I have heard the USAF is starting to have retention issues. Is this just an "urban legend" floating around, or is there some truth to this?

This cannot be an urban legend. I performed the national anthem for literally twice as many retiring SNCOs and COL/LT Cols as I saw new boots arriving on base.

Yes they are

I was recently at the Military Flight Training USA conference at Randolf AFB, TX. This retention issue was discussed but it was mainly centered around pilot shortages and the shortages of pilots in the commercial airline industry. I most likely think the retention issue is not an urban legend if you look at the numbers from a high level.

So you're saying I have a chance to go back in?

(That was sarcasm. Me, a 46 year old with a Master's degree... going back as a SSgt. Maybe if they start handing out direct commissions to O-3... )

Definitely has to be some truth to it. We have a variety of critically undermanned jobs across the AF. And Early Retirement at 15 yrs being and available option doesn't help with retention either.

My assumption would be many AFSCs are fine, and many are hurting.

Speaking from someone who has been out for a while, but I seen where they were cutting career fields with overages and allow cross training in to the shortages. Not sure if they have done this lately. I would be surprised if they were having problems since they are cutting authorized streneght levels.

I had 2 sons in the AF. One got out, the other is in his 2nd enlistment, but seriously thinking of getting out because of the issues with benefits..housing, medical etc.. Low pay, deployments and TDY's. He says it just doesn't seem to be what he was told when he enlisted 7 years ago. He doesn't mind the deployments/TDY's but he's tired of being told they are going to change is Housing benefits, and the crap he get when a family member needs medical. The other issue is slow promotion. I told him this is nothing new in the AF. My other son was an F16 engine mech.. he got out because civilians working by his side were making more money while doing the same job and didn't have to put up with the AF crap.

I would say that there are always some jobs that have retention issues. Like 2T3X7 "Fleet Managment & Analysis" is one of those thankless jobs. Our job is being contracted out too civilians and the new program that the AF is pushing will ultimately replace our job almost entirely. In the next few years I can see a retention issue as we are not being able to go to too many places outside of the US. Minus deployments to the Middle East.