Fighter Aircrew Career Flexibility Act
Sponsored By: Senator Budd, Ted [R-NC]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a one-time, time-limited career intermission for active-duty regular Air Force fighter aircrew. It aims to reduce early separations and keep experienced pilots and navigators available for staff and leadership roles.
Show full summary
- Active-duty fighter aircrew: Officers in the 11F and 12F fields who have completed their training commitment could take an intermission of 4 months to 1 year and would be placed in the Individual Ready Reserve.
- Return and service obligations: On return participants would incur an active duty service commitment equal to double the intermission and must complete expedited onboarding within 30 days to meet flight or staff prerequisites.
- Pay, access, and housing: Participants would generally retain security clearances, base and commissary access, and Common Access Cards to support rapid return. Pay and allowances would follow existing rules and basic allowance for housing may be suspended while members remain in government housing and pay rent.
- Command and mission effects: Wing commanders can approve or limit participation for mission needs and the Secretary may limit participation during deployments. Requests must be processed within 30 days and requests to change intermission length must be adjudicated within 14 days.
- Career and evaluation: Participation may not be used as a negative factor in promotion or career development decisions. The pilot would run for 5 years and the Secretary must provide a report to Congress within 4 years on applications, retention, manning effects, participant outcomes, and a recommendation on continuing or modifying the program.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Aircrew break rules, pay, and retirement
If enacted, participants would move to the Individual Ready Reserve during a break lasting between 4 and 12 months. You would have to sign an agreement to do inactive-service training while away, and you could combine the break with a PCS when operationally feasible. Pay and allowances would continue under existing law (10 U.S.C. 710(f)) and certain entitlements would continue under 10 U.S.C. 710(h). On return, the Air Force would restore required flight or staff qualifications within 30 days and you would incur a new active-duty service commitment equal to twice your break length. Time on the break would not count toward retirement eligibility or retired pay, and you must pay rent if your housing allowance is suspended. Participation could not be used as a negative factor in promotion boards or career development decisions.
One-time breaks for fighter aircrew
If enacted, the bill would require the Air Force to start a pilot program within one year to allow a one-time career break for active-duty officers in AFSC 11F or 12F who finished their pilot or navigator training service commitment. The pilot would end five years after it starts. Wing commanders would decide who may join and must approve or deny written entry requests within 30 days. The Department of Defense would write implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
MO • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Mike Rounds
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
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov