The writing has been etched on walls for a while now, but that doesn't mean what's coming won't be a painful pivot for trained U.S. Army pilots, as well as those in aviation support positions.

As the strategic value of unmanned drones in modern warfare increases with each conflict, the Army is planning to cut approximately 6,500 active duty pilots, flight crews, and maintenance personnel from its current roster of 30,000 aviation-branch soldiers.

“The use of airspace for maneuver that was once unique to our formations is now becoming accessible to soldiers in multiple formations via drone technology,” said Army spokesperson Maj. Montrell Russell to Task & Purpose. “The Army is rapidly transforming to meet the changing character of war and leverage these technological advancements, which is inducing changes in both ground and air formations to optimize our collective force structure.”

"Talent Panels"—currently scheduled for October—will be tasked with determining which aviation officers (first and second lieutenants, captains, and junior warrant officers) will be retained in their current positions as Apache and Black Hawk helicopter pilots, and which will be transferred to another branch of the Army. Enlisted aviation soldiers—who mostly populate flight and maintenance crews—may also be required to have a talent panel decide their fate. (At press time, that decision has not yet been made by Army leadership.)

On a message posted on the MILPER (Military Personnel Message) section of the United States Army Human Resources Command website, it was revealed the panels will consist of a brigadier general, a former brigade commander, and senior warrant officers. The leaders will recommend retention or reclassification based on officer evaluations, input from aviation leaders, and tactical aptitude. In addition, aviation officers will be welcomed to re-evaluate their own career aspirations to see if they have a desire to do a job outside of aviation that would benefit the Army. 

"The Army is doing an ongoing analysis to determine the appropriate approved excess strength to minimize turbulence,” said Russell. "The effort to conduct the Aviation talent panel in an expeditious manner is with the intent of providing notification in sufficient time for our officers and warrant officers to consider these opportunities and submit applications."