Brothers and sisters, I really appreciate the help. It sounds like most people recommend to FOS twice rather than resign. I see my choice as two scenarios.
First, some facts. Delta (my first choice) wants to hire 622 people in 2014, roughly 50 a month. In 2016, my MSR, they will retire 225 pilots and increase that to 286 in 2017.
1) Resign. Stay at my cushy shore tour and extend five months to cover PRD to MSR; the last two months will be terminal leave.
PROS: I can drive to most airline interviews and have pretty good control over my schedule. Continue civilian multi-engine CFI-ing on the side to maintain currency. Use chill time to drive around, rush, and pick up a reserve or ANG job. Get out right at MSR, at my absolute earliest point, take two months terminal leave while classing up with a major, thereby obtaining the best seniority number possible.
CONs: Forefeit $70k severance. Potentially forfeit $25-50k of the bonus as well, if I take that.
2) Get pushed out (FOSx2). Play the game, and allow the Navy to move me June 2016 to where ever that may be. Second FOS notification comes out July 2016 and says I have 7 months to leave.
PROs: $70k severeance. Potentially $50k on top of that of DH bonus. That adds up to a sick down payment on a new crib. Longer time in service as a march towards 20 years (to be added to reserve time). Potential for better networking.
CONs: I will have no idea where I may be moved or what I will be doing (Disassociated Sea Tour). I may leave before getting called up for an interview and have issues getting to one. Rushing reserve/guard units may be relegated to e-mail. I will likely fall out of currency prior to the interviews. Leaving 7 months after FOSx2 means classing up for the airlines a minimum of four months later, which could be 200 people behind. (I think that's significant)
Does this work as an option 3? Go with option 2, and try to get interviews while on shore tour. If I get hired, allow the Navy to make me PCS to next tour, and let the Navy FOS me out. If I don't get hired prior to PCS, summarily drop my letter (but I may be behind timeline for this and possibly **** off BUPERS) so I can remain at my shore tour. Additionally, I could see me giving the airlines a really fuzzy "can start working date" since I won't know exactly when the Navy will let me go.