New US air force policy diverts T-38 graduates to non-fighter roles Amid pilot shortage

The US Air Force is enacting a major policy shift that will impact recent graduates of T-38 Talon pilot training.

Thus, the US Air Force is introducing a new policy that may impact recent T-38 Talon pilot training graduates, potentially requiring them to fly aircraft other than their preferred fighters or bombers. This move aims to address a severe pilot shortage affecting the service, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

According to an internal memo shared on social media and confirmed by the Air Force, the service is currently short of 1,848 pilots, with 1,142 of those needed for fighter roles. Lt. Col. Phil Ventura, a spokesperson for the Department of the Air Force, verified that this memo reflects the pilot shortage issues outlined in a similar internal communication last month. 

The new policy, described as a "significant but necessary change," will open all career options to T-38 graduates, not just fighter and bomber positions. This adjustment comes as the Air Force grapples with delays in placing new pilots into their desired units, sometimes extending up to a year. As a result, new pilots may be assigned to roles involving mobility and refueling aircraft, rather than waiting for fighter or bomber positions to become available.

The memo highlighted that T-38 graduates will now be considered for a broader range of aircraft roles, including non-fighter and bomber positions. "While we would prefer to send every qualified T-38 graduate to a fighter [Formal Training Unit], circumstances dictate that we utilize available capacity to maximize pilot production," the memo states. 

Additionally, the memo indicates that T-38 graduates will be asked to list all aircraft roles on their preference sheets and may volunteer for non-fighter or bomber assignments. This policy shift is aimed at addressing delays caused by maintenance issues with the T-38 Talon, a shortage of instructors, and long wait times for new students. The Air Force has faced ongoing challenges with recruiting, training, and retaining pilots for nearly a decade. Despite offering significant bonuses to attract new aviators, the service fell short by approximately 120 pilots last fiscal year.