The advice that MikeF16 gave is good with one exception. You can build up a lot of hours flying cross-countries in a T-1 but the airlines LOVE heavy/International time. At my interview at UPS (1994) the pilot interviewer asked me about NAT tracks. I proceeded to tell him more about them than he was expecting or knew himself. He started to take notes and told me "Don't be nervous that I'm taking notes, I have to fly to Cologne next week and you know more about this stuff than the guys who instruct here" I got the job. With the internation experience there is no facet of airline flying that will be new to you.
Good luck at UPT

I would also highly suggest that you do not let your desire to become an airline pilot known to anyone that out ranks you...the entire time that you are in the AF! That should also go for some of your not so close "bros" in the squadron. There are plenty of back-stabbers out there who will be competing for the same dwindling number of "good deal" upgrades and assignments as you and won't bat an eye at ratting you out as a non-team player to the "leadership". SQ and OG commanders won't want to burn those choice upgrades and assignments on guys that they know don't relish the taste of blue Kool-Aid and who are going to jump ship at the first opportunity. Thus, you might find yourself sitting in front of a Predator console at Cannon on your second assignment with very little actual flight time under your belt. Seen it happen several times...

These days, you may get more street cred by telling you commanders and DOs that you will be getting out at the first chance available. They'll be looking for LORs when they retire. Karma is a *****, especially when a retired O-5 can't figure out why that O-3 he screwed over 3 years ago won't help him get hired at the Major he wants.

That wasn't my experience for what it's worth. I was pretty forthcoming about my plans when I was in my second to last and last assignment. I worked hard at my job. I still got a great strat and got the assignment I wanted, was upgraded to EP, and got other good deals.

I have seen this several times. Most line guys understand if the boss "has a job to do…", but the ones that seem to go out of the way to "punish" guys for leaving often find a few roadblocks in their subsequent careers.

Yuuuuup! I've already had the pleasure of telling one former department head to firmly plant his face on the butt cheek of his choosing. The toes you step on today may be connected to the ass you kiss tomorrow.

It would be hard for me to imagine that one of those guys would have to rely on a subordinate for a LOR when I'm sure that he has peers and former superiors to turn to for recommendations.

If Grumble had the experience though it obviously happens.

This is the airlines. They can only rely on superiors and peers if they have a number at the airline they are seeking. I can assure you there are a lot of former bosses who have contacted me to write recommendations. It's amazing how many people come out of the woodwork to butt kiss a journeyman O4 retired graybeard who has a seniority number.

I imagine there are many - and that is sort of what I was alluding too.
If I tried for the airlines - I'd have plenty of peers and up at nearly every airline to ask for recommedations from without ever having to turn to someone more junior than I was.

I know of one former Wing CC that is plugging along at a regional....3 years or so while guys in his units have been hired. One bad pirep is probably not a big deal. If a handful of guys--or more--are reminding the airline management that the pilot in question was a tool when he had a little power, it will be noted. One guy...maybe sour grapes. A couple...a leader has to make hard calls and cannot make everyone happy. More than that? Well...with 10,000 apps maybe we just give this other guy a call.

And remember--who is running the show at the airlines? While there are some former heavy hitters from the military, many of folks who are at the airlines were "quitters"...junior or mid level officers who left to pursue money, a better quality of life, or less overall BS. Many who did get out continued to serve in the Guard. If you ever had an active duty guy belittle or hassle someone in the total force, you can understand how some resentment can accumulate.

Point is I know of guys still riding the bench. Not sure but suspect very much they got some bad words being spun about them...