Glad it worked out for you. I left AD after 10 years in 93 when the furloughs were going and I had my interviews cnx'ed as well. I also sold a house for a loss in San Diego <g> because I got tired of renting at a loss and ate it. For me, both good decisions. But, the prospects of staying in were not financially induced, getting out wasn't financially driven. I loved the Navy, just not where I was going to end up in it. Glad I punched, ended up flying at the 'commuters' sans regionals and bypassed pax flying for freight when I got the opportunity. Stayed in the reserves and am still helping out Uncle Sam as a squid.
This industry is cyclical, was like this before, good times will come again and then the bad..... I truly hope they are on the upswing when you retire. Teach them thar young warriors well!