Straw Poll

[ExAF]

Tough Call

The more I see the termination/reduction of retirement programs these days, the mil retirement looks like a a pretty good deal after all. It's nice to get paid for waking up and breathing now as opposed to waiting to age 65. Since you are not looking for advice...I stayed and got the retirement. Six years wasn't that long. Sure comes in handy when furloughed. Good luck either way. Cheers...ExAF.

 

[AlbieF15]

I had 14 years, a fighter assignment (flying staff in Japan was on the books), and a chance to go part-time in the ANG. I bailed in 2001.

I'm very happy. Good Airline gig, side business, and ANG. That's what I DID.

No airline gig firmly in site? Tough call. Lots of other variables like A) are you remote complete and B) how does the family feel about the decision C) what will you fly in ANG/Reserves? Is AGR down the road an option if airlines don't call?

Good luck in any case. You can PM me if you'd like and I'll give you my phone number if you want to chat.

Scoreboard--I agree bro, but that's not what YOU did. :laugh: Any regrets? I look at your 20 years as a pretty good example of how to keep one's but firmly in the WGASF...except for that brief excursion to the Desert.

 

[spanky2]

Stay in and get 20. Having a MIL retirement is a nice income to supplement your other job ... and keeps other doors open.

 

[Uppercrust]

:0 Stay in and become a squadron commander!

 

[CCDiscoB]

You can see, the responses helped a lot.

Bottom line, what do you want to do with your life? If the airlines have been a goal, then get out now! Get in the front of the hiring wave with Fed Ex. But definitely get you retirement with the Guard. I chose this route and I'm glad I did (different airline). Military pilots are old enough when they get out, why wait another 6+ years.

BTW, I fly with an active duty squadron. Field Grade pilots are worked to the bone. Pk is high that you'll end up at the OSS. RAP for a BMC dude is 4 sorties a month. Do you project yourself staying in the squadron for 3 years? Most Majors are on a "conveyor belt." Seeing them come and go is amazing. I wouldn't be looking at your up coming Eagle assignment, I'd be looking at what's after that.

One more side note. Our last two SQ/CC's got out. Hummm

 

[scoreboard]

Scoreboard--I agree bro, but that's not what YOU did. :laugh: Any regrets? I look at your 20 years as a pretty good example of how to keep one's but firmly in the WGASF...except for that brief excursion to the Desert.

You Got me. No regrets at 20. But i was trying for 12 years to get out, all those pesky wars, recessions got in the way, stop loss, etc. My point is today, I would have bit the bullet and departed, but only if you could keep the benefits.

Howd you know my bike license plate says WGASF?

 

[Tnkr Pilot]

Just curious if anyone has a reference or has seen a study based on economics of when getting out would equal or better a Mil retirement, although possibly irrelevant given the concessions of the airlines of late. Anyway, I’d say bail to the guard/reserve and complete retirement credit there with a possible FedEx job around the corner.

 

[onthebeach]

Stay in.

Stay in.

 

[sandman2122]

Get out and fly for the Reserve/Guard -

 

[RickKC-135]

I got out at 20. My last 5 years I saw 5 guys come back in who got out at 14. All 5 thought they had hit the jackpot with a Major. The bottom line is, there are no guarantees in this world, but the closest you will get to a guarantee is a Military retirement.

I have also seen several guys get out at 14 and lose their medical within a year. That Military retired medical program isn't the best, but it beats nothing.