Tightening job market ahead for aviators.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Up Front

U.S. Navy aviators will see far more scrutiny of their performance and considerably more intense competition for promotions as a result of unprecedented high levels of pilot retention, officials said.

The soaring retention rates, combined with overall plans to downsize the Navy, offer a mix of good and bad news, said Vice Adm. Michael D. Malone, commander of Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Having more pilots compete for a declining number of jobs will allow the Navy to be more selective in filling leadership positions, a situation which Malone described as a "unique opportunity to reshape the force." The Navy, however, can expect to see morale suffer in the ranks, if junior officers who fail to earn promotions are forced to leave the service to which they had intended to commit their lifetime careers.

Malone, who retires in August, spoke last month at the Association of Naval Aviation annual symposium, in Vienna, Va.

"We are keeping naval aviators in the Navy at rates that we have never experienced before in our lives," he said. Between 2000 and 2001, about 500 officers resigned annually. From 2002 to 2004, the number of departures dropped to between 250 and 200.

Several factors have contributed to the high retention, according to Malone. Among them was the economic recession following the 9/11 attacks, which led to cutbacks in hiring by civilian airlines. A less obvious reason why pilots have chosen to stay has to do with the Navy's new approach to leader development, Malone explained. A growing emphasis on empowering...