Major growth predicted for Reserve by 2015

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Major growth predicted for Reserve by 2015
By Erik Holmes - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Aug 5, 2008 7:33:27 EDT

The Air Force Reserve is slated to grow by more than 7,000 airmen during the next several years, and Reserve leaders are considering an increase in recruiting goals and bonuses, and a new travel pay for some reservists.

Gen. Norton Schwartz, nominated to become the next chief of staff, told lawmakers in a July 22 memo that the Reserve will increase by 7,095 airmen by fiscal 2015, bringing end strength to 74,795 — roughly what it was before the personnel drawdown began in 2005. The Reserve now has about 67,500 airmen.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced in June, just days after ousting the Air Force chief of staff and secretary, that he would freeze the drawdown at about 330,000 active-duty airmen. But it was not clear what impact Gates’ decision would have on the Reserve. (The Guard will not grow because it reduced its budget in other areas rather than cut personnel.)

Although it now appears certain the Reserve will grow, the growth will not be in the same career fields that were slashed during the drawdown.

“It’s going to be in new mission areas,” said Col. Shaun Kelleher, director of Reserve personnel at the Pentagon. “We’re shifting our capabilities based on what big Air Force is going to do.”


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/08/airforce_reserve_080408/