Everyone will prefer recency of experience, but not all will require it. If nothing else, jump in a 172 and log a few hours doing instrument approaches to bring yourself up to speed.

Is your APT written complete prior to 1 Aug 14? If not, then you will require attendance at an ATP-CTP course, which most regionals will pay for; some will insist on a contract for that, though, so ask. Some don't pay wages during ATP-CTP, some do. Pretty much all I know of pays for travel and hotel to and from ATP-CTP.

Where do you want to live? What is your age? (If 50 or older, this limits the time you have to get your 121 time in before moving up)

Lots of questions need to be addressed, but stick with it, ignore the childish BS on here, and you will get your answers eventually. Lots of us former military types on here, there is also a military sub-forum: Military - Airline Pilot Central Forums

Best of luck!!