I just finished T-38 PIT a couple months ago, there were several guys right out of school going to teach in AETC, if that is something that is of interest to keep flying.

Retire from a flying position--AND be current
 

Looking through the responses, I don't think you have gotten a "concrete" answer to your "recency of experience" question.

Recency of experience is vital to getting hired. I went to what is now known as IDE and SDE and had command jobs etc., but I made sure that I was in a flying assignment when I retired. I have had guys working for me, that were ACTIVELY flying, during an airline hiring boom, not get interviewed (by major/legacy/SWA etc) because they had less than 200 hours of time in KC-10s that year. They would have been interviewed by regionals however. None of these guys are in the flying business these days. By the same token, I've had guys interview that were in staff jobs, but were doing flight instruction on the side, etc get called/interviewed --the difference was it was 4 years earlier, and the industry was starving for pilots.

Also, I have been on the hiring board at my old airline after I retired. We considered recency of experience as one of the largest determining factors. We did not bring people in for interviews that were not currently flying turboprops or jets. That included military guys doing staff jobs---we didn't bring them in.

Bottom Line: Recency is vital, but it depends on the hiring "climate".

If you want to stay in the AF, make sure that you are retiring from a flying position and that you are current and qualified. You can do that if you get back to flying after your desk job.

You may still get hired if retiring desk job, but the probability of hire by a reputable flying company goes WAAAYYYY Down!!!! By contrast, with your background, retiring from a flying billet will almost ensure MULTIPLE interviews (if the industry is hiring).

Bottom Line 2: (Foot Stomp) RETIRE FROM A FLYING POSITION, AND BE CURRENT AND QUALIFIED.

Sorry, I didn't see this question before I wrote the lengthy, repetitive post above.

The short answer to the question above is NO.
The long answer: If you don't fly at all for 4 years, your background will not get you noticed/picked up by a civilian employer. You need to be current or at least current within 6 months and have at least a couple of hundred hours of turboprop or jet time per year.

But something that is at least as important as recency, is having a network of guys you have flown with---wiling to vouch for you at their companies.

These items (with your background) will get you interviewed at companies who are hiring. (at least the probability is very high)

Hmm, this is depressing as hell. I had a similar thread a few months back. I have about 5k hours in the 17 and 37. I'm looking at a job where I'd be flying day VFR, single engine trainer, as my fini assignment. Most guidance I had was that it wouldn't matter. I take it you feel otherwise?

If it's a military assignment, I don't think it will matter to companies. In other words, I think most of them would consider you as current and recent for an interview. The key is that you have lots of other experience AND you are still flying for the military. IF the single engine trainer were your only mil experience, that may be detrimental but you've flown the 17 and 37 as well.

The problems that people were having when leaving the military that I've seen were: 1. Guys that were in non flying staff jobs and were instructing or flying small aircraft outside the military OR 2. they were in flying jobs, but they had very little flight hours for the last several years. Most guys actively flying in a unit were called (for the most part).

EMK

A few thought from a guy who just retired 30 June, 2009. I did 20 years, 6 months, 12 days in the USMC. Loved the Marine Corps and loved the flying.

First. Sounds like you have a great civilian flying gig lined up. Be careful. I had a great gig lined up. I went through training, flew a couple of trips, and was loving the work. Then a new CEO arrived. I was out of work in his cost cutting sweep.

Second. The market is flooded with overqualified pilots applying for jobs. In short – it is ugly out here.

I would look hard for a flying job to do in the Air Force. Another idea is to pursue the USAF option of Retire / Reserve to have a backup. I wish the USN / USMC had that option available.

Good Luck

Bayou

You'll be the highest paid CFI in the world, guaranteed. Enjoy Pueblo!

Better than that brother, I'd be in the Springs.

Believe me I know how good a deal it is.

I think the best way to do it is stay in the AF as you obviously still enjoy it, and start working on the reserve/guard connection NOW instead of 4 years down the road. All it takes is for one unit to hire you and its bye bye recency issues :D