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When/why is it not worth getting out early?

Old 12-27-2018, 12:17 PM
  #1  
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Default When/why is it not worth getting out early?

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!
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Old 12-27-2018, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by tangowhsky View Post
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!

Guard and Reserve retirements generally require monetary benefits to start at age 60:

https://ec.militarytimes.com/guard-r...t/basic-plans/

You might want to look in to the career intermission program:

Career Intermission Program

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/D...-18-114030-977
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Old 12-27-2018, 04:05 PM
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Accumulate 3 more years of qualifying active duty with the guard/reserve and draw an active duty retirement just like you would otherwise. Whatever you choose to do.....do NOT throw away 17 years!
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Old 12-27-2018, 04:45 PM
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Default Leaving

I’m having a hard time pondering the 13 year mark and leaving. 17 years would be a no brained to stay. Have you contemplated being a 2 time SELCON?
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Old 12-27-2018, 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by You might want to look in to the career intermission program:

[url
https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/military/117576-career-intermission-program.html[/url]

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/D...-18-114030-977
I remember this coming out from the afpc bot, and thinking that's neat and all...but I won't need to bother with that. Thanks for pointing me over to it to throw into the "exit strategy book of knowledge."

I was sure the several guys I knew from previous assignment, who were passed over, traded patches one day, were put on full time orders and are about to finish what I assumed would be the remainder of their time for the active duty retirement. I just never asked if that's what was actually being done or possible.
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Old 12-28-2018, 05:37 AM
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I’d be very careful about trying the career intermission program. Some others on here have said they intend to try it, but I don’t trust the AF as far as I can throw a rock, so it’s a “hard no” for me. Make sure you fully understand the program/rules/regs thoroughly beforehand.

I do think it’s a valuable program for some, but I don’t believe the intent of it was for people to take a break to gain employment somewhere, then try to hide behind USERRA when they are forced to return to active duty for X years. Could be wrong, but I don’t think that will go over too well with your respective airline employer. I know for myself personally, I wouldn’t risk it as it seems foolish.

As others have said, the “safest” (and easiest) option is probably to find a guard/reserve unit, get on full time orders or an AGR slot to make it to 20.
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Old 12-28-2018, 06:49 AM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by tangowhsky View Post
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.
Finish to 20, certainly simplified without Guard/Reserve in the mix and can focus only on where you want to live and civilian flying job that may enhance the package called quality of life.
Kids? ages? family issues? (Aging parents, family wants to move to XYZ? or are they open to ABC?, DEF?

How much longer on current assignment? Then what possible/most likely follow on orders? Flying orders best. What might be your currency when hit 20?
What are you flying now?

Can you get to your final airline job right out of this tour (Where are peers getting hired?)
Then you need to look at ANG/Reserve unit arrangements to fit airline mix. Airline domicile locations with unit locations. Which airline/Guard/Reserve combination determines where you live and commuting pain priorities.

Airline and Reserve combination is a significant life commitment and family pays for your dual status as service member and airline employee. Extraordinary to have family survive a dual commute. I lived in airline domicile through 2 airlines and chose to commute to the military reserve duty. In my circumstance that provided more opportunity to be with family. Others determine to live in Guard/Reserve location as that works better.

Economics: Have you saved up for the move after this tour ends? Go to a regional, then grab Guard/reserve duty location, then move to final airline job?

Its easy to throw dart and stay 20 and then focus on fewer variables, but throwing in the considerations above is very individual to you and your family. The answers will certainly help you determine best choices and best fit going forward.
Definitely look at the details of how your life will look if leave before 20/after 20. This is only a very rough cut of considerations.
Best in your adventure and journey!
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Old 12-28-2018, 07:59 AM
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I’ll caveat my previous post with what saltydog said above - the “easiest” option would be to ride it out to 20 on AD, followed by the guard/reserve option. Fewer life variables that way, as mentioned.

For me, I plan on getting out at my commitment (won’t have 17 years by then anyways) so my life situation is different.
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Old 12-28-2018, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by SaltyDog View Post
Finish to 20, certainly simplified without Guard/Reserve in the mix and can focus only on where you want to live and civilian flying job that may enhance the package called quality of life.
Kids? ages? family issues? (Aging parents, family wants to move to XYZ? or are they open to ABC?, DEF?

How much longer on current assignment? Then what possible/most likely follow on orders? Flying orders best. What might be your currency when hit 20?
What are you flying now?

Can you get to your final airline job right out of this tour (Where are peers getting hired?)
Then you need to look at ANG/Reserve unit arrangements to fit airline mix. Airline domicile locations with unit locations. Which airline/Guard/Reserve combination determines where you live and commuting pain priorities.

Airline and Reserve combination is a significant life commitment and family pays for your dual status as service member and airline employee. Extraordinary to have family survive a dual commute. I lived in airline domicile through 2 airlines and chose to commute to the military reserve duty. In my circumstance that provided more opportunity to be with family. Others determine to live in Guard/Reserve location as that works better.

Economics: Have you saved up for the move after this tour ends? Go to a regional, then grab Guard/reserve duty location, then move to final airline job?

Its easy to throw dart and stay 20 and then focus on fewer variables, but throwing in the considerations above is very individual to you and your family. The answers will certainly help you determine best choices and best fit going forward.
Definitely look at the details of how your life will look if leave before 20/after 20. This is only a very rough cut of considerations.
Best in your adventure and journey!
I appreciate the info you caged my mind to ponder/discuss SaltyDog. That certainly makes it sound like staying in is undoubtedly simpler. Several folks I previously worked with sure made it look easy at face value, but since I never sat down with them to ask these kind of questions, I really have no idea how it was really going.

After reading up on posts about that CIP program, it does seem like that might be something i'd rather not chance...plus i don't want to owe any more years than I have to.

I'm a C-17 bubba with a little over 2 years left on current assignment. As long as the health holds up, currency should not be an issue once done. And actually for QoL on the last assignment, back to UPT or PIT are leading that race.

Fellas, thanks for some good points to ponder.
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Old 12-28-2018, 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by tangowhsky View Post
I appreciate the info you caged my mind to ponder/discuss SaltyDog. That certainly makes it sound like staying in is undoubtedly simpler. Several folks I previously worked with sure made it look easy at face value, but since I never sat down with them to ask these kind of questions, I really have no idea how it was really going.

After reading up on posts about that CIP program, it does seem like that might be something i'd rather not chance...plus i don't want to owe any more years than I have to.

I'm a C-17 bubba with a little over 2 years left on current assignment. As long as the health holds up, currency should not be an issue once done. And actually for QoL on the last assignment, back to UPT or PIT are leading that race.

Fellas, thanks for some good points to ponder.
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!
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