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119-s-4373119th CongressWALLET

Fighter Aircrew Career Flexibility Act

Sponsored By: Senator Budd, Ted [R-NC]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a pilot that lets experienced active-duty Air Force fighter aircrew take a one-time, time-limited career intermission to test whether targeted breaks reduce early separations and keep experienced pilots and navigators in staff and leadership roles. The program would focus on officers in the 11F and 12F career fields who have completed their initial training service commitment.

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  • Fighter aircrew who qualify could enter an intermission lasting between 4 months and 1 year, transfer temporarily to the Individual Ready Reserve, and must complete periodic inactive-service training to maintain military skills and fitness.
  • Wing commanders may limit participation for mission needs and members scheduled to deploy cannot start an intermission until they return or the deployment is canceled; existing active-duty service commitments generally will not block eligibility.
  • Returning aircrew get expedited onboarding within 30 days and incur an active-duty service commitment equal to twice the intermission length; intermission time does not count toward retirement eligibility or certain reserve transfers. The Secretary must report on outcomes within 4 years and the pilot ends after 5 years.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Service time, retirement, and return rules

This bill would make any break time not count toward military retirement eligibility or retired or retainer pay. When you return from a break, you would incur a new active-duty service commitment equal to twice the length of the break (for example, a 6-month break would add 12 months). The Secretary could order a participant back to active service under regulations. The Air Force would have to provide expedited onboarding so returning participants meet flight or staff prerequisites within 30 days.

No promotion penalty for participants

This bill would bar using program participation as a negative factor in promotion boards, assignments, career development opportunities, or selection for intermediate and senior education. The law would direct that current promotion rules guide consideration and eligibility for participants. Participation could not be used to deny career progress.

Pay, housing, and access during break

This bill would let participants keep pay and allowances under current law while on the break, subject to the program rules. Participants in government housing could stay in their residence, but they would be responsible for rent during any period when Basic Allowance for Housing is suspended. The Air Force would try to let participants keep security clearances, base and network access, their Common Access Card, and commissary and exchange privileges. Returning members would be placed on orders that protect their civilian reemployment rights under the USERRA exception to the five-year limit.

Career break pilot for fighter aircrew

This bill would require the Air Force to start a pilot program within one year to let experienced 11F and 12F officers take a temporary career break. The Defense Secretary would issue rules within 180 days. The pilot would end five years after it starts and the Air Force must report to Congress within four years about applications, retention, staffing, and recommendations. Only active-component officers with AFSC 11F or 12F who finished their pilot or navigator training service commitment could apply. Breaks would be 4 to 12 months, participants would move to the Individual Ready Reserve, and members scheduled for deployment could not join until they return. Wing commanders would approve entries and must decide written requests within 30 days, and they must decide requested changes to break length within 14 days.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Budd, Ted [R-NC]

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

  • Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

  • Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

  • Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

  • Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

    ME • I

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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