ImTumbleweed

Really?

Did you read his post?

He's a helo guy who made a career ending choice to fly fixed wing so he could get an airline job.

Did you fly in the military MEMbrain? Or are you just being a troll.

FlyBoyd

All good advice above but I'll add this...

When you spin the "B" track Helo to fixed wing stuff be careful not to speak poorly of the normal "A" track path and the guys that go that route. There is a good chance one of them will be sitting right in front of you.

Cookenbauer

I'll most likely be facing a similar kind of situation. I'm working an extension from my current shore tour command. I've already been double tapped with EP's...so the extension comes at a price..I'll drop down at the bottom of the stack to a MP or P to make room for the guys behind me.

This is obviously against conventional wisdom. It obviously kills an AD career...and also any FTS chances go bye-bye. But I'm 100% percent punching out and feel like keeping on the fence will only hurt me if making the Show is my priority.

I want to keep current as long as possible, in addition to building time. I'll still owe another year of commitment...but this extension helps eat into it. And by dropping 60+ days of terminal leave, I'll easily be inside a year before turning into a non-current pumpkin...giving me a fighting chance to go straight from a disassociated to a flying job.

Even with the "bad" Fitrep (the front office will include language to basically say this fitrep should be ignored and I'm still a breakout performer), I think my chances of getting SELRES are still pretty good, since I have a lot of guys who will vouch for me at several commands. So there's my ace in the hole backup plan.

My only concern would be if that declining/regression FITREP would raise potential flags at an interview. Everything on paper will still say great things...just that the promotion part will be a downgrade because of timing. But I feel like I can comfortably explain it, and I still have good, normal progression of making AC/MC/IP/NATOPS Eval without any blemishes.

I'm banking on the idea that the thinktank for military promotion at Millington is different than one of an interview panel. Let's hope so anyway.

P Tang

I interviewed with UAL and US Airways and neither one asked for copies of my FITREPS or about my military performance in my non-flying jobs. They did comment about the normal progression of AC/MC/IP/NATOPS Eval which you have.

If they ask about why you are leaving just say you have served your commitment and are ready to move on. No need to open a can of worms if you don't have to.

rickair7777

Any airline which does bother to review FITREPs will presumably understand how to read between the lines.

The fast-track to Flag rank is not the same as the fast-track to quality flight time and currency. I don't the majors really want to hire admirals.

full of luv

Not to change your decision but two things to consider.
1. Getting out 9 months earlier in this environ might be worth lots in seniority. Also are you sure you will be passed over cause if you promote then your plan is foiled.
2. You can join selres and will surely promote if you participate but when you reserve retire they will deduct your sep pay from retirement albeit interest free so it's like an interest. Free loan.

This case makes the biggest argument for defined contribution retirements for military as why should 11 yrs of service be worth nothing but failure to promote is?
Luv

CheapTrick

Here's a thought. Make sure that you don't use the "I just want to fly and I didn't want to be a butt kissing, paper pushing, non-flying, square fillin' douchebag." The guy doing the interviewing may well hold a current O6, O7, or O8 billet in the reserves or ANG. My airline has more than a few and at least one is on the interview teams. BTW, all the one's I met have been great. And I've met 2 different O8's this year.

TailHookIP

A friend was recently interviews at DAL and they asked for the DD-214 with "failed to promote" line on it. He was turned down and thinks this had something to do with it. On a similar note, I know guys who have been hired by DAL and UAL with a 2-P. I think it just requires honesty and brevity. If anyone has any other advice on it, I'd love to hear it.

E2CMaster

There is no actual line for failed to promote. Just a separation code JBK

rickair7777

The separation code is on the long dd-214 form, with the discharge character. Safe to assume that any airline will want to see the long form. They can Google the separation codes.