A newly released RAND study concludes that long work hours and demanding schedules, rather than the number of deployments, are responsible for fueling intentions not to remain in the military. Researchers say that members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines value their participation in real world missions, but that rising stress levels created by things like uncertainty over deployment dates, separation from family, feelings of not being prepared, and long hours can counter the positive benefit of “meaningful operations.” The study is called “How Deployments Affect Service Members.”
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.