There is nothing in this brief statement that clarifies whether these are twice passed over majors or non-performers. Or what AFSC’s were involved.
More likely, somebody just drew a line and said cut these guys. In which case, they have a valid complaint on their side.
This is just the opening round. A few years ago (2007) when the Air Force was making similar drastic cuts, the Secretary of the Air Force was congratulating one of that year's Twelve Outstanding Airman at a dinner in their honor. He asked that sergeant what his plans were, and was told he was getting out. Puzzled as to why one of the Air Force's best would be getting out after this singular achievement that same SAF asked him why he would want to quit. The sergeant left him dumbfounded when he told the SAF “I'm not quitting Sir, they are RIFing me!”
A year later, that same SAF made a public statement that he had cut too much and too soon.
We'll never learn. It is the 1930’s again, and another Pearl Harbor is rising over the horizon. A lot of Americans are getting their death warrants sealed. And the very people using the scapels will be the same ones looking to blame someone else for the horrors they themselves unleashed.
And when that happens, there will be no ready draft vehicle to fill the ranks again. Jes sayin’.