Ready and waiting
The USCG began using TERA for officer "force shaping" this past year. Our TERA retirement date is based on 01 OCT to align with the fiscal year and you have to apply and be approved, not sure if the process is similar for each service.
I missed the cut-off this time by only a few days, but all indicators point to another round of TERA as 22 of 24 applicants were approved this first round (with no restriction on specialty). My request is ready for submission as soon as the solicitation is released again via message.
For my situation retiring as an O4 at 18 years and getting a 2 year head-start at an airline is the best option, plus I don't have to move again. No guarantee on the job, I know, but I have several contingencies if no joy in catching this hiring wave.
-4FF