I can't say I know what it is like to be a Viper driver, but I have felt your deployment pain. I spent 5 years 5 days overseas (deployed) out of 8.5 years of flying tankers. I even had the opportunity to have some flak flung my way in combat. I joined the ANG. What a difference! Instead of Bahrain for 270 days it was Istres, Geilenkirchen, Iceland, Turkey, and many others. My ANG unit got BRAC'd (Predatored). I am now in the AF Reserves. This unit seems great. I have to say I honestly love serving my country and being the best Tanker guy I can be.

(I met the guy who was in that tent with you, and who didn't make it)(I hope they executed that bastard who flung the grenade)

All that said I just got my 1st Airline job and am currently in training with a major airline. I am excited and looking forward to flying brand new 737's
All that said, don't leave if you do not, can not, leave the fighter behind.
There was an ex Viper driver in my guard unit. He was sorry he left and raised heaven and earth to get back into it. He finally got his Viper back.

The good news....
I got out of active duty just as I hit the fast track. I left to take care of ill parents. I felt sure of O5, a DO slot maybe even SQCC. Family came first. My folks both past. One door closes, another opens. I met my wife and have never been happier. I have a happy wife, kids next year, two dogs, and a home by the beach in CA. I do not have to worry about being sent back to Grand Forks, or in your case Cannon or Kunsan.

I have the best of both worlds. I can serve my country when I want or need to with the Reserve, (the Airline must give you military leave) and have a job flying an aircraft younger than me (KC-135 hit 50 last year) the 737's have new plane smell. There is a Viper patch wearer in my class and he seems happy too.

Big picture sow your oats. Don't leave the Viper or the Air Force if you are not ready. You have to be happy to make your family happy.

If you do decide to become an Airline guy. Be prepared for culture shock. The Airline world was much different than I prepared myself for. Training is very focused and intensive. You have to get your resume out there.

I interviewed with Alaska, SWA, AirTran, and UPS. I was offered two jobs.

It took a year to get those interviews, so start in advance of leaving active duty. I recommend going to job fairs like AIRINC, OBAP, and women in aviation. I am not black or a woman, but there were only a couple of hundred people at those job fairs rather than a couple of thousand at AIRINC. All the employers were there. There were lots of other white guys at both events. I ended up networking and getting a job through OBAP. I plan on being a big sponsor of OBAP if I get the opportunity. I appreciate all the help they provided.

The Airline world seems kind of cold. In my 737 type class (for SWA) there was a guy with 18 years at Independence airlines (15,000 hours) only to be out on the street.

Joining a union. I still don't get this. In the military we all pulled the same direction (for the most part). Management does not like the union and the union hates management, it seems like a losing strategy. I will not be a scab (no future in it), so I hope management and the union can get along.

Good luck, see if you can get in with a Guard or Reserve unit, as well as pursue the Airlines.

Take Care
Fly the plane first
Boogie