Originally Posted by
AirCav
If you have a class date for a major, retire. Then, if the last 10-15 years are any indication, they will offer a retired return to service in the USAF. You come back in, serve 3-4 more years as a staffer or T-38 IP and , it all works out. They Reserves may even open the door to previous retirees like they did in the past.
AC
Bingo, we saw the same thing happen post Carter under Pres. Regan. Huge increase in pilot staffing. Best seniority story ever was a 12 year USAF Captain who got hired at American, then went back on active duty, made it to 0-4, six years later returned and checked out as Captain with less than 12 months on the line at AA. That happened in the late 1960's-early 1970's. Saw something similar at NWA 1998-2003. History repeats.