Correct. The U.S. has many retention programs to try to keep pilots serving past their initial military commitments. There is a lot of money invested into them.
Pilots have been the most valuable component since WWI. The U.S. recognition of this and emphasis on rescuing downed pilots in the Pacific was a decisive advantage.
Hmm, people are often more expensive than what you pay them. That's even true on civy-street, where you don't usually pay as large a propaganda costs when their employment is terminated.