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The document you linked says "conduct basic CAS." 3-09.3 definition of CAS is pretty inclusive and doesn't require all the capes of a CAS specific aircraft like the A-10. In fact, it's inclusive enough that pretty much any aircraft with bombs or bullets and a radio could "conduct basic CAS." I don't see it as a barrier to their IOC.

Kandahar may or may not be named after Alexander the Great, so at least he has that going for him, which is nice.

The math is simple. A 2.5% multiplier annuity payable in my 40s based off DFAS tables is leaps and bounds a much more lucrative deal than a FERS 1% multiplier payable at 62 based off GS SSR tables (or worse, slick GS tables due to the high probability one cannot medically finish civil service as an ART to 57) for my qualifying military service. So much so, that it becomes the difference between being able to retire to a lifestyle I can enjoy versus not being able to make black on the same amount of working life invested. To me, that's a critical difference since I am the primary breadwinner. I don't know how else to explain the math difference for ya. If your personal circumstances make a 40% annuity cut for 10 more years worked mere chump change because you have a high earning spouse or otherwise are not the primary breadwinner, then that's cool; I'm limiting my comments to my circumstance. If Uncle Sam shorts me the opportunity of an AGR retirement and considering I'm going to get Social Security and a Reserve retirement whether I'm an ART or a Walmart greeter anyways, the question then becomes what is a more lucrative avenue in order for me to attain my retirement goals: ART or airlines. Without a doubt, an airline that offers a 10%+ B-fund at present rate narrowbody FO rates, offers off-the-charts better return than a GS-13 ART job. If the ART job was CSRS, then the math for me would favor ART for the opportunity cost of furlough/income loss at the airline to me. But under FERS, at 1%, it's game over, no contest, the airline is better. I'd love to enjoy the higher time at home an ART could potentially offer, but not at a 40% annuity reduction from AGR retirement or airline/TR combo retirement. I can always go back and get me that FAA ASI/post office job if the airline lottery fizzles, but I'd be remiss if I were to balk on the opportunity to make that kind of coin for my family and my solvency in retirement if Uncle Sam is going to jip me off an AD annuity anyways. As always, to each their own. Clear as mud?

Here's what I do, I find a card with a great deal (like $400 or $500 for spending $3,000 in 3 months) and I use that card exclusively until I reach the target dollar amount. Once I reach the target dollar amount, I cash out my benefits and move on to the next card, or go back to my go-to daily use cards like Chase Sapphire preferred or Chase Freedom if there aren't any good deals running. If I am buying plane tickets to Thailand or making big purchases, it might take me a month to hit the dollar amount, if I am not making big purchases, it might take me the full 3 months. If I am taking a trip where I want to use up the free airline credits on my Amex cards, I will bring those cards with me and buy seat upgrades or drinks or movies or whatever just to use those benefits. For the Amex platinum, I might use it on two or three trips before I hit the $200 airline credit limit. Either way, the refunds post before the bill is due, so I pay it as soon as the refunds post, then put the card in the drawer until the next year. At no point have I ever carried a balance on any card, because I don't want to ever pay a cent of interest. I have also never paid an annual fee, they are either waived for military every year, or I get the first year for free, then drop the card down to the non-annual fee version at the end of the year. This might all sound like a lot of work, but you can easily manage all of it on your iPhone while taking a dump.