Military and Recency of Experience
 

Lori/All,

I am active duty AF and can retire in 3 years. I will be able to stay actively flying until I retire. I also have a good shot of getting promoted and staying in the AF past 20 but I am sure I will find myself in a staff job. Because of how things work, I have to make a decision pretty soon and start heading down the appropriate path. Not knowing what the hiring situation will be like in 3 years, I am tempted to try and stay in but I fear that when I do finally retire, I won't be actively flying. I intend to stay involved in general aviation and have about 4,000 hrs jet time in the AF but I don't know if that will get me anywhere if I retire off the staff.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Surprised you haven't had any responses yet, fly4unclesam. I'm in your exact situation. Could retire in April 2010 as a 20 yr O-4 current or accept a promotion to O-5 and retire at 22 or 23 YOS. Given the current hiring situation, I have elected to stay in and get the extra retirement, however, I will be going to a non-flying staff job and am very concerned about my currency. As a military aviator I have the accumulated more than the mins, so will "puttering" around in a 172, etc on the weekends qualify me as "current" for hiring purposes? Obviously, nobody knows for sure, I suppose... I'll let you know how it worked out for me in 3 yrs!

For an out-of-the-cockpit military guy with 20 years experience, doing some bare-minimum GA to retain FR, LDG, and IFR currency should allow you to be eligible for some interviews. Most employers understand the nature of military duty and give you credit for the experience you have accumulated.

That said, someone with similar experience who is currently flying turbine aircraft will have at least some competitive advantage. Also some employers will require X number of hours in the last 6-12 months...could be a little expensive if you have to buy 100 hours in a cessna.

Take advantage of FAA giving Military Competency for a CFI/II and have others pay for your currency at an FBO or Aero Club.