Fly and LossofClock,

I'm right there with both of you in thinking that the opportunities outside of the AD AF are growing while opportunities for those who stay in will diminish. Leadership has made it plainly obvious they value new weapons systems over people, and as these new programs (F-35, KC-46, New Long Range Bomber) get further along with inevitable cost overruns, I think you will see more cuts in the future. For me the clock is ticking as far as opportunity to build flying time and experience, and I'm gaining neither sitting in a GCS all day.

Since the fear my current leadership has about the possible departure of 11M crossflows has been quite evident the past few weeks, I have seriously been examining my options outside of the AD AF. All of my contacts at airlines and guard units seem to have nothing but good news to tell me, so I take that as a sign I should at least apply for the VSP and see what happens. If Big Blue wants to pay me to leave, and I'll still have opportunities to serve in my hometown while flying for an airline (even a regional) I think I'll take that over my current situation.

I only have 1180 TT, 879 C-17 hours, 150 PIC in the 17 and I was told that by current employees that I would be hired by a regional very quickly. I'll keep you guys posted on what's happening with my VSP.