[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4375 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4375
To amend title 37, United States Code, to require the payment of the
maximum amount of aviation incentive pay to aviation officers with more
than 8 years of aviation service and to enhance the retention
incentives available to aviation officers.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 22, 2026
Mr. Budd (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. King, Mr. Schmitt, Mr. Sheehy,
Mr. Rounds, Mr. Cramer, and Mr. Kaine) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 37, United States Code, to require the payment of the
maximum amount of aviation incentive pay to aviation officers with more
than 8 years of aviation service and to enhance the retention
incentives available to aviation officers.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Retention Enhancements for Tactical
Aircrew INitiative Act of 2026'' or the ``RETAIN Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. PAYMENT OF MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF AVIATION INCENTIVE PAY TO OFFICERS
WITH MORE THAN 8 YEARS OF AVIATION SERVICE.
Section 334(c) of title 37, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``subject to
paragraph (5),'' before ``aviation incentive''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) Maximum amount for officers with more than 8 years of
aviation service.--An officer who is entitled to aviation
incentive pay under subsection (a) and has completed more than
8 years of aviation service shall receive the maximum monthly
amount of such pay under paragraph (1)(A).''.
SEC. 3. ENHANCEMENT OF AIR FORCE RATED OFFICER RETENTION DEMONSTRATION
PROGRAM.
(a) Eligible Officers.--Subsection (b)(2) of section 604 of the
James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023
(Public Law 117-263; 37 U.S.C. 301b note) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and not less than one year''; and
(2) by striking ``under section 653 of title 10, United
States Code''.
(b) Written Agreements.--Subsection (c)(1) of such section is
amended--
(1) by striking ``four years'' and inserting ``one year'';
and
(2) by striking ``under section 653 of title 10, United
States Code''.
(c) Retention Incentives.--Subsection (d) of such section is
amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following
new paragraph (1):
``(1) Flexibility of assignment and duty locations.--Under
the demonstration program required under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall offer to a rated officer described in
subsection (b), to the maximum extent practicable (as
determined by the Secretary)--
``(A) assignment to the duty location of the rated
officer's preference, including consecutive assignments
to the same duty location;
``(B) the opportunity to perform a staff assignment
that does not require flying remotely, such that the
officer may avoid relocation or remain in active flying
status; and
``(C) the opportunity to transition indefinitely to
a non-combat aviation service position.'';
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following
new paragraph (2):
``(2) Aviation bonus.--
``(A) In general.--Under the demonstration program
required under subsection (a), notwithstanding section
334(c) of title 37, United States Code, the Secretary
may pay to a rated officer described in subsection (b)
an aviation bonus not to exceed an average annual
amount of $100,000.
``(B) Payment of maximum amount.--The Secretary--
``(i) shall ensure the maximum amount
payable under subparagraph (A) is offered to
any rated officer described in subsection (b)
who executes a written agreement under
subsection (c) to remain on active duty for one
or more years after the completion of the
active duty service obligation of the officer;
and
``(ii) may not vary the amount of an
aviation bonus offered to an officer based on
the active duty service commitment the officer
has remaining at the time of offer.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) Aligning total force incentives.--The Secretary shall
ensure that an offer under this subsection to a rated officer
described in subsection (b) includes--
``(A) contract length options equal to or shorter
than contract length options offered by the Air
National Guard and the Air Force Reserve; and
``(B) an aviation bonus under paragraph (2) in an
amount that is equal to or exceeds the amounts offered
by the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.''.
(d) Extension of Demonstration Project.--Subsection (g) of such
section is amended by striking ``2028'' and inserting ``2031''.
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