The United States Air Force is struggling to recruit new workers, so they are launching a new strategy to offset shortages: retired officers have the opportunity to re-enlist. It’s called the Voluntary Retired Return to Active Duty Program. Retired veterans have until Jan. 31, 2026 to apply. In addition to recruiting retired officers, they are also hosting a hiring event for anyone interested on April 30 at the Museum of Aviation.
According to a press release published by the Robins Air Force Base on Feb 7, 2024, the retired officers can recommission for two years in certain positions. The VRRAD program will work to fill “critical roles to close the gap against our peer competitors,” said Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services in the press release.
“The Air Force is utilizing the VRRAD program to address shortages in specific career fields by tapping into the specialized experience of its retired officers and enlisted members,” says Shellie-Anne Espinosa, Section Chief of Media Operations at Robins Air Force Base, “The program takes a targeted approach by carefully assessing and matching each returning member to specific vacant positions, aligning their skills with the Air Force’s critical needs.”
Major Sergeant Deana Heitzman adds that the Air Force has a system to smoothly implement the retired officers back into active duty. “They will have a unit sponsor who will be their advocate as they transition back onto active duty and will guide them through in-processing,” says Heitzman “They will also have full access to the host installation helping agencies to ensure a smooth transition”. The retired officers will also undergo medical evaluation while onboarding to ensure that they are still fit to serve. They anticipate the entire installation time to take about 140 days.
“One of the benefits of resuming active duty for both officer and enlisted Airmen is they will get to add on to their time served to count toward their retirement,” says Espinosa, “They will be credited their time on active duty and their retirement pay will adjust accordingly. When they return to retirement, they will begin receiving their retirement pay again at their new rate.”
Major Sergeant Deana Heitzman with the Department of Public Affairs provides intel that “As of March 27, the Department of the Air Force received 90 officer applications and 7 enlisted applications.”
The Air Force Times provided data that the branch fell short of 1000 pilots this past year, missing the mark on staffing goals. In an article the Air Force Times published on March 6th, 2024 it is stated that “Heather Penney, a defense expert at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, argues the service’s plan to retire hundreds more aircraft without readily apparent replacements will make matters worse.”
With the issues in staffing, the Air Force also announced its intention to retire aircraft fleets.
Section Chief Espinosa says, “While Robins Air Force Base is not experiencing overall staffing shortages, teams around the installation are always looking to hire qualified professionals.” For more information for retired airmen interested in participating in the VRRAD program visit https://www.retirees.af.mil/Library/Return-to-Active-Duty/ for more information.
The Robins Air Force Base will also be hosting a hiring event April 30 at the Museum of Aviation. Espinosa adds, “In addition to interviewing job applicants, officials from the base will also be offering briefings on resume preparation and navigating the federal hiring system.”
