1. Don't waste your money on a 737 type rating. (Why do all mil guys seem to think this is a good idea or investment?)

b. Do your ATP, right meow. The rules change next year and it will get significantly harder.

iv. You can skip the regionals if you plan and execute strategery early. What SWO hell are you in right now? Lots of locations have great GA opportunity. Jax, Norfolk, San Dog, come to mind.

The 8 year commitment is a game changer for Navy guys. Unless you have a significant delay somewhere after winging, you are fodder for 2 years of non-flying (YMMV for jet guys). JOPA, plan accordingly. Getting that CFI and moonlighting during your disassociated may be the answer. Otherwise, lobby hard for flying orders. As said above, have a plan!

Agree with Grumble. Save the money. Maybe there is an opportunity to split rental costs with a buddy down at the flying club to build some time for recency.
I believe the hiring is going to takeoff and there will be good opportunities for you out there without a 737 type rating, unless SWA is where your focus is. Bank the money you'll save, you will want a nest egg during that first year.

Had a buddy that got his ATP, interviewed with UAL on Monday and bought 2hrs of sim time the day before the interview. Every other fighter/attack pilot I've talked to about this says you need sim time because you have no idea how to fly a 737. My point is, after spending $3000 on an ATP then another $1100 on sim prep for an interview he could have spent a little more and got an 737 type. Necessary? No but may have helped instead of cramming the day prior. Just something to consider about getting a type rather than an ATP in light twin

A $10K type rating a year or two ago, or a $1100 for two hours of sim fam. I did the second, just like your buddy the day prior. You know how to fly, you're not trying to build the thing (they'll teach you that if/when you get the job, and pay you for it!). Especially guys coming from fighters you just need to get in there and understand what it feels like to fly something with that much mass. You're not cramming per se, just getting comfortable so you can perform on game day. Plus after a $2500 ATP and $1100 for the sim prep, you're still $6400 ahead.

My friend got a 737 type rating a year ago. He is still dropping $1,100 for the FTI sim prep a day before his UAL interview. Unless you can somehow time your UAL interview to happen within a few months of getting the 737 type rating, any fighter bubba is still going to need a refresher prior to the interview sim eval.

While you guys go in this luffberry, I'll point out that the right answer is the one that works for you.

I had guys do 2 hour sim preps for Fedex and get hired. I had one guy buy 10 2 hour sessions. He had been flying UAVs a while. When I saw his order I went "OMG, he must have hit the transaction button multiple times...." and called him. Nope....he just wanted to be ready. After he was hired he told me is was worth it to him, and he was very happy he did it.

Some guys will want to know they can "nail it" 2-3 times before they have to execute. Other guys can bumble through the session but say "I will fix that tomorrow, and I'll be fine..." and then they do. So--it all comes down to stress management, your learning style and comfort level, and financial tradeoffs. We are all very different. I usually recommend at least one solo 2 hour block, then you can make your own assessment as to what you need beyond that.

But again--we are all different. I don't think there is a silver bullet....

I was a fighter guy and went into the interview sim cold. I asked the sim pilot for pitch and power settings. It wasn't a problem. That worked for me but is probably not ideal for everyone.

I retired back on 1 April, Navy pilot (most of my flight time in the C-2A/T-45C), just over 3000 hours total. I thought the best way might be the Regional route to keep my hours up, applied to a few companies, hired by a few and settled for AWAC. Good company, great people but the money was atrocious IMO. So I applied to L3 Vertex, hired and going through the final phase of their training. I have my ATP, Commercial, BE300 type, etc. I like the company, like the people and the money is good. Will fly the MC-12 btw.

+1 The numbers of folks leaving the military is much lower. You are a known quantity/quality. Be prepared, you be in. Timing is good.