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The Air Force wants at least 1,000 retired officers and enlisted service members to come back to work to fill critical personnel vacancies in several fields, ranging from pilots and missile operations to finance and public affairs.
The Voluntary Retired Return to Active Duty Program is aimed at officers who retired as captains through lieutenant colonels and enlisted troops who retired as staff sergeants through senior master sergeant.
The application window is open through Jan. 31, 2026, and those selected will serve no more than a four-year tour, Air Force officials said this week.
“The VRRAD program is a strategic enabler to embrace experienced talent, tapping into a valuable resource of retired members to fill critical roles to close the gap against our peer competitors,” said Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, the Air Force’s personnel chief.
Like the other services, the Air Force has been hit hard by the most dire recruiting challenges since the end of the draft more than 50 years ago. It missed its active-duty recruiting goal in 2023 for the first time since 1999, falling about 2,700 airmen short of its target number of 26,877.
Officers who volunteer to return to active duty under the VRRAD program will primarily fill vacant flying, staff, and training positions. They must be under 58 and medically qualified for active duty. Those applying for flying positions must have been qualified in an Air Force aircraft within 10 years, officials said.
Retired pay will cease for Air Force personnel returning to active duty. It will start up again once they finish their additional tour in uniform with the extra years of service added, officials said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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