The U.S. Air Force decided to initiate its initial phase of force reduction -- more than four hundred captains and majors will be "pink-slipped."  Economically, this makes absolutely no sense, especially during the troubling economic hardships faced within the nation.  At any rate, a force reduction could indicate that the Air Force, like most branches of the armed forces, is cutting the wrong personnel. The average monthly salary of a military captain or major equates to approximately $5,500 base pay.  Now, look at the average monthly salary of those officers who have already reached twenty years' service -- the minimum time authorized to retire from the armed forces.  A "full bird colonel" with twenty years' service averages $9,000 a month in basic pay. Remember, after colonels, four additional military ranks known as "flag officers" exist, and these generals average an additional $2,000 more per month in basic pay than colonels -- all have already reached...(Read Full Post)