Thank you shackone... If I didn't already have enough on my plate, you throw that little pearl into the mix.

Put yourself in my shoes for a second. The air force is paying people to get out so that it can reduce both the number of commissioned officer paychecks and the burden of retirement paychecks for the next 50+ years.

I happen to be in one of the year group/MWS combinations that they want to reduce by about 5%. Bonus: I also happen to be in the year group that is facing their major promotion board in six weeks. (Sept 11th, if you can appreciate the irony).

So, my dilemma. For me, the bonus is an incentive to get out early. For some others, it is a generous windfall for being at the right place, right time because they were getting out anyways. Before the bonus was offered, I would be staying longer, possibly to retirement. Even if I got out at the end of this assignment, I would still extend as long as I could.

As soon as I apply, my military career is done as I will most certainly get passed over for major for submitting my application.

If I don't submit my paperwork, I think I am a shoe in for major. We don't get to see our PRFs for 2 more weeks, but I'm confident that I will make it.

Either way, somebody is getting $100K to get out. Would you rather it be someone like me, who served well, went to school, was flying over Iraq during the launch of "shock and awe", led flights and shops to outstanding and excellent ratings during inspections, a quarterly award winner, and has a series of #1 out of xx stratifications on my OPRs?

Or would you rather give a $100K parting gift of taxpayer money to someone who was getting out anyway, has a history of tactical DNIFs, didn't go to school, sucked at any job they were given, and weren't even considered to be a flight commander?

Oh, and then, what do I do after I separate?

I apologize if my 8+ years of service is an embarrassment to you. I figured my awards and medals were evidence of a job well done.