Bail at 17 Years Active USMC?
#1
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Joined APC: Dec 2016
Posts: 8
Bail at 17 Years Active USMC?
The idea of leaving active duty for an active reserve or active guard job crossed my mind years ago but never this late in the game. Recently my buddy mentioned leaving active duty for an Air Force Reserve (full time) or Air National Guard job (full time). He is stuck at a desk in a staff job for his remaining time (no fault of his own). We know a few guys that did this around years 10-12 YCS. One flying heavies and one flying RPAs. I'm trying to figure out if I should talk my buddy off the wall or join him on it. Flying anything besides a desk sounds more appealing. I know there would be an enormous amount of paperwork from my prior research. There are some openings on usajobs but they don't go into too many details. I've heard of guys "rushing" the prospective squadron and read the Gold to Silver document on baseops.net.
Does anyone have any experience in this area, this late in the game?
If one were to do this, would the guard or AF reserve time (full time) allow them to retire at 20 YCS if they chose to retire? Would they receive retirement pay upon retirement or have to wait?
We are both helicopter pilots and have heard of the Envoy RTP.
Thanks, have a great New Year
Does anyone have any experience in this area, this late in the game?
If one were to do this, would the guard or AF reserve time (full time) allow them to retire at 20 YCS if they chose to retire? Would they receive retirement pay upon retirement or have to wait?
We are both helicopter pilots and have heard of the Envoy RTP.
Thanks, have a great New Year
#2
If you accumulate 20 years total active duty service (not counting certain short-term reserve duty), then you are immediately eligible for a full active retirement. AGR would count for that.
#3
You have to have reach 6 years of Reserve service before reaching 28 years of commisioned service. Likely you must make LTC to do that in the AF. Guys have done it and one friend claims it will pay to do so,
GF
GF
#4
Navy is eight years reserve service for a reserve retirement. For a late AC to RC transition that means you need to make O5 (or have prior enlisted service).
But regular retirement eligibility is achieved immediately upon reaching 20 years cumulative active duty, regardless of which components you served in or your status when you hit 20.
So if you transition AC to traditional (part time) RC you would need to serve eight years in the RC in order to be eligible for the reserve retirement at age 60.
If you transition AC to full time reserve/guard, then you'll still get the regular AC retirement at 20.
Reserve components don't usually want folks dropping in for a couple years and then getting a regular AC retirement. The navy reserve goes to great lengths to ensure RC folks don't hit 20 cumulative active years, since they have to pay your retirement in that case.
But title 10 pretty much ensures that if you hit 20 active, you're eligible for a regular AC retirement immediately.
#7
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Joined APC: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
I'm not Guard / Reserve guy, but from the bro's it seems like AGR flying jobs are typically rare. You are more likely to get hired by a unit for an ART/TR. If you would like to continue flying it seems like a good idea. I would do it.
#8
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Joined APC: Oct 2015
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Posts: 2,895
I personally wouldn't punch at the 17 year point. Lotsa uncertainty with the economy in future and thus the airline industry. 3 years gets you a check that will pay for the roof over your head for life... regardless of what's going on in the aviation industry.
#9
But airline hiring, driven by pilot demographics, will be unprecedented for the next decade, even if no economic growth occurs.
Tow scenarios where I would punch at > 15 years:
1. What the OP is talking about. Dodging a twilight desk tour for a flying job as a full-time guard/reserve (not an option in the Navy/USMC for someone that senior). Best of both worlds, get the retirement and then be current for the majors.
2. Job offer in hand at FDX/UPS/Big Three. Join the reserves and do eight years for the reserve retirement. For someone who had close to 20 AD the ultimate paycheck (delayed to age 60) will be pretty close to a regular AD 20 year check. You'll have military medical available in some form forever if desired. The trick with this option is timing...you might need a formal sep date to get a job offer, so you would probably need to take a leap of faith. Reasonable risk for someone with eminent qualifications in today's environment. If you you're relatively weak compared to peers, or have a black mark this might not be a great idea.
Worst case do 20, go to a regional or LCC for a year or three for currency and then get on with the bigs.
As for the economy...there's nothing really wrong with it structurally. Wall street didn't seem to mind the Nov results. There are the inevitable cycles but I'm not aware of any looming catastrophes.
#10
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Joined APC: Jan 2015
Posts: 87
I separated from AD at just under 17 years in 2012 to take an ART flying command position. At the time it made the most sense - I planned on an AF career and wanted to keep flying. I felt the AF Reserve would give me the best opportunity. Two years later I took an AGR staff job. I felt it would help career plans and allow me to "bank" 20 years of AD time when/if I wanted to retire completely. Shortly after that I started to consider the airlines more so put my apps out. Got a call from a legacy and got a job offer (after 2 years of non-flying). Separated from my AGR tour at ... wait for it ... 19 years total AD time.
However, the only reason I was comfortable in doing so is because I was able to stay on as an IMA/part timer in my current position, with a healthy man day budget, and a strong likelihood of a return to AD on mil leave for a period of time in the near future.
Those mil/airline guys who I tell the story to agree it was a smart move. Hopefully it works out. I tell you this mainly because every situation is different. Research as best you can but none of us can safely see the future. Determine your own personal level of risk you can afford to take and never shut any doors.
The previous post is correct about treating high-AD time reservists differently when it comes to AD retirements. I've heard the same data about the Navy as previously posted - they generally frown on it. On the other hand, historically the AF Reserve has been very good about it. 20 years AD is 20 years, they won't stand in the way of an assignment to prevent having to pay for that retirement.
However, the only reason I was comfortable in doing so is because I was able to stay on as an IMA/part timer in my current position, with a healthy man day budget, and a strong likelihood of a return to AD on mil leave for a period of time in the near future.
Those mil/airline guys who I tell the story to agree it was a smart move. Hopefully it works out. I tell you this mainly because every situation is different. Research as best you can but none of us can safely see the future. Determine your own personal level of risk you can afford to take and never shut any doors.
The previous post is correct about treating high-AD time reservists differently when it comes to AD retirements. I've heard the same data about the Navy as previously posted - they generally frown on it. On the other hand, historically the AF Reserve has been very good about it. 20 years AD is 20 years, they won't stand in the way of an assignment to prevent having to pay for that retirement.
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