The National Army introduced the "Tom Cruise Clause" to allow senior pilots to extend their service, but the pay gap with civil aviation pilots still remains

The Ministry of National Defense plans to promote the "Air Force Dedicated Flying Officer Utilization Regulations" to relax the service age for senior flying officers such as lieutenant colonels and colonels. The picture shows the emergency takeoff of the Phantom fighter jet. (File photo)

[Reporter Tu Ju-Mian/Taipei Report] While the Ministry of National Defense is financing the purchase of new fighter aircraft, it is planning to promote the "Air Force Specialized Flying Officer Utilization Measures" to significantly extend the service age of senior lieutenant colonels and colonel flying officers who have served for 14 years or more. According to estimates from the Ministry of National Defense’s budget and public report data, senior school-level pilots can receive up to about 300,000 yuan per month after receiving bonuses and service renewal bonuses. However, compared with the average monthly salary of civil aviation principal pilots of 400,000 to 500,000 yuan and co-pilots of 250,000 to 350,000 yuan, whether the new measures of the national army can truly retain talents needs to be verified later.

The Ministry of National Defense released a report on "Flight Personnel Retirement, Replenishment and Retention Mechanism Actions". It was mentioned that the current Air Force flight manpower ratio is about 87.8%, but it is affected by multiple external factors. Especially when the civil aviation fleet is expanding its recruitment, and colonels who have reached the maximum service period of 30 years, the retirement age is about 52 years old. Compared with civil aviation pilots, who can practice until the age of 65, early transition has the advantage of continuing their flying career, which leads some pilots to choose to transition after the basic service period expires, or after serving for 20 years.

The report also states that so far this year, all retired Air Force pilots have served the minimum statutory period of service, but have not yet reached the maximum period of service at each level.

Due to the current situation, air force pilots need to undertake heavy tasks, and the national military also has to compete with private aviation companies for personnel. (File photo, provided by the Ministry of National Defense)

According to the salary information listed in the budget of the Ministry of National Defense for next year, taking the ninth-level lieutenant colonel and the tenth-level colonel as examples, the monthly basic salary is 46,500 yuan and 55,690 yuan respectively. In addition, professional bonuses of 28,980 yuan and 34,400 yuan can be received. The total of the two is 75,480 yuan and 90,990 yuan respectively. If the volunteer service bonus, the first type combat unit bonus, and the upper limit of the air service bonus that can be received by those who meet certain qualifications are taken into account, it is estimated that the monthly salary of a lieutenant colonel and a colonel fighter pilot can reach 187,880 yuan and 202,490 yuan respectively.

In addition, the Chinese military uses the "Flying Officer Continuing Active Service Grant" to encourage senior flying officers to stay in the camp. Those who have served for 14 years or more but less than 30 years and have signed a contract to continue serving in accordance with regulations. Fixed-wing aircraft lieutenant colonels and colonels can receive scholarships of 1.44 million yuan and 1.08 million yuan respectively every year, which is equivalent to 120,000 yuan and 90,000 yuan per month. Including the above-mentioned benefits, the average monthly total of the two is about 307,880 yuan and 292,490 yuan respectively. However, the actual amount of payment still depends on the salary level of individual officers and soldiers, aircraft type, flight qualifications, unit of employment and related payment qualifications.

Colonel Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise in the movie "The Last Stand," has served in the U.S. Navy for more than 30 years. (AP file photo)

The Ministry of National Defense promoted the "Air Force Specialized Flying Officer Utilization Regulations", which is also known as the "Tom Cruise Clause" by the outside world. This is because of the 2022 movie "Defender: Maverick", starring the famous American actor Tom. The character played by Cruise is Colonel Mitchell, who has served in the U.S. Navy for more than 30 years and has been promoted to general in the same period. He is still on the front line training new military pilots and even flying aircraft to perform combat missions.

The method mentioned that the National Army plans to retain highly qualified, experienced and mature lieutenant colonel and colonel flying officers who have served for more than 14 years. They will retain their original rank and extend their service to 58 years old according to their wishes. They will not be subject to the 26-year service period for lieutenant colonels and 30 years for colonels. restrictions, and will continue to provide active-duty scholarships and air service bonuses. They will be deployed in various combat teams, special aircraft units, etc., and will continue to be responsible for combat readiness and training. Currently, it is planned to add 72 dedicated flying officer positions. Relevant measures have been submitted to the Executive Yuan for review.

However, according to public information from the Aeronautical Development Association, the average monthly salary of co-pilots in domestic airlines is 250,000 to 350,000 yuan, and that of principal pilots is about 400,000 to 500,000 yuan. Some airlines not only increase their annual average salary, but also provide outstation, board and lodging allowances. The salary of foreign airlines may be higher. It remains to be seen whether the National Army, which has been affected by multiple external factors, can use new measures to keep more senior pilots in the camp.