Boofer:

I am considering the same, although I'm an O-5. I do have an airline job, but O-5 pay beats legacy carrier pay when you are 300 names above the bottom of the seniority list (soon to be 150).

I will benefit from the retirement aspect: I have 27 years and 7300+ points, but it will push me across the sanctuary to get an active-duty retirement.

Whether you get that or not, full-time pay as a senior O-4 is worth at least $90k a year; maybe as much as $100k. If you include the medical benefit (which would cost at least $4000 (yes, four thousand) a month in the civilian world) and your three-year tour is worth at least $360k. That's a very secure $360k in an unstable economy.

Keep in mind: they can deploy anyone. I'm sure if I am picked-up for this, even in the T-38, I will spend at least 6 months (if not a year) on a deployment somewhere.