Thanks for the replies. I was prior enlisted Navy for 10 years before crossing over to AF officer. With a 2 year break for ROTC, I am 43 at the 23 year mark.

I did some number crunching with the retirement calculator on AFPC and came up with these numbers.
As an O-4 w/24 yrs, =$4440/mo pension.
Staying in 4 more years (70% retirement) =$5466/mo.
If promoted to O-5 with 28yrs =$6422.
The are estimates but looks like staying in 4 more years with promotion to O-5 to retire with 28 years would be an extra $2K/month. Assuming I live until 85, that would be another 37yrs (444 months) x $2K = $888,000 for staying in. I'd have to make $178K for 5 years to offset assuming I fly until 65 and make the big bucks as captain.

Does that check? QOL is huge no doubt. I've spent too much time away from home but I also understand the airlines are gone a bit until you move up the ladder...