That’s pretty rare in the USAF. Most servicemembers will be sent to be retrained on a different airframe or even into a different career field unless their date of separation doesn’t make it worth it. Voluntary separation programs do sometimes pop up but they’re not that common.
replyIt is common to have people separating and coming back immediately as contractors into basically the same job, but that’s usually because there is already a contracted workforce in place and they made connections while serving.
But it is the same affect as what the OP said. In a large organisation, attrition is so high that if you slow recruiting you will soon have a lower headcount. So yes the uniformed deployable military are replaced with civilian 9-5ers. But not the very same people, just the very same roles.
replyI don't think this changes how I feel about it.