Air Force previews plan to phase out enlisted drone pilots

[etodd]

Big Brother slowing down its "reconnaissance" drone program:

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/12/07/air-force-previews-plan-to-phase-out-enlisted-drone-pilots/

[TheSkyHornet]

I never really grasped why the Air Force didn't reintroduce Warrant Officers for drone operations.

[PHall]

I never really grasped why the Air Force didn't reintroduce Warrant Officers for drone operations.

The exact same reason the haven't brought back warrant officers for any other job.
They don't want too. The Chief's Mafia is very clear about this.

[MSG Mac]

In the late 50's all the military services agreed to add E-8 and E-9, to give SNCO'S added responsibilities as technical specialists. The AF saw this as a means to eliminate the Warrants (though it did take 20+ years). The other services said "We'll consider it",then found the WO's were irreplaceable.
Changing Drone pilots from enlisted to Officer is merely a case of making room for those officers who didn't make it through UPT.

[TheSkyHornet]

In the late 50's all the military services agreed to add E-8 and E-9, to give SNCO'S added responsibilities as technical specialists. The AF saw this as a means to eliminate the Warrants (though it did take 20+ years). The other services said "We'll consider it",then found the WO's were irreplaceable.
Changing Drone pilots from enlisted to Officer is merely a case of making room for those officers who didn't make it through UPT.

That seems like a fairly oversimplification, considering that the Army employs junior enlisted as "operators" in its UAS program, and the Navy employs warrant officers for its drone pilots.

[heliodoc]

Agreed SkyHornet

IF those issues were identified beforehand. Another dis of enlisted aviator types..theres always the civilian world

[PHall]

And the "washout" rate at SUPT is fairly low these days mostly because of the screening programs used to select who attends. SUPT is a pretty expensive program and the Air Force does what they can to get the most they can from each buck.

[GroundHawg]

In the late 50's all the military services agreed to add E-8 and E-9, to give SNCO'S added responsibilities as technical specialists. The AF saw this as a means to eliminate the Warrants (though it did take 20+ years). The other services said "We'll consider it",then found the WO's were irreplaceable.
Changing Drone pilots from enlisted to Officer is merely a case of making room for those officers who didn't make it through UPT.

The last active-duty Air Force chief warrant officer, CWO4 James H. Long, retired in 1980. The last Air Force Reserve chief warrant officer, CWO4 Bob Barrow, retired in 1992. Upon his retirement, Barrow was honorarily promoted to CWO5, the only person in the Air Force ever to hold this grade.

[RiverAux]

 I don't see much of a reason to have any rank requirements associated with this.  Perhaps you want someone who has been in the service and has developed a good record showing that you can trust them with some very expensive equipment. 

[SarDragon]

I don't see much of a reason to have any rank requirements associated with this.  Perhaps you want someone who has been in the service and has developed a good record showing that you can trust them with some very expensive equipment. 

There are a lot of politics involved, mostly unrelated to actual skills, talents, and knowledge. This has been common in the military community for many years.

[TheSkyHornet]

I don't see much of a reason to have any rank requirements associated with this.  Perhaps you want someone who has been in the service and has developed a good record showing that you can trust them with some very expensive equipment. 

That could be said about any job. Nonetheless, MOS/AFSC slots are filled based on a person being enlisted or officer corps.

[SarDragon]

In the late 50's all the military services agreed to add E-8 and E-9, to give SNCO'S added responsibilities as technical specialists. The AF saw this as a means to eliminate the Warrants (though it did take 20+ years). The other services said "We'll consider it",then found the WO's were irreplaceable.
Changing Drone pilots from enlisted to Officer is merely a case of making room for those officers who didn't make it through UPT.

That seems like a fairly oversimplification, considering that the Army employs junior enlisted as "operators" in its UAS program, and the Navy employs warrant officers for its drone pilots.

Tell me more, by PM if you like. I've been out of the loop too long.

[THRAWN]

In the late 50's all the military services agreed to add E-8 and E-9, to give SNCO'S added responsibilities as technical specialists. The AF saw this as a means to eliminate the Warrants (though it did take 20+ years). The other services said "We'll consider it",then found the WO's were irreplaceable.
Changing Drone pilots from enlisted to Officer is merely a case of making room for those officers who didn't make it through UPT.

That seems like a fairly oversimplification, considering that the Army employs junior enlisted as "operators" in its UAS program, and the Navy employs warrant officers for its drone pilots.

Tell me more, by PM if you like. I've been out of the loop too long.

https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2441013/navy-announces-aerial-vehicle-operator-warrant-officer-specialty/

[TheSkyHornet]

In the late 50's all the military services agreed to add E-8 and E-9, to give SNCO'S added responsibilities as technical specialists. The AF saw this as a means to eliminate the Warrants (though it did take 20+ years). The other services said "We'll consider it",then found the WO's were irreplaceable.
Changing Drone pilots from enlisted to Officer is merely a case of making room for those officers who didn't make it through UPT.

That seems like a fairly oversimplification, considering that the Army employs junior enlisted as "operators" in its UAS program, and the Navy employs warrant officers for its drone pilots.

Tell me more, by PM if you like. I've been out of the loop too long.

https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2441013/navy-announces-aerial-vehicle-operator-warrant-officer-specialty/

Started in August 2021.

Technically, they're calling them "operators" and not pilots to avoid confusion (amid other issues) with the Aviator designation.

[SarDragon]

Interesting. Thanks.

[FlyingPig]

I realize this is old, but I'm bored and scrolling.  My son is an E4/Cpl in the Army and flies the Gray Eagle.  In the Army, the drone field is 100% enlisted with warrant officers acting as company commanders.  There are zero officers in the army drone world.  Plus the crews perform both roles. Pilot and sensor operator.

He has about 18 months left on his contract, which will put him at 8 years total.   He recently met with an Air Guard and Air Force recruiter about switching to the USAF when he reenlists and they both told him its highly unlikely he'll be able to switch over and stay in drones because the USAF drone world is ridiculously over manned.

Ive always been enlisted, but served on active in the Marines and Reserves in the Army and USAF(Commitment issues) for a total of 10 years.  I EAS from the USAFR next month and although I didnt have a ton of experience in the USAFR, I found it to be ridiculously complex to navigate and get things done.  Again, I was a reservist, but contrary to what I recall experiencing in the other branches, you cant get anything done in the USAFR unless your an officer or a E7 or above.  In the Marines I was a Platoon Sgt with 30-35 Marines as an E4.   So the culture of the USAF just doesnt seem to smile kindly on enlisted for anything remotely prestigious on the aviation side.   Enlisted people "flying"a drone?  Heck no.... smack that crap back.