Originally Posted by
rickair7777
With 17 years AD and a few reserve years to seal the deal, at age 60 (earlier if he does any OCO deployments in the reserves) that would amount to almost the same regular AD he would have got at 20 (that 17 years is a HUGE weighting factor, he gets full credit for that). He could actually beat the regular AD value if he makes O5 (probably will) and stays longer than 20 (more points x higher paygrade value).
Reserves are the way to go IMHO. You can utilize Tricare Reserve Select for your family and I think it is about $220 a month. In AETC specifically, mandays are at a premium! Yes it's a grind, but until you hire on with an airline you can still get paid and earn points until retirement. We have had guys at their 19 year point jump to the Reserves, crank out the 365 they needed for a full AD retirement at their own pace while applying to the airlines. You can't chaff off Big Blue and hit the gym for 2 hours a day and bail at 1630. They simply dig their claws in and will not let you go this route. I say find a Reserve flying gig you want, where you want and jump from AD.