I feel your pain and stand by you and the rest...I'm in the same boat...Who would have thought with a global war on terror the USAF would be looking to RIF 4,000 CGOs??? Well they are - only a few career fields are exempt (pilots / navs / special forces officers...) those commissioned in 02 / 03 are meeting a retention board that will decide our future. I was enlisted for eight and one-half years before earning a commission. I'm now looking at being forced out of the AF without any benefits or retirement after 12 years of service. When the board meets next year I'll have 13 years service (one year short of 14 - had I been 14 or more years active duty I would have been exempt). I'll have only what I was able to put aside and my education...I've got resumes ready to go and will be looking for contract jobs in Iraq / Afghanistan to make up for the $$$ I stand to lose from not being able to retire. Fortunately, my wife is able to earn good $$$ as a software engineer - we can make ends meet until I get a job and start building towards a retirement...

Nothing is set in stone - but the prospects for my year group and career field are not good. We are overmanned by 30% and the AF must "thin the herd" to buy their new F-22s and JSF...

In light of all this I couldn't be more excited about the future... I'm looking forward to the change / challenge this new chapter of my life could offer me...For me, the uncertainty of life is extremely exciting/intoxicating...My senses are sharper and I know with gods blessings, support / love from my wife and daughter I'll be able to get thru the next few months - what ever the AF decides I'm confident I'll make the most of the opportunities as they present themselves...

I apologize for the speech...I needed to say / write something to get this off my mind...

V/r,
LA