According to the February edition of the Air Force Times, the 2009 Air Force budget recognized some concerns coming from the Pararescue community. While the budget request indicated that the increase would not be spectacular, it would be still be higher than last years.
Maj. Gen. Larry Spencer, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for budget stated, “We do have some concerns with hard-to-fill skills like medical and pararescue.” “We do have some concerns also with [noncommissioned officers] from six to 14 years [service] so we do have some money in the budget for recruiting and retention, a little more than last year.”
The budget request was already submitted to the President, but must still be approved by Congress later this year.
