Left hand to Right hand

Although it's not new news, Bush wants to "surge" but the military claims lack of personnel. My friend the air force pilot just quit with only a few years left to retirement. He stated he was tired of bombing non-strategic targets (read innocent people), being redeployed shortly after his tour was over, time and again, and most tired of flying transport planes full of body bags, (required of fighter pilots returning home).

Here's where it gets interesting...he told his superior that he as going to up and quit, and his superior told him to wait a short while as rumor had it the force was about it initiate an early retirement program. Sure enough, the offer was made, there were lines of officers waiting to sign up for the perk, and when the line finally ended the service then 'offered' a lesser perk to even more officers (sounds like firing them without involuntary discharge) thereby thinning the ranks during wartime. In short, they are taking career personnel and 'encouraging' them to quit by buying their early retirement.

This friend who has always taken great pride in his choice of occupation and service to his country, felt he was forced out due to overwork and a gilded retirement package. So here is a guy who planned a career in the air force since he was in grade school, was close to retirement (he'll get none now) had years of costly training, an impeccable record, was on the fast track for advancement, and is now unemployed. During wartime, just before a 'surge'. HUH?