Ok, so here are the options:

1. Retire May 1st, 2013. I have a job offer to fly in Afghanistan, 2 months on 2 months off.

2. Take an unaccompanied flying tour for 18 months. I'd see the family maybe once every two weeks and they could come out for long holidays and the summer. Could be an accompanied tour but I don't want to have daughter change high schools.

My current stats: ~ 1800 TT, all multi, ~650 PIC, ATP, FAA Class 1, FCC Operator, no instructor ticket. If I do the unaccompanied I could get my instructor ticket. My recency (100 hours in the past 12 months) drops May 1st. I have no buds at any of the places currently hiring that I would want to work at, and I've received no calls from those companies. Here are the positives and negatives as I see them:

Positives

1. Out of the military and have more flexibility to accept the dream job if they call. Pay is very good and I'm building multi-time. The 2 months off I can do anything that I want. I've spent a year living over there so I'm familiar/comfortable with the living conditions. Oldest daughter could attend college for free in California which would allow me to roll Post 9/11 benefits to next daughter in line. Overall pay would increase by 40K and I'm only working 6 months out of the year. Can live anywhere that I want.

2. Still in military so pay is same, could earn an extra 5% for retirement, high 3 average will go up to include 3 years as O-4 vice only 2, a flying job, could turn back in a leased vehicle and reduce monthly debt obligations under SCRA, would get instructor ticket. Only locked in for 12 months of that 18 months but could possibly reduce that to 9 with terminal leave. Family still has dental and vision plans (have 1 in braces). If dream job doesn't call could extend to 24 months and keep flying or possibly do the Afghanistan job.

Negatives

1. It's freaking Afghanistan. Gone for 2 months at a time.

2. Locked into minimum of 12 months, away from the family more than option 1 in the long run. Ground job. Did I mention ground job?

So, any positives or negatives that I'm missing? Earliest that I could retire if I take the assignment would be September 2014 assuming no terminal leave to reduce that 12 month requirement on station.

thanks!!