For me, $125k (before taxes) was nowhere near enough to put myself on the hook to miss birthdays, games, anniversaries, etc. that I'd never get back. To hell with the college funds. I'll take the time with my kids while I have it.

ymmv.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

My kids 529s are at 170k now. Good ride past 12 years--no regrets but glad I didn't sign to 25 years. Have friends across the spectrum of choices and all have different results depending on how they define success.

Any other info from rumor mill about the FY14 Pilot continuation bonus? Been seeing some rumors (supposedly from someone who knows someone at AFPC) over at another forum about offering only to 11F and not 11M. Kinda see that as hard to justify since many 11Ms are filling 11F staff and other non-flying billets to keep the fighter cockpits filled.

Bonus is great for Officers already planning on staying in. I do not think it will sway many that are on the fence.

Looks like the Active Duty AF bonus finally hit the myPers website today. No updates on reserves or Guard pages as of this morning.

I'm AGR and have been looking for it to drop from ARPC. I started a 37 month tour May 1 and am now inside of 3 years. I'm afraid that if/when it drops for AGRs, I'll end up with the one to 35 month (15K/yr) deal instead of the 36+ month (25K/yr) because they drug their feet releasing the deal. Does anyone know if historically it was retroactive to when you were eligible for it during that FY?

Last year the ANG said no back dating and multiple people got screwed out of anything at all based on dates before the 18 year point. I don't thing the AD or Reserve played that game.

Keeping an eye on mypers for the PDSM to drop, supposedly today as Gunn mentioned. Rumor is same as last year, except they may be opening it up to both the FY14 year group and the FY15 guys as well...we'll see....

It dropped. Here's from the PDSM. Sounds similar to last year, minus the early eligible option.

The FY2014 ARP Program is:
a. Designed to incentivize targeted populations within the rated community to remain in the Air Force until 16 years of commissioned service.
b. A tool used to encourage retention of officers in specific rated Air Force Specialties (AFS) and year groups not eligible for Force Management.
c. Synchronized with the FY2014 Officer Force Management Program
d. Revised to include the Early Eligible option. Pilots and CSOs whose ADSC for UFT expires in FY2015 or who complete the appropriate Years of Aviation Service (YAS) will be able to request and execute an ARP Agreement in FY2014. Officers are encouraged to review eligibility criteria carefully, as detailed in Parts II through VII.
e. In effect from release of this PSDM through midnight 30 Sep 2014 Central Daylight Time (CDT).
3. The FY2014 ARP Categories and Rated Summary:
a. Category 1 – Pilot (11X): Provides pilots the opportunity to accept an ARP Agreement of 5 years with equal annual installments of $25,000.
b. Category 2 – Fighter Pilot (11F) and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot (11U): Provides pilots the opportunity to accept an ARP Agreement of 5 years at $25,000 per year, receiving 50% up-front. The first payment will be $62,500 and remaining payments (years 2 – 5) will be $15,625 annually.
c. Category 3 – Fighter Pilot (11F): Provides fighter pilots the opportunity to accept an ARP Agreement at $25,000 per year until they reach 20 YAS (9 years maximum), with the option to receive 50% up-front. Pilots will either be paid in equal installments or the first payment at up to $112,500 and remaining payments up to $14,063 (depending on the length of the contract).
d. Category 4 – Combat Systems Officer (12H/U/F): Provides CSOs on rescue, RPA or fighter aircraft, the opportunity to accept an ARP Agreement of 5 years with equal annual installments of $15,000.
4. All ARP Program information is maintained on myPers website and can be viewed at: