Lawmakers ask for review of unmanned promotion rate

Two Senate leaders are calling for an investigation into the Air Force’s policies regarding unmanned aircraft personnel, saying they have concerns about the promotion rates, mental health and working conditions for airmen in the career field.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., said in a Sept. 27 letter to the Government Accountability Office that an in-depth analysis is necessary due to the importance of unmanned aircraft in current conflicts, and the heightened demand for airmen in the career field.

“Given the extent to which we increasingly depend upon RPA personnel to conduct military missions of strategic importance to our nation, we believe that we must take rapid and proactive steps to ensure that these personnel are rewarded, rather than disadvantaged for their choice in career path.”

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2012/10/air-force-ask-gao-review-uav-pilots-promotion-rate-100312/