I'm totally confused... you were a Capt and got passed over twice for Maj??? Then the AF offered you severence to separate? I wished I had a good answer for you. It's the same question the VSP guys were asking as well.

I understand times are different now, but the only passed over O-3's I ever knew had DUI's and/or no SOS and/or a history of shananagns. Now days, a person won't get promoted to O-4 without a masters and SOS, and an O-5 won't get promoted without a masters and ACSC... so no masters=severance pay? (Even with the mass VSP exodus, a masters is required... as an un-written rule, of course.)
AND... I just learned of a "10 year bonus" that was offered earlier this decade... the guys telling me about it were permanent, passed-over Majors with no masters, no ACSC, and making more money that a Lt Col... with no responsibilities... sailing to retirement!!!