I don't have much knowledge about the reserve world. I did 20 years active and got my 04 retirement in 1988 to ease the transition to airline new hire pay. I put in 18 years at UAL. My military retirement is now my main source of income. My Tricare for life is my medicare supplement. Other UAL guys my age are spending big bucks for their retiree insurance. I had a great airline career, but you never know how even a great career will end up. My military retirement really has saved my butt.