I have my first interview coming up, and was seeking advice on answering the inevitable question of why I am leaving my flying job in the Navy.

My commitment just ended in January, so I could have resigned 2 months ago. However, if I wait 9 more months, and get separated due to non-promotion to O-4, I will be 100k richer due to my separation pay. In my opinion, it seemed foolish to not bank the extra cash to ride out a few more months of a boring staff job.

My record has always been very good, EP's along the way, fully qual'd, NATOPS Officer, etc but the combination of force reducing and taking a non-competitive shore tour did me in. That shore tour, however, is what allowed me as a helo pilot to fly C-12s and pick up my fixed wing multi ATP, so I wouldn't be at this point without that job.

Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar position, and how I explain that to the panel without sounding as though I am a sandbag. Thanks.

I am in a similar situation so I would like to hear the suggestions also.

Depending on where you interview, there are a lot of prior military guys that will probably be on your interview panel that will understand the situation. It's not that uncommon. A good buddy of mine, P-3 dude was in the same boat. Solid track record, but he wanted the fun/flying jobs that aren't career builders and thus was shown the door as a non-select for O-4. You'd be crazy not to camp out and bank the separation cash. That said, I know a lot of guys in your shoes that got picked up for SELRES/FTS and promoted there. Look into it if you're interested.

Every employer understands the phrase "reduction in force"

I would leave it at that, unless you are specifically asked for more details.

Be honest about your reason for waiting around for the sep pay...shows good headwork.

Also could be viewed as someone who games the system.

I don't believe this to be the case, but you never know how a potential employer might feel. Why risk it?

It's not the CIA. Employers aren't entitled to all the details of your life. Just keep it generic. RIF. It happens. Next.

So, basically what you are saying is that you were "fired" by the Navy. You are competing with thousands of military pilots who didn't get RIF'd and made it through their promotion boards to higher rank. Honestly, why should they hire you when those guys are available?

I was twice passed over to major in the Air Force. I've had 3 airline interviews and I was never asked about it. If you don't have any skeletons, they understand people get passed over. If they asked, I would have been up front and honest.

I know one friend who was asked at SWA interview why didn't you get promoted to Lt Col. Kind of caught him off guard but he must have done fine because he was hired. Agree with others to not over think it and keep answers simple unless they specifically ask for more detail. Plenty of other prior squadron members who chose not do well on the promotion side (didn't do PME, etc) and separated or retired without promotions all got hired.