Air Force Downsizing Chaplaincy
As noted several months ago, the Air Force has decided to reduce the size of its Chaplaincy. It has apparently transitioned from voluntary separations to forced departures:
Chaplains of all denominations will be involuntarily separated through a selective early retirement board and reduction-in-force process. Roman Catholic priests, in shortest supply across the military, are eligible to leave only through early retirement.
The Air Force reportedly has 528 Chaplains today, and could see as few as 465 by September 2011.