Duke, (and others in similar situations...)

I voted myself out in 2001/2002 at the 14 year point. It was guts ball, but here is the hows/whys for me....

1. I didn't want to move again. I stayed. My house is now worth about 200-300k more than when I bought it. My kids have friends and a social network. I've involved in several church committees, and my wife is president of a local political chapter. We don't just live here--we have finally become "part" of the community.

2. I have 5 years seniority at Fedex. Being junior was a drag--but it got better quick. I have friends who have made 150-160k/year close to my seniority. I dont' chase the dollars, but my schedule now is pretty darn comfy. I drop/trade trips frequently to meet my own personal needs--all without taking leave, begging a schedulers, or consulting an Ops officer or flight commander.

3. I have a business I completely enjoy. What is YOUR passion? Are you business oriented at all? Are there other interests besides making money you'd love to dive into, like going back to school or pursuing a lifelong goal? Not being active duty let me branch into other interests in my life. Besides FLYING--what excites you as a business or a hobby?

4. I joined the ANG. I am past 19 years now. With all the points I've gotten, my pay at 60 will be just under 3k a month in todays dollars. So--but bailing now...I passed up about 18 years worth of active duty retirement. At 60--I'm back "on step", although the payment will still be a bit less than a guy who stayed active 20.

What did I give up....

about 2-3k a month for the rest of my life. Also--Tricare.

Here's what I got...

I don't walk around with knots in my stomach waiting for the next 90/120/180/360 day non-flying TDY to the Middle East.

I can take days off for family functions about anytime (some trip trading gets tough on Christmas/holidays but otherwise easy...) whenever I need.

I have friends and business associates outside the military now too...

I have a lot more money than most of my active duty contemporaries. Money ain't everything--but that is the REWARD part of the risk/reward tradeoff of getting out.

I can jumpseat about anywhere in the world when I want to go somewhere. I've fished in Alaska, gone to Montana and Idaho on trips, been to LA and Dallas on business...all as a "perk" for working in a job I LOVE.

I have rekindled an old flame--general aviation--and although many "real" fighter pilots wouldn't understand I enjoy flying my Rangemaster on a pretty fall day with my kids more than gunning a bro with an Eagle. Perhaps its my age--at 28 my priorities were different--but now its about sharing what I love with the people I love, not being the squadron Top Gun.

So--in summary--there is some SWEET GREEN GRASS over here....if you are confident enough to go for it and you have a backup plan. I probably wouldn't have bailed without the ANG job, and post 9/11 I would have been stop lossed without it anyway. However--knowing that if things got "hot" anywhere I would be A) serving my country and B) likely getting paid enough doing A to feed my family, I felt like the risk was well worth the reward. I cannot adequately express how happy I am with my choice--but everyone has to make their own.

I wish all of you guys the very best on your own journeys. If you need a pep talk or a sounding board...PM me or email via the website.

Tailwinds...