To make this thread all about ME, let me throw a wrench in this topic and say the same guy was at 16yrs (4yrs from retirement) however, flying currently in his active job and would be when he hit 20yrs (but that's in 2019). Do you leave the mil retirement money on the table, walk for the QOL and seniority # now at 16years or stay to the 20yr point to collect from Uncle Sam?

[All of this assumes you get on with a Major at this 16yr point, do the reserve gig so you don't waste the 16yrs you have, etc.]