Some Air Force reservists may reach the new extended maximum man-days, requiring them to get waivers to serve additional days this year. Prior to passage of the 2005 defense authorization act, reservists could only serve 179 man-days per year without a waiver, but just over three years later, Air Force Reserve Command officials say scores could overshoot the new max of 1,095 days in a rolling four-year calendar in October 2008. Defense personnel chief David Chu had called the 179-day rule an impediment “to effective reserve force use and total force integration.” For one thing, the extended rule has enabled USAF to keep volunteer reservists on active duty tours across fiscal years without counting them against the service’s active end strength. (AFRC report by MSgt. Chance Babin)
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.