c17heavy

Trust me, having a military background will pay dividends for some companies. Companies seek out separating military officers, especially junior military officers (JMOs). For example, look at corporate recruiters like Bradley Morris or consulting firms like Bearing Point who place or hire JMOs.

Just having an engineering background like yours will get your foot in the door to a lot of companies (I have a BSEE and a masters in industrial psych). I specifically asked that question to a LM military HR manager. I asked him, "I havent programmed a line of code or worked a differential equation in 10 years...will that hurt me if I apply?" He said candidates like you or me would apply for the program mgr type positions since we have a solid engineering background and ldrshp experience.

I have a friend who separated last year from the AF after 9 years who's a prog mgr at LM making over $100K. Specifically he manages a rotary wing FMS pgm. He said his pilot background is priceless, especially when interfacing with engineering dorks who've never been in a cockpit--and if you have an engineering degree, you know they/we are dorks.

c17heavy

As an example, here's some web sites for transitioning military:

http://www.lockheedmartinjobs.com/tr..._clearance.asp

http://www.bearingpoint.com/portal/s...00de03620aRCRD

http://www.bradley-morris.com/bmi_militaryofficers.html

130drvr

Also a great resource is usajobs.gov. They have all kinds of federal jobs, including pilot jobs with customs, ART jobs in the reserves etc.

Mox Nix

Thanks a bunch Herk, I'm with you on all points. My "stay or go" dilemma wasn't ever a "stick it to the AF" kinda thing, it was more "what the **** do I do with my life now?" But even with the passover, I wasn't really torn up about it. Kinda moped about it for a day or two, and was over it quickly. I wasn't really gunning for SQ/CC or O-6 (those guys work too damn much!) so all it did was cap my paycheck...with the side benefit of letting me keep flying the line! No staff tour to deal with! So I made my last PCS to Moody last summer planning on finishing my time there.

Got the ATP a couple years ago, medical is next after I get back home. Doing the resume and gathering letters of rec and such will soon follow...read up on interview preps and perhaps schedule mock interviews too. All in an effort to be ready whenever that time comes.

And, you're right about the $$ thing...I'm in OK financial shape now, not much debt, some savings...so these next three years will help position myself a little better in that respect. So that's the plan

Mox Nix

Big thanks to everyone else who weighed in as well, I think I've come to my senses. And like I said before, I really appreciate the reality check.

I'm at the three-month point of a four-month deployment, with not much quality flying, and I think I "hit the wall" last week. But I've pushed through it, got my second wind, and I'm feeling much better now I should be able to coast pretty well for the next month until I'm back home to a normal life. Of course that "normal" life will include plenty of UCIs, ORIs, etc., etc., but such is life. Being deployed had the benefit of missing an ORE and ASEV though! ...but there's also the PT test I have to take when I get back

And it wasn't just the deployment, I've been through this same decision cycle a few times before, as I'm sure everyone else has. So like I said, the frustration level grew to a point where I was seriously considering options.

Still gotta love that "free money just for breathing everyday" thing. Looking forward to it.

In the mean time, I'll be working on getting the rest of my ducks in a row for when the time finally comes...or if it magically comes early. (18 year retirement as a force-shaping tool? I can dream can't I?)

btw that's not meant to start a rumor...Lord knows we don't need anymore of those!

Mox

1Seat 1Engine

This thread elicited a lot of responses, but I think I might have a little bit to add.

If you get out at 18, you're not necessarily giving up your AD retirement. If you really want to chase it, it's not that hard to find a Reserve job with man-days to give. Worse comes to worse, you can always raise your hand for an Al-Udied CAOC gig and knock out 4-5 months at a time.

I don't know where this 6 year reserve thing comes from. I've never heard that rule in the USAFR. If you qualify for the AD retirement, I'm pretty sure that the same gal in Denver who handles AD retirements handles Reserve AD retirments. The money all comes from the same pot and there's no difference between AD and Reserve once you have 20 years of active duty days.

Even if you've been passed over in the AD you can still make 0-5 in the reserve.

IF you can get an airline job and have a Guard/Reserve job lined up, and they are collocated or the commute is do-able, my advice would be to separate. (Always live at your military job and commute to your airline, if you get a choice).

If you don't have those lined up, then stay on AD.

My story: I got out at well over 19 years AD time, hired by SWA and a Reserve unit. If I'd waited until I had 20 years to get out, I'd be out of a job since no one is hiring now. Once my probationary year is over I can do as many man days as I want. My plan is to hold onto my reserve job until my airline job is a little more secure and my schedule a little more under control and then retire...on my terms and at a time of my choosing. If the man-days start to dry up, I could raise my hand for a single AEF and get to an AD retirement.

Dirtdiver

Just my 2 cents, but it's a no-brainer to finish 20. I'm a fellow Herk driver 8 years AD, 15 Res, retired 5 years ago. The steady check and even more important, THE MEDICAL, will make the unreliable airline industry less nerve racking. They can furlough much faster than they can hire.
It was mentioned several times already, and I concur, you need 6 years in the Guard/Reserve to retire, and it'll be exceedingly difficult to pull off the sanctuary deal.
Good luck.

sigtauenus

Don't limit yourself to Lockheed.

I've mentioned this a couple times now on this forum, but I too haven't flown in 3 years, and I have decided to go with a non-flying job that will allow me to have a level transition leaving at the 11 year point. My flying experience and what I've been doing the past 3 years got me the job, the TS/SCI got me the pay. I was upfront with the VP who hired me that I intended to make a level transition. He was a prior mil guy and knew the pay chart. I named a number (that took into account BAH, tax advantage, etc), and they gave it to me with no negotiation. I'm definitely not the greatest thing since sliced bread, I'm just a guy with a skill that can't be taught overnight, and certainly not something a young pup fresh out of school can do. Again, its not a flying job. I'll hopefully get a flying job in the reserves that will satisfy the itch to fly, but the non-flying job will pay the bills. And, to top it off, its a job that is very likely to weather out the price of oil, fluctuations in the economy, and the politics of whomever is elected during any given Nov.

I may end up hating it, who knows, but in the short term, it will pay the bills until I decide that I really want to make it a career or look for something else. It will also buy me some time to see how things shake out in the aviation field the next 3-5 years. I know the guys in the office, we get along well, I like the work, and anticipate that it will most likely be my new career. Hopefully the grass doesn't turn brown too quickly.

Slice

Unless you're still on probation, why wouldn't you do that now?