or five years. MSgt Rachel C. Crittle, 99th Force Support Squadron career development superintendent, said ACP plays an important role in meeting the needs of the Air Force. "The ACP program is designed to maximize retention of eligible rated officers and to stabilize the force today and in the future in response to supporting Air Force and joint warfighter missions," she said. "It is a strategic retention tool enabling the Air Force to maximize return on investment and retain valuable experience to meet future Air Force needs." According to the personnel center announcement, ACP is targeted towards pilots, especially remotely piloted aircraft and fighter pilots, who are reaching the end of their initial undergraduate flying training commitment. The program also seeks to retain combat systems officers who have less than 13 years of active federal military service, and uncommitted pilots with 11 or more years of pilot experience but less than 13 years of active service. The program includes several types of service commitment agreements, with incentives increasing with the commitment length and type of eligibility. Fighter and RPA pilots entering into a 5-year agreement, for instance, can receive $25,000 per year with half paid up front. Rated officers must be in the grade of lieutenant colonel or below with less than 22 years aviation service, and cannot be awaiting operational flying disqualification, medical disqualification or involuntary separation, or already be enrolled in a previous year ACP program. Air battle managers are not eligible. Officers who are inter-service transfers or voluntary recall to active duty participants are eligible only if they will complete accession before the ACP deadline. Crittle said that rated officers can check their eligibility for the ACP program and learn additional details about the program by contacting the career development office at the military personnel flight. ACP agreements must become effective before midnight, September 30, 2012.
