To quote any range officer

Shack 1

Apparently, rickair7777 has no idea what is going on in the USAF these days.
Get out,... run away to the Guard,... don't look back.

Well, to clear up some confusion on my part, yes I have the 10 year pilot commitment, I'm at year 6 1/2. I did the first 4 years at Travis AFB flying KC-10's, the rest of that has been in Preds. I'm up for my Major's board this December, my PRF has already been written. I think I'll probably make it, considering I'm an instructor and have had some descent sq jobs, but I don't have my Master's and Creech didn't have any SOS slots when I showed up so I never got to attend in residence, which will hurt me. I'd say it's a 70/30 that I make it, we'll see. Pred Capt's are notorious for getting undeservedly passed-over, btw. Most of this is due to flying all the time and not having the goodies for your PRF.

Better hope the guard somehow stays funded while the regular components get vaporized. I'm not sure any service component will be much safer than any other if budget push comes to shove. he guard is a much nicer place to hang out though.

So, is the AF actually cutting 0-5 non-selects prior to 18 years?

Yes, according to the AF Times this week, 2/3 of the twice passed over Major's (passed over for 0-5) are getting cut, some at their 17 year mark. So if you want to guarantee 20 years you need to make 0-5.

Wow. That's almost unbelievable. At 17 years I'd probably enlist in the freakin coast guard for three years and THEN retire on O-4 pay.

I know of three 15-16 year Majors who just got their walking papers!
And I don't believe they were passed over but I'll ask the POCs. The RIF is back.

USMCFLYR

It really is a crime when you think about it...17 years means you're 85% there, yet you are forced to walk away with nothing. Even Gates as he retired lamented about not having a graduated retirement system for these folks.

This is one of the reasons I don't want to stay in.

Dude if I were you I would try not to make Major then you can get out before your commitment is up and get to the guard/reserves that much sooner. Didn't guys back in the day write Do Not Promote me letters to the promotion board? Would this hurt your chances of getting on with a guard/reserve unit though?

Dude...

If you dont have a masters and you didnt go to SOS, you will most likely need a DP, to even be considered for O-4. I just helped out w/ an AFPC hiring board for 2 wks recently....they are looking at these things....because the economy is making retention high and they are looking to trim...thus (VSP/RIF).

How much PIC do you have in the 10? IP time? Consider, as an option, finishing your time there then contact a UPT (JPPT) reserve sqdn for a job. Then fly 2-3 times a day to build PIC. Prob the fastest way to get it for you....or requal in the 10...

It's a tough market for a new emerging civ pilot...it seems, and there are a lot of EXTREMELY qualified folks waiting for the industry to open the doors for hiring....my point being, try to get competitive!

RPA jobs? call the Border Patrol in San Diego. They share preds w/ March ARB. I know a guy that went Green to Blue and flies for both (Res & BPatrol). Lives in SoCal and makes some good CASH....home every day.