Gundriver64

If anything, while pursuing the Major gig, is join some Reserve unit. Even getting to 20 to qualify for a reserve retirement (20 year letter) it will be worth it. Sixteen years AD is a lot of retirement points with respect to a reserve retirement paycheck.

Cheers,
G

rickair7777

Yes, whether flying or not.

DustoffVT

They will tell you three years. Historically that's been an underestimation, lately people have been getting moves around that time. But except to only be able to move within SW & SE regions. Northern border door is closed and locked (unless you can stomach HQ).

hydrostream

I'll bet you a beer that if you get on with a regional you'll spend less than 6 months on the line before getting a phone call from a major.

jpmizzou

I appreciate all the feedback. I know separating at the 15-16 year mark sounds crazy to some. Not doing what I want in life for another 4-6 years sounds crazy too. I still love the Navy, but would rather play part-time and enjoy it more.

My wife fortunately has watched me go through two flying tours and now two non-flying tours. She tells me I’m a miserable bloke when I’m not flying and is actually excited for me to get out. Fortunately, she has a great career in medical sales that can support the transition and a stint at the regionals. Getting stability of location in the near-term for her career is part of the motivation to jump as well.

I’m honestly just trying to make sure I’ve thought the various paths through so we can make the most informed decision together and plan accordingly. I’ve got some researching to do regarding AF Reserves/Guard, not sure how hard it is to affiliate to a squadron as an 0-5 from another service, but I imagine it wouldn’t be terribly difficult to go to a non-flying UNSR gig.

Here’s to me hoping I’ll be owing Hydrostream that beer in another couple of years.

Blackhawk

Also look at the Army Guard/Reserve. You will probably have to revert to WO, but you stay in the cockpit. I reverted from O-4 to CW2 and had no regrets. Downside is that it would probably be RW flying which would do nothing to help toward a goal of flying for an airline. But you would fly. I enjoyed it because I had the best of both worlds, RW and FW flying.
If you want to fly and you want to fly for the airlines then anything other than a 121 gig or possibly an Air Force Guard/Res gig is going sideways. Even an Air Force gig would probably take you away from the goal of a legacy/LCC (if that is your goal) linger than a 121 regional gig.
Like I wrote earlier, the RTAG Nation FB Page has many RW pilots, Army, Navy/Marine and Air Force who have been in your position.

Blackhawk

I almost forgot. It may be too late for you to swing it, but there is an RTAG convention in 12 October at Ft Rucker, AL.
Registration is free.
It will be attended by all the regionals, most of the major RW operators, Frontier, SouthWest, United and Guard/Reserve reps. Probably more that I have no mentioned.
Registration is free.
If you’re thinking about the transition and can get a suit/resume together and make it might be worth while.
https://events.rotarytoairlinegroup.org/web/event?eventid=2138740143

Av8tor0773

I have to agree. 4 years and your golden... if you said 10, 12 maybe, I'd say ok, go to the Guard, but 16 years - do the 4 more and collect that retirement.

You really need to do some serious number crunching. What state do you live in? Do you have any disability coming? These things matter. In Texas there are crazy benefits for retirees.

What would happen if you lost your medical and couldn't fly - you'd be missing out on $4K+ a month.

I would REALLY think long and hard about this. As an 06 about to retire (12 months), I just couldn't imagine leaving all that money on the table until I'm 60. Also, if you go into the Guard or the USAR, you will NOT be able to get on any AD orders - you will be prohibited from coming on an order that could bring you into sanctuary. So PLEASE think this over - I think it is a really bad idea for you!

rickair7777

Absolutely true re. sanctuary for the Navy. But guard had historically been a lot more tolerant of sanctuary seekers. Is this a recent change? I know several guard people who got a regular retirement in the last decade. Not sure about USAFR.

In years past (and probably years future) I would have said absolutely stay for the 20. But right now there's a tremendous potential opportunity if you get a number assp. There's risk but worst case probably means working a 9-5 job and collecting your retirement at 60, not living in a van down by the river.

It's a different world today, you and I lived a lot of hard years and frankly tend to afford the mil compensation more credit than it's really due.

But everybody has to make their own call vis a via risk tolerance. Few people actually NEED top tier airline compensation, so it comes down to security vs. greed. Although QOL is also a big legit consideration and seniority drives that too.

Gundriver64

The USAR will bring guys on knowing they'll be eligible for Sanctuary if they need the shoes filled bad enough. Almost always it revolves around a deployment and a critical, but short-handed skill.