When/why is it not worth getting out early?
12-28-2018, 05:05 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Petting Zoo
Posts: 2,074
Tough call man. I was in a similar boat about 10 years ago, but it was pre the hiring boom and I had no idea what I wanted to do when (if?) I grew up. Staying to 20 was a no brainer for me. But different times.
I recommend you talk to closest reserve unit and checking your options. I seem to recall complications in getting picked up as a passed over dude. Again, different times now.
If reserves are an option, you got a spreadsheet to build and some tough conversations to have with the wife.
FWIW, I stayed in and my last assignment was by far my best. I didn't want to retire as an O4. But being a terminal O4 added some fun to those last few years.
Hard to give up that active duty pension. And the health care is pretty nice.
Good luck
I recommend you talk to closest reserve unit and checking your options. I seem to recall complications in getting picked up as a passed over dude. Again, different times now.
If reserves are an option, you got a spreadsheet to build and some tough conversations to have with the wife.
FWIW, I stayed in and my last assignment was by far my best. I didn't want to retire as an O4. But being a terminal O4 added some fun to those last few years.
Hard to give up that active duty pension. And the health care is pretty nice.
Good luck
12-28-2018, 06:18 PM
#13
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Posts: 18
Originally Posted by Wheelsoff
I’m a former C-17 guy currently at UPT. If you have questions about it, let me know.
BLUF: it’s way better in AETC. I won’t be going back to AMC unless something terrible happens that forces me to.
Good luck!
BLUF: it’s way better in AETC. I won’t be going back to AMC unless something terrible happens that forces me to.
Good luck!
I taught UPT before this assignment. Was pretty burnt out after 2.5 years. But I tell the young'uns how it really can be a blessing in disguise if you can leverage the groundhog effect. Most days I'm wondering why I didn't find a way to make it better and stay two assignments (i.e., swap airframes).
12-29-2018, 06:07 AM
#14
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2013
Posts: 71
Originally Posted by tangowhsky
I taught UPT before this assignment. Was pretty burnt out after 2.5 years. But I tell the young'uns how it really can be a blessing in disguise if you can leverage the groundhog effect. Most days I'm wondering why I didn't find a way to make it better and stay two assignments (i.e., swap airframes).
12-29-2018, 07:06 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,898
Originally Posted by tangowhsky
After my current assignment ends i'll be at 17 years and able to leave and a passed over major. I had the inclination to stay until 20...but is it still worth it now.
Unfortunately, thinking 20 years and 0-5 was going to happen, I never really began educating myself on all the other possibilities. e.g., joinging the guard/reserves. I just figured i'd do my 20 followed by the second career with the airlines.
Momma is worried of my now thinking getting out soonest to get that line number is preferential, but I haven't done the proper research to know for sure yet...or even where to begin. I'm unsure on the whole process and don't even know things like; if I get out at 17 years, then get on full time with guard/reserves to get to my "20", do I still have to wait until age 60 for the check of the month?
I don't dislike what i'm doing or would be doing those last few years...i'm flying...is good! But could use some words of wisdom, lessons learned, pros and cons, etc. of considerations. Thanks all!
Unfortunately, thinking 20 years and 0-5 was going to happen, I never really began educating myself on all the other possibilities. e.g., joinging the guard/reserves. I just figured i'd do my 20 followed by the second career with the airlines.
Momma is worried of my now thinking getting out soonest to get that line number is preferential, but I haven't done the proper research to know for sure yet...or even where to begin. I'm unsure on the whole process and don't even know things like; if I get out at 17 years, then get on full time with guard/reserves to get to my "20", do I still have to wait until age 60 for the check of the month?
I don't dislike what i'm doing or would be doing those last few years...i'm flying...is good! But could use some words of wisdom, lessons learned, pros and cons, etc. of considerations. Thanks all!
Going to the airlines 3 years early at the 17 year mark will earn you approximately $750k-$1.05mil for the last three years of your airline career depending on if you retire as a Narrow Body Captain or Widebody Captain.
Waiting three years and collecting O-4 (ret) pay will earn you approximately $969k-1.11mil between retirement and age 65 (depending on if you’re retiring at 42 or 45yrs old).
Math checks out that you’re probably financially better off staying in and going for the pension at that point. Live longer than age 65 and you earn far more by staying for 20 over your life time.
12-29-2018, 07:11 AM
#16
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,281
Historical CW would be stay for 20 (and I've told people that in no uncertain terms in years past). However...
At this exact moment in time (due to airline retirement demographics) that would probably cost you a great deal in terms of seniority and ultimate compensation.
Odds are decent that you could bail now, lock in airline seniority, and then participate in guard/reserves to either qualify for a regular AD retirement, or as a consolation prize the reserve retirement at age 60.
It comes down to risk tolerance and how hard you want to chase the best possible airline deal. Upside is having your cake and eating it too. Downside is risk of economic issues, or worst-case medical issues and possibly ending up unable to fly or participate in the reserves to finish the retirement.
At this exact moment in time (due to airline retirement demographics) that would probably cost you a great deal in terms of seniority and ultimate compensation.
Odds are decent that you could bail now, lock in airline seniority, and then participate in guard/reserves to either qualify for a regular AD retirement, or as a consolation prize the reserve retirement at age 60.
It comes down to risk tolerance and how hard you want to chase the best possible airline deal. Upside is having your cake and eating it too. Downside is risk of economic issues, or worst-case medical issues and possibly ending up unable to fly or participate in the reserves to finish the retirement.
12-29-2018, 09:13 AM
#17
On Reserve
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 13
Dude, stay in and min run that ****. Fly, make a difference by helping the USAF be better but don't give 2 f-cks's about the qweep and BS unless it adds to the mission, saves a life or helps someone in genuine need.
I'd be a the gym each day, out of the office by 1630 or earlier, chaffing off BS, using leave whenever I please and voicing my real opinion without fear of repercussion.
Other than the few bucks you are missing on O-5 pay, you are on the home stretch man to a guaranteed pension and healthcare for life and no reason to play the game.
Stick it out.
I'd be a the gym each day, out of the office by 1630 or earlier, chaffing off BS, using leave whenever I please and voicing my real opinion without fear of repercussion.
Other than the few bucks you are missing on O-5 pay, you are on the home stretch man to a guaranteed pension and healthcare for life and no reason to play the game.
Stick it out.
12-29-2018, 11:19 AM
#19
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Posts: 18
Originally Posted by di1630
...you are on the home stretch man to a guaranteed pension and healthcare for life and no reason to play the game.
Stick it out.
Stick it out.
12-29-2018, 07:51 PM
#20
Perennial Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 11,503
Originally Posted by tangowhsky
I'm seeing it this way more and more. I suppose i've been working off of the ole 5 stages of grief about the passed over bit...just hard when we all know we have earned it, and barely miss the cutoff.
https://militarypay.defense.gov/calc...ay-calculator/
The advantage to finding a way to stay to twenty is both the healthcare and the certainty that the pension will be there, even if you become medically disqualified tomorrow. That's not a clincher necessarily but it is a factor to consider.
And three more years, by the time you count terminal leave and everything, heck you could be interviewing in a little under two and a half years.
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