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
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.
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
.