Mox -
AD AF for 11 years, bailed in 2001 and was lucky enough to get on with FedEx. Been in the ANG since then, and am at my 18 year point. Here's my two cents...
In order to get the remaining 2 years of AD that you'll need for your retirement, you are going to have to spend a significant amount of time at destinations "East", as well as share any and all available trips with other Guard/Reserve Bums that might be trying to make a living in the same manner. Unless you are lucky enough to get into a unit that will put you on orders for 2 years straight, it will probably take you closer to 4 or 5 years to finish this AD retirement up. Trust me when I say that juggling multiple aircraft, systems, checkrides, training requirements and such gets VERY OLD. If you are unfortunate enough to have to double commute to an airline job and ANG/Reserve job, this will add a whole new level of stress to the above mentioned issues.
I am happy with the decision that I made, and was lucky that I made it when I did...but I would sure like to have had that little extra $ rolling in every month from a completed military retirement. As much as you might feel like "sticking it to the AF" by leaving early, I would urge you to seriously consider staying in and securing this retirement instead. When your time is up, you will still be young enough to get a flying job outside of the military and you will soon see that having that little extra bit of money in your pocket will go a long way in easing some of the stress that looking for a new job and starting another career WILL bring.
Getting passed over hurts...some of my very good friends on AD were passed over for LtCol, and these were guys who I would have bet my life on that they would be selected for promotion. Easy for me to say here, but:
Don't let it eat you up inside.
Get angry, then get over it.
Keep flying.
BE SAFE!
Do your job, but don't come in early or stay late anymore. Sombody else can be the POC for the CFC now, if you get my drift.
Use your newly found free time to get your ducks in a row for when you do retire (resume, ATP, medical, letters of rec., etc).
Start saving NOW so that the first year you are out won't be as traumatic.
Start saving NOW so that the first year you are out won't be as traumatic.
Start saving NOW so that the first year you are out won't be as traumatic.
(Get the picture? 20-25K might be a reasonable goal.)
Best of luck with your final decision, Mox. Take care and Fly Safe.
HerkDriver
P.S. Shoot me a quick PM when you get a chance. Mox Nix...ever stationed in Germany?