In December 2013, the U.S. Air Force announced plans to implement force management programs in order to reduce its force by up to 25,000 Airmen over the next five years to meet budget reduction requirements. The enlisted retention program is one of several expanded force management programs that will be implemented, as well as enlisted quality force review boards, officer force shaping board, enhanced selective early retirement boards, a reduction in force board, and officer and enlisted voluntary separation pay incentives for Airmen in non-critical, overage specialties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Teresa Aber/Released)