Need Advice
 

I am a KC-135 Instructor Pilot with the ANG. I have been issued a MSD (Mandatory Separation Date) of 01Jan2010 due to not being selected for promotion to LtC. I have just over 24 years of total service and will have 20 years commissioned service this December. I am 46 years old.

I am a traditional guardsman (part timer). On top of that, I am a "Guard Bum." I do not have another job. I have made a career out of bumming. I have made application to all of the major airlines. My timing could not of been any worse. I got in too late on the FedEx hiring spree years ago and I had an interview with CAL cancelled last year when the fuel prices spiked.

I have been looking into this military recall. After some information gathering here is what I have. I have accrued just over 14.5 years of points. I cannot get in under the limited recall due to my MSD. But, they will let me apply for the retired recall. They are handing out 3 year tours. I can request an extension of 1 year after being recalled. So, with the 3 year tour, I am just under 18 years of service and santuary. The 1 year extension is not guaranteed. If I were denied the extension, I could end up 50 years old without a retirement (until 60) and in search of another job. I would have over 28 years of total service (not in points).

I love instructing. If I pursue the recall I am going to ask for a UPT instructor pilot job (probably in a T-6). This would also keep me out deploying. I have considered becoming a civilian instructor, but I do not think that I can get accumilate the pay that I need to get by. I have considered a job with a regional just to keep me flying and hope for a job with a major at some point.

We are very close to having our house paid off. We have 2 children and we are very settled in to our life. My mother lives just down the street and she is 81 years old. Her health is not the best.

I dread leaving for several years and leaving my mother alone. Although, she has told me to do what I need to do, I have trouble with the idea. I also have trouble with the idea of the possibility of needing to find another job when I am 50 years old.

So, the clock is ticking and I am not really sure which avenue to take. My options are becoming more limited. I would appreciate any advice, suggestions, or ideas.

Thanks.

Have you thought of not flying? Let's be honest your options are very limited in that regard and you desire job security. Are there potential instructor positions(simulators for example) in your platform that might be available? I left active duty last August with 4 month old twins and no job to speak of. Albeit I'm much younger the severity of not being able to support a family was real. I was able to get hired with a defense contractor and a reserve flying job as well and am still doing both. I wish you the best of luck but would tell you to open up your scan volume in the employment arena and more options will emerge. Best of luck to you my friend.

Tough call, but I don't see any civilian flying opportunities that will provide the pay and bennies you are accustomed to...not in this economy. I would probably try for the AD recall...maybe you can get something in CONUS and relocate Mom.

If you can't get that extra year on AD, hopefully the civilian outlook will be better by then. If you can make it to 18 AD, then you are in much better shape obviously.

I think that the retired recall offers the greatest benefit, but at the highest (personal) cost. You could save a lot of money, so even if you were not extended into sanctuary, it would give you a financial cushion until you found something else. Hopefully, there will be some airline jobs in 3-4 years, and you will be in a decent position to find something.

Another option may be some sort of contract (DOD etc) flying job. They each have some pluses and minuses, but they all pay well. Examples are Predator stuff, flying for Xe (formerly Blackwater), and others. May involve some risk taking.

Good luck and stay safe.

When you say 14.5 years of points do you mean active duty? Are you trying to get 20 years active duty for an active duty retirement?

To me this is a no brainer. Go active duty. First, it's a good paying job. Second,it keeps you current for when the airlines do start hiring. Third, you have a high probability of getting a AD retirement.

I'm not an expert in this area, but my understanding is; if you get within 2 years they must let you finish. With the recall program this may not apply, so I would check it out. As for getting the 1 year extension to make it happen; I can almost guarantee your commander will push to make it happen. Commanders are human and will do everything in their power to help a guy out, especially one in your possition. I once saw a commander go to bat for a guy with 5 DUI's to get him to the 18 year point so he could retire.

I know it's been said before, but in the world we currently live, an AD retirement is worth a lot in peace of mind.

Also check this out it may be true; there was a new rule passed which says you reduce the year you start a guard retirement by 1 year for every year on AD orders. Maybe the three years of AD would reduce your guard retirement down to age 57. This recall program is new and I don't think they have thought through all the possible options so the above may not apply, but worth looking into.

Something else to add. I know a guy doing the recall to get a preditor. He thinks there will be a lot of contractor jobs in this area in the future. If one were worried about future employment, this might be a good path.

My old CC was in sort of the same situation. Furloughed and forced out due to over 30 years in service within the same year. He picked up a T-6 Sim IP in the same state where he lives. He'll have to commute tho.

I would think Flight Safety would have to hire to cover all the 3 eng sims we will now have to accomplish. If they are co located or reasonably close that might work.

If you do the retired recall, and get the T-6, then get denied the one year extension to get to sanctuary, you would then be able to get all your CFI credentials under the new soon (we hope) change to the FARs and you could be in a position for a job at Doss doing the IFS program, I hear they pay fairly well for single engine CFIs. Surely you won't be denied the one year extension when the time comes and surely the economy will have to turn, the age 65 bubble will be behind us and the hiring would have resumed, but most of all, I hope you get over the wall for the full AD retirement.

I also agree with the future beliefs in contractor jobs for UAVs. I think Customs, Border Patrol and DEA will very soon have fleets of these things and GS-12+ equivalent level pay.

Financial Security
 

Boofer:

I am considering the same, although I'm an O-5. I do have an airline job, but O-5 pay beats legacy carrier pay when you are 300 names above the bottom of the seniority list (soon to be 150).

I will benefit from the retirement aspect: I have 27 years and 7300+ points, but it will push me across the sanctuary to get an active-duty retirement.

Whether you get that or not, full-time pay as a senior O-4 is worth at least $90k a year; maybe as much as $100k. If you include the medical benefit (which would cost at least $4000 (yes, four thousand) a month in the civilian world) and your three-year tour is worth at least $360k. That's a very secure $360k in an unstable economy.

Keep in mind: they can deploy anyone. I'm sure if I am picked-up for this, even in the T-38, I will spend at least 6 months (if not a year) on a deployment somewhere.