Originally Posted by Andy
I would also suggest that you consider getting back on active duty sometime after being hired by an airline and finishing out your military career. USERRA allows you to take 5 years of military leave of absence with no penalty. At United, you can take 6 years of military leave of absence and come back with the same seniority as when you left. The big thing is, hiring has continued during that time, so you are much more senior than if you waited until retirement to get an airline job.
Pulling this off is a bit of threading the needle, but it would allow you to accrue seniority at an airline and still get your military retirement.
The Navy Reserve has explicit policies that FORBID anyone who is anywhere near accumulating 20 years ACTIVE time from going on any active duty assignments. The reserves do not budget for full military retirements for reservists and they do not want to pay the bill for them. A few folks have slipped through in the past, but only accidently (or by being injured while on active duty). This is NOT a realistic option in the nav. Don't know about the other branches, maybe the ANG is OK with it.
As to the original question, yes stay in for 20.