This. Retired AD here as well.

Couple of things I didn't realize that are pretty massive right now. TRICARE is the biggest benefit out there bar none. When I hear some of the healthcare cost stories from others, I realize what a huge bullet that's been dodged by having that.

Major or Lt Col retirement money means you don't have to run around doing stupid sh!t on year 1 trying to make a mortgage. Having that pension made life a lot easier that first year.

Have I missed out on some things because I was a couple of years late to the party? You bet, but for me having those other things for the rest of my life make up for it IMO.

Good Luck.

Couple of things I didn't realize that are pretty massive right now. TRICARE is the biggest benefit out there bar none


I’m not sure. The biggest benefit to me has been the ability to pass on the GI Bill to my child. Saving me $50,000 a year, so a $200,000 benefit. Not sure Tricare beats that...

Over the course of retired life it might be close. Insurance at DL aint cheap and there is a lot of co pays I aint paying.

Splitting hairs here, retirement nets you Tricare. Certain number of years and signing paperwork gets GI Bill transfer--retirement not all all necessary.

Certainly a fantastic benefit

Wife was in a huge accident 2 yrs after retirement. Four surgeries and two hospital stays. Hospitals charged over $100,000. I had $250 left on the $3000 cap and that’s what I paid. Over a 40 yr retirement, it won’t even be close.

Sorry to tell you, you don’t have to retire to pass on the GI bill. I passed on 100% and am a reservist.

If he gets out at 17 and does three good years he’d get a reserve retirement that starts at age 60. It appears you did not factor that in your calculations. If not could someone chime in on about how much that would be. Thanks.

With 17 years AD and a few reserve years to seal the deal, at age 60 (earlier if he does any OCO deployments in the reserves) that would amount to almost the same regular AD he would have got at 20 (that 17 years is a HUGE weighting factor, he gets full credit for that). He could actually beat the regular AD value if he makes O5 (probably will) and stays longer than 20 (more points x higher paygrade value).

Reserves are the way to go IMHO. You can utilize Tricare Reserve Select for your family and I think it is about $220 a month. In AETC specifically, mandays are at a premium! Yes it's a grind, but until you hire on with an airline you can still get paid and earn points until retirement. We have had guys at their 19 year point jump to the Reserves, crank out the 365 they needed for a full AD retirement at their own pace while applying to the airlines. You can't chaff off Big Blue and hit the gym for 2 hours a day and bail at 1630. They simply dig their claws in and will not let you go this route. I say find a Reserve flying gig you want, where you want and jump from AD.

Awesome advice throughout these posts. Get Both!!! My 2 cents having paralleled your situation for the most part. Everything is situation dependent and timing is everything in my case. Find that Guard/Reserve unit (Location, Deploy/non deploy, AGR vacancies, Lt Col slots), get that airline of choice and get acclimated with your new environment. Juggle your schedule with the airline and order sets (deployments or home station alerts, whatever) to accumulate those 3 years, or do the AGR gig, or AMC/TACC, AFRC HQ, Guard Bureau (ANGRC), etc. USERRA exempt won’t apply with 3 years remaining. Guys bring it up because they may have nearly exhausted their 5 years with their employer and USERRA exempt orders could bring them across the finish line which I fully understand. I myself (Lord willing) patched together 4 of the 5 aforementioned orders/job titles to get the check of the month club/TRICARE/line number. Don’t forget to consider your VA disability benefits if applicable and pass your GI benefits as others have mentioned. 4 years remaining to be eligible I believe and every solid year (365 points) after 20 AD years is 2.5% more of your base pay which should be considered. These benefits have dropped the pressure of possible unforeseen furloughs, stagnant upgrades/economy, health risks ending ones career overnight, family coverage, seniority benefits, etc. It was a huge decision and a big jump no doubt, but at least the ball is in your court for the most part. Good Luck and Godspeed!

Same question, except change the conditions to be a 15 year guy, only 5 years to retirement, AFPC is dangling the sweet Germany flying gig, but the threat of deployment and wing staff jobs is real. The long term goal was always airlines, but looks like the decision is being accelerated due to the hiring wave.

Is the Tricare and check of the month peace of mind worth 5 years of seniority and at least 180 day?
Is there anyone that thinks we're due for a recession that will affect those recently hired by the majors?
Get out and get the ANG/Res position and fight for the remaining five years?