It looks like leaving the Navy as an F-18 pilot is inevitable. I will likely FOS (not select) for O-4 Summer 2015 and again in 2016. My MSR is Fall 2016. My goal is to not do or say something that will prevent me from receiving something I might have, such as severance pay.

I will have 60 days terminal leave on the books too.

1) I heard you should never tell people you're getting out until you drop your letter. When do I have to drop the letter?
2) When should I sign up for TAPS and does that let the cat out of the bag to BUPERS? How would they know?
3) Would dropping my letter or attending TAPS (or anything else you can think of) make me ineligible for the severance pay?
4) How exactly does one obtain the severance pay? Would I have to sit on my butt going months past my MSR watching my buddies get better hiring seniority in the airlines?
5) When should I interview with the airlines?
6) Considering I will have 2 months terminal leave, should I plan on classing up with the airlines then?
7) If I'm committed to getting out, should I take the DH bonus?

Thanks for answering all of these questions, but I feel that there is no one else that can.