Here's some free advice...worth what you paid.

Go to T-38s and work hard. Don't sandbag. Be ready for the U-2 or B-1 follow on. Do your PME. Don't be a d1ck to the boss--even when he deserves it. Take pride in training your guys...

Here are three possible outcomes if you do that...

--You go to airlines after your tour. But you walk out with your head held high after a job well done.

--You go to an ANG unit--because the ANG/Reserve trainees went home and talked you up to their home units

--You go on to a follow on assignment. You are STUNNED you stayed in, but based on professional and family considerations at the time it seemed like the right thing to do...

I did option 3. I NEVER thought I'd stay past my initial committment. But...there I was in 96...signing the bonus and hanging on for a few more years. Made O-5 in the ANG and had a great ride. I've met a lot of guys who THOUGHT they were bailing out suddenly find out that life had a different plan. Don't pee in your own fishbowl and mess things up for yourself--work hard every day and enjoy the ride. That way--whatever you do--you'll have some good options.

And if CBM wanted a 42 year old O-5 to show up and teach in a T-6 or T-38 I'd probably do it in a heartbeat. Instead--I think my F15 fini back in January will close that chapter for good...