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Old 09-22-2012, 04:34 AM
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I'm looking at a strong possibility of being passed over for Major for the first time and I'll be deployed for the second time so I am trying to build a decent plan for getting out. On of the first things I'm trying to find out is if I can get out after getting passed over twice, though I think I will be held to the ADSC, which keeps me in to 2016. I'm looking at guard as an option, but don't know how that will affect my retirement yet.

I am also considering leaving the military completely and going to the airlines...hence this site. I have about 2000 hrs now and have my rating up through ATP. One problem I face is the possibility of being sent RPA, which has a few other repercussions other than just the lack of flying and currency. I don't know where to really start, but could use some advise.
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Old 09-22-2012, 06:02 AM
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I can understand your frustration, I was in a similar situation. I got passed over the first time (and could never find out why, had all the check boxes I needed), and after I got passed over I got PCS'd with training enroute to my next duty station. When I got to my next duty station, I was there 2-3 months before the board met. So the only way you can get promoted after being passed over once is if you get a DP the second time around, which I obviously did not get having never met the WG/CC at my new base.

So, to answer your question, if you get passed over twice you most likely will get offered continuation. If you decline continuation it wipes out any and all commitments you may have from PCS, ADSC, etc. Once you decline, you have to separate in 180 days or less. Guard or reserve is an option, but you will have to get a waiver to get in for being passed over twice, and it is up to the unit if they want to pursue that for you. Good luck, as it is a crummy situation which I ended up in too, but much happier living in civilian life where I control what I do.
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Old 09-22-2012, 06:06 AM
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Angry:

Some questions:

1. How much PIC do you have?
2. Are you getting passed-over because you got in trouble, or just hosed by the system?

The first question is whether you can get an ATP.

The second has to do with Guard/Reserve and/or airlines.

If your record is clean, being Passed-Over wouldn't be an impediment to the airlines. I have a good friend who got boned by a RIF in the early 90s---great guy, great pilot, and a good record. Due to some politics, pilots were racked in my squadron low on promotion boards because it was felt that their pilot-rating would get them promoted.

It didn't work for promotions. Still, he got on with a major carrier.

If there is something negative in your service record, it is probably a show-stopper for the Guard or Reserves.

If there is nothing negative, the Guard/Reserve is still going to ask themselves---and you---a lot of questions about "Why?"

There are Federally-mandated limits on length of service based on rank. For Major, it is 24 years, and LtCol, 28. I'm not sure about Captain, but I would guess 10 or 12. If you got passed over, and the Reserves hired you, three outcomes:

a. They hire you as a Capt, you don't get promoted, and you are forced out after a few years at the end of the limit of service.

b. You get promoted to Major and can stay until 24. Keep in mind, you have to be in the Guard/Res for at least a year to meet a promotion board (which means you might be bumping up against the service-limit for a Capt), and I'm not sure if you can meet a board if you've been passed over twice.

c. They can apply for a continuation in service exemption, but I believe they are rare.

Good luck; I hope this helps.
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Old 09-22-2012, 06:29 AM
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Captains can stay until 20 yrs, and if you go to the guard/reserve you can still get promoted to Major or beyond. I know a guy who was passed over twice for Major, went to the reserves and is now the SQ/CC.
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Old 09-22-2012, 06:41 AM
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If you are thinking airlines, try your best to at least retain the ability to serve in the guard/reserve...it can be a financial life-saver. If you haven't heard, airlines can leave you hanging out to dry.
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Old 09-22-2012, 06:50 AM
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Originally Posted by PittsDriver View Post
Captains can stay until 20 yrs, and if you go to the guard/reserve you can still get promoted to Major or beyond. I know a guy who was passed over twice for Major, went to the reserves and is now the SQ/CC.
20 years is the Title 10 max, but services can (and do) set a lower limit. Does the AF allow the max? In the Navy it's passed over x2 and then out for O-3's.
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Old 09-22-2012, 07:07 AM
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Thanks for the replies.

There's nothing wrong in my record, I finished SOS via corr only and have 36 of 36 hours of my masters completed, but I could not take the final exam for various reasons over the past year...ORI, Deployment x2. I asked for time to take the tests, but scheduling took priority. Because of that, our policy would not allow me to attend SOS, though I asked. As far as discipline, not so much as a LOC in my record. Only 2 strats top 30%, and no DP to help me out. Maybe I might get promoted, maybe not.

As far as the second board, I will not have any changes to my record other than I will have my masters completed, no SOS as I will be deployed. No Group or OSS jobs as I am not an IP, though that could possibly change.

I have 2000 hrs total time, minus other, so probably 1/3-1/2 of that primary time. I'm continuously deployed so that might actually be closer to 2600-2800 by my next board. As one of you mentioned earlier, if I'm offered that continuation, I should break 3000 by my 180 days to get out. I am also standing at 12 years service with prior enlisted time.

The policy in the past has been no waivers from our wing to go guard or reserve, though when discussing with the group exec, they said they should be able to change that for me as they only implemented that because they did not want to give the guard poor pilots.

The biggest issue I run into is with the health care. I have a family member who has been severely ill. As of now, tricare will not allow further diagnosis until next year...I found that there is a limit to military health care, especially when the diagnosis is expensive. Does the guard or reserves change the military health coverage with part time or full time?

Thank you all again for your time.
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Old 09-22-2012, 07:20 AM
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There is a Reserve Tricare system. I never joined (had another option), but most did. From what I hear, it is fantastic compared to the civilian world. Maybe $500 a year in premiums.
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Old 09-22-2012, 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by rickair7777 View Post
20 years is the Title 10 max, but services can (and do) set a lower limit. Does the AF allow the max? In the Navy it's passed over x2 and then out for O-3's.
In the AF if you get continuance, it is in 20 years. Now, should the AF start cutting back there are no guarantees. Also, if offered continuance and you decide to get out, you do not get any separation pay like you do if you are denied continuance.

Angry, best bet is to try to palace chase before meeting the second board.
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Old 09-22-2012, 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by PittsDriver View Post
In the AF if you get continuance, it is in 20 years. Now, should the AF start cutting back there are no guarantees. Also, if offered continuance and you decide to get out, you do not get any separation pay like you do if you are denied continuance.

Angry, best bet is to try to palace chase before meeting the second board.
It might be possible if my wing cooperates. I did have one job offer to become Chief of Maintenance, demotion to E-9 until a flying slot opens. Not that I'm going to take that job, but my prior enlisted time apparently made the agent offer that. I really need to get in touch with some units near big cities (good hospital services).
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