I bailed from the Navy after 6 years of active duty, because the airlines were just gearing up for a period of hiring. I don't regret it a bit, because I was hired toward the beginning of the hiring wave. Guys who were hired just three or four years after me were at the back of that wave, and have seen a dramatically different career than I have.

Are we now at the beginning of a wave of hiring? That's something you have to decide on your own.

FWIW, the get out/ stay in decision doesn't need to be absolute. In 1987, my priority for career path was: (1) Delta, (2) American, (3) Northwest, (4) stay in the Navy for a career. I saw a lot of guys that, once they decided to get out, were ultimately willing to take any airline job when their top choices didn't pan out. That didn't work out too well for most of them--

Good luck with your decision!