How does that work? Just curious.

Chris99:

Re: 50th Space Wing.

I think so. We flew Phantoms together, then he got hired at United about a year after me...he was in no hurry to go back. Haven't really kept touch, just knew he was working out there......someplace.

You can't collect a bonus and "disability" at the same time. So they give you the bonus (minus taxes) after you separate. Then, if you qualify for any "disability" pay, all of those monthly allotments will go towards paying off the bonus amount. You only have to pay back the amount you actually received (i.e. the amount after the 25% taxes). By the time I'm 60, the VSP will have been paid off.

I'm sure you've been briefed that care is needed w/ disability payouts and some types of continuing employment. I can't tell if you fly for a living, for example- if you do- the FAA may feel it needs to know about your VA disability issue and have either a waiver or a SODA or hopefully nothing but a recurring "previously reported, no change" on your physicals. Reason- the FAA violated dozens in CA last year based on their VA and other disability ratings and payments vs. their lack of said disclosures in their flight physical data. If this is your case, or anyone on the board- I'd get in touch w/ the folks in the know, not just random inputs, but this might be a timely notice for some. It was called operation Safe Pilot and used Social Security Admin payout data, not VA, but I don't know if they are linked. 3200+ of the 40,000 pilots in the state were flagged.

This is a good point to make, but that's why I put "disability" in quotations. Technically, VA pay is "disability" pay even if the "disabilities" are minor and don't affect flying (as it is in my case). Your employer cannot ask you if you receive this "disability" pay at an interview. However, if you have any issues that affect flying, these have to be disclosed during your medical as you mentioned above (and could affect your ability to maintain a medical and continue flying). I do fly for a living and have a first class medical--no limitations.

Chris what did you end up getting the "disability" VA pay for? PM or call me. I remember we talked about it back when you had just gotten out but that was a while back...

Pretty good info, although I'm sure some things have changed.

Yep things have changed. So far TPs and UTAs are fairly safe but there are restrictions on using AT (like when, and limits on non-local AT). RMPs are tough to swing, and both MPA and RPA money is drying up.

I love the reserves but plan on getting the min as far as pay periods (48 UTA, 48 AFTP and 15 days of AT) and nothing more. Some units are fighting just to fund that in today's fiscal climate. The current govt leadership is no friend to DoD.

I haven't seen any money for RMPs and only the need for Strat airlift is aiding our MPA/RPA funds.

A year or two ago we could swing RMP money but that's gone now. We currently have the C-130H schoolhouse so that's the only thing driving MPA/RPA funds. Once we transition to a normal Herk unit I think given the current fiscal environment we'll see those dry up too.