Originally Posted by
Chinabug
NCR757,
I'm an "old" USN MIL pilot (about to retire at 20) and my initial commitment was 8yrs after wings... Unless a new program in the USAF has come up, I don't know of any commissioning source that both guarantees flight school with only a 6yr commitment? Best case, an 8yr commitment will buy you 10yrs of MIL service. I'd be leary of the recruiter if your intent is to serve only 6yrs. If not, It's a great adventure with amazing experiences both in and out of the c/p. I considered bailing for the airlines in 2001...glad I didn't on every front.
Walking into the airlines with a 20yr pension makes things (ie - FO pay) much more palatable. Most MIL guys I know that bailed at 10-12 yr point are working 20+ days month doing airlines and reserve to keep their QOL.
USAF bubbas, anything different on your side?
Good luck.
Pretty similar to the USAF, except I believe they went to a 10 year commitment at some point. It may have gone back down to 8 years. A search of threads in the mil section on APC will give you the answer for those who want to know.
The old adage is don't think you're going to fight the next war like the last one was fought. I'd say the same logic could apply to going to the airlines. The reason I say that is because when I was a 2Lt in the AF I saw pilots getting out and going to the airlines in '90 and in the end things appear to have worked out pretty well for them. Flash forward to '99/'00 and the guys who got out didn't fare quite so well. So if you ask guys like me and Chinabug we'll say our experience was that staying in for 20 was well worth it: we have a guaranteed retirement check coming in every month and tricare. Both make the transition to the airlines much easier, and if a furlough comes down the pike we're better prepared to deal with it. However, if payrates go up and the military situation changes (much can happen in 10 to 20 years) then this model may no longer hold true. So take in the info, but realize the only certainty is change. My $0.02.