Ones Ready
A team of active duty Combat Control (CCT), Pararescue (PJ), and Special Reconnaissance (SR) leveraging our 69 years of special operations experience to make the next generation of operators smarter, faster and stronger than we ever were. We are the PREMIERE resource for all things Air Force Special Warfare. The Ones Ready Podcast is honest talk about what it is like to go from a know-nothing high school graduate to an elite Special Operator. We will cover important practices for success including physical training, nutrition, recovery, and mindset traits essential to any team. Join us in The Team Room to get all your questions answered!! With battle-tested operators from across USAF SPECWAR and far-reaching web of recruiters, subject matter experts, and friends, there are no questions we can’t answer- and if we can’t, we know exactly where to look. See you in The Team Room!Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the OnesReady team are those of the team and do not reflect the official policy or position of the DoD. Any content provided by our Podcast guests, bloggers, sponsors, or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign the DoD, any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone.
Ones Ready
Ep 472: The Air Force Just Ghosted Your Bonus and Retirement Plans
In this high-velocity “WTF is happening?” episode of the Ones Ready podcast, Jared pulls no punches breaking down the latest Pentagon finance dumpster fire—because apparently, the Air Force’s solution to a budget shortfall is to hit pause on YOUR retirement and nuke the Selective Retention Bonus mid-fiscal year. Classic.
We’re talking cancelled bonuses, delayed separation orders, SkillBridge chaos, and the mind-blowing revelation that even the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force got blindsided. If you thought Big Blue had a plan, lol, think again.
This isn't normal. This isn't routine. And it sure as hell isn't okay. Jared brings receipts, ETP breakdowns, and a warning to every operator banking on a transition plan that just went up in bureaucratic flames.
🔥 Key Takeaways:
- The Air Force is out of money—mid-fiscal year. You read that right.
- Retirement/separation orders are being delayed until further notice if your date is in 2026 or later.
- SkillBridge? Yeah, good luck out-processing on time. Leadership says, “Manage your expectations.”
- ETPs (Exceptions to Policy) are only for mission-critical or personal disasters. Convenience doesn’t count.
- SRBs (Selective Retention Bonuses) for Spec War jobs were CANCELLED—no warning, no backup.
- Even the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force was kept out of the loop. Wild.
- No, this does NOT “happen every year.” Stop gaslighting yourself.
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Quick hit intro & no fluff
00:30 – Breaking news from ACC & CMSAF’s office
01:20 – Retirement/Separation Order freeze explained
03:00 – SkillBridge chaos and guidance
05:00 – ETP (Exception to Policy) flow & eligibility
06:15 – The SRB screw-job & why it’s unprecedented
08:00 – Why Special Warfare recruiting is hard enough already
09:00 – Final thoughts & "more to follow"
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