Don't you have to pay the VSP back if you're going to the Reserves or ANG?

Spoken like a true KoolAid drinker. :rolleyes: All kidding aside, all the numbers manipulation the AF and Navy can do to make us think manpower is at the correct end strength will come to light here in the next couple years if not already. There are some extremely high vis issues going on in the Navy right now and I don't imagine the AF is any different.

Yes and no; there are a couple of threads full of all the details. As long as I don't retire from the reserves or voluntarily accept orders longer than 180 consecutive days, I shouldn’t have to repay a dime.

Marine Corps doesn't really care if I dropped my letter. This is now the 3rd year in a row the retention bonus for Hornet pilots dropped. (25 to 18 and now 15) They just shut down an active Hornet squadron and 3 reserve Hornet squadrons. Supposedly we are the "healthiest" group among Marine aviators. That sounds great on paper, until you look at a ready room with half the seats empty because all the O-3's and O-4's are overseas on IA's.

I'm not sure what exactly goes on up at headquarters, but the word denial seems to come to mind quite a bit lately.

I'm hearing its not because Hornets are that healthy moreso the helo guys are that thin and let's face it, they are getting the lion's share of the work these days and the most burdened. While I agree with what you're saying I personally think not buying the Superhornet is now forcing the Marine Corps hand a bit. Hard to keep legacy squadrons around when you don't have FLE left on the airframes or simply not enough airplanes to make a squadron. 8000 hours is getting close on alot of jets at one time. The only hope is that the Navy transitions sooner so the Marines can take our jets. The problem with that thinking is we don't fly D's except at the FRS and they are already a huge issue there. Hence the single seat FAC(A) program is up and running.

Even if you do retire from the reserves, you still get the TRICARE starting at age 60 (if they still have TRICARE in 30 years). I'm sure by then your SWA Profit Sharing and 401K and years of well invested Captains pay will more than make up for the income your not getting because you took the VSP.

Nevermind if you just invested the TSP now and drew on it at retirement.

Same stuff I went through 20 years ago. Man I would love to bag some traps on the old Kitty Hawk. Alas that's gone,,, or roar into the break at Miramar at just under mach. Oh that's been passed over to the marines. Well maybe one last trip in the old Tomcat. OOOPPPPSSS Nevermind.

Got out of AD back in '86 and went reserves till '95. Never looked back. Oh I've had my rough spots with Eastern Air Lines, but life on the civilian cargo side has been A-OK. Its natural to fear getting out. Its the fear of the unknown. But hey it wasn't the fear of getting shot at that drove me out but rather the fear of constant B.S. paperwork.

Good Luck to all of you in whatever path you choose.

Turkeys and Skyhawks forever.....................:cool:

BagEx? Never saw one in my entire JO tour. Sh*t Hot Break? We're limited to 350 in the break. My how times have changed.

OTOH, were I actually working a full line at my LCC and not on mil leave, I'd make around 60k as a 3rd year FO flying close to 1000 hours. Due to my (admittely self imposed) commute, I'd have 1 or possibly 2 days at home per week and spend 20+ hours per week commuting in coach in addition to my line flying. Yes, I could move, but why move for a job you hope not to keep? (I'm still saying 3 years later)

After running the numbers, and considering the active duty retirement (the biggie), tax benefits, health care, etc, I WAS making the equivilant of mid - high level captain pay while on active duty. And that's not considering the ACIP I passed up. Getting out turned out to be a pretty bad financial decision for me, at least so far. There's still hope for UPS/FDX though I suppose.....

My point? For every story like Lil J's, there's a counter story. Yes, active duty sucks, but I separated for improved quality of life and higher earning potential - I got neither.

I separted for family concerns.
While I am not making the $ I am home 220+ days a year rather than gone 220, plus I pick up an extra 30+ days a year by picking trips that layover in my home town. My quality of life revolves around being home, not the lifestyle. My mom was an AA STEWARDESS for 41 years. I grew up in the company. I grew up dreaming of the glamor. The reality is it has long gone by.
Being a pilot used to be a respected profession like doctor, or lawyer. Sadly none of these professions get respect anymore.