Chicken

For me they deferred a few MH things which were the DNIFing ones. No idea why as they've been documented for years. They also deferred dry eye syndrome thought.. wtf? They still gave me a rating with those being deferred... I assume because I already met the 100%. But how does insomnia just completely drop off the claim?

A lot of it is your C&P exam as well. I didn't even know the range of motions test started until he pulled the protector out and started measuring. I think I was expecting some sort of commencement ceremony. Anytime I felt pain or even strain I said I can't move it anymore... and that's what they want. When you feel pain or discomfort... not to power through it. I spent 2 years documenting and even built a spreadsheet to list all my ailments... I always ignored my plantar fasciitis but when it came down to it I got 30% for it. It was the last year on skillbridge that I found out a bit more about it. The guy I worked for was a recruiter and got 100%. But he provided me with some insight on the final 6 months of the process and exams.

permanent and total. My understanding is that I have 100% for life and no further evaluations required. It's also a requirement for some benefits in some states for property tax exclusion.

I know there are a lot of topics that discuss VA disability here and there, but didn't se anything specific to it.. unless I completely missed it while searching on my phone at 3am. As flyers, we document nothing. I decided 3 years ago, prior to retirement, to start documenting everything. This eventually led to me being DNIF and never flying again but also helped in getting 100% disability from the VA. My 100% was from nothing big I claimed.. just a bunch of little aches and pains that added up to 97%. When I got my notification letter, I noticed a number of items on there that are "deferred". I called the VA and asked them what that meant, what was needed from me, what the way forward was and I got a vague answer of "they probably need more info". That's it. No path forward, no outline of what is going to happen, just a flat out guess. Anyone have any idea what I am supposed to do with that? I also didn't see anything specific to 100% P&T on there. From what I read if you have a combined rating over 70% and one item at or more than 40% you should be P&T. However it doesn't say anything in the letter. Are they waiting for the deferred items to be finalized? I also asked the VA about this and the answer was "well you're 100% so you should be P&T". While I want to believe that's correct I don't think that's exactly how that works. Any ideas? I also have some things not mentioned in the letter at all like insomnia. I've been diagnosed with severe & chronic insomnia and have had it heavily documented over the last 3 years to include sleep therapy, sleep restriction, meds, etc. Yet it's not even mentioned in the letter... not denied, not awarded at least 0%, and not deferred. On a side note, I was surprised at a number of things I got compensated for and the amount I got for them. I was also surprised at some things they combined (IBS & GERD combined) and things I was denied for. If anyone is starting to go through this feel free to hit me up with questions. I started telling folks, particularly flyers, to start at least 2 years from retirement, preferably 3 years. Additionally, things I went DNIF for are not even included in that rating FWIW.

Personally I'd rather be in the back of an ACJ shooting than the pilot tbh...until it comes time to go to the airlines.

He's the reason I stopped being so wishy washy about retiring and hit the button. During the SOI re-write last year for the ACJ, we accomplished a 50% training reduction time.. on paper. We actually added a few events to the SOI, removed nothing, and pushed nothing to the squadron.

I went to school and through ROTC with this guy and ran across him a few times throughout my career. He'll smile right at you and then stab you in the back. No loyalty to anyone that I know of. From what I remember ..and could be wrong, he flew drones as a result of some medical thing so I'm not sure he got picked up by an airline..but I could be wrong.

Thanks...I'm excited about getting out and doing something else. There's an open8ng where we plan to retire so I suppose I'll start the process and see what happens

I retire in 2 months and starting to look at potential jobs. One thing I was considering was JROTC instructor but wanted to see if anyone had any experience knowledge on what it's like. From what I've found it talks a number of things including drill, marksmanship, teaching classes, among other things. Are these classes similar to ROTC classes or do they expect me to roll right in and teach these kids calculus? How do the bonuses work? One location has a $6200 stipend which I assume is a one time deal but also returns the AF contribution to the instructor? Just looking for any info possible.

Great site with lots of good info.. I appreciate it! I thought my waiver process would be complete by now.. but they want me to go to Wright-Patterson for a week of evaluations....? The waiver I was supposed to be for the meds I am on.. full disclosure I was diagnosed with anxiety/severe chronic insomnia/depression/adjustment disorder. What in the world would I do for an entire week at Wright-Patterson? I've applied for skillbridge and my timeline is super compressed at this point. I no longer care about the waiver itself.. is it still worth it to go through all this for documentation? Kinda blows my mind how it takes 1-2 months to get an appointment at MH but now they want to hang out with me for an entire week...?

Well I was initially going to set a June 1 retirement date.. upon doing some research folks have said that March 1 would be a better date based on it "historically providing the best initial COLA, because it results in the biggest difference between two quarters of average inflation". Any truth to this? What exactly is this talking about and will it make that big of a difference between June and March? Does this mean I am locked into a COLA % based on the month I retire? For 2022 the difference would be 8.7% vs 4.4%...

I'm in the process of retiring by May. I've had a waiver dragging for over a year now as a result of miscommunication between flight med and mental health. Initially I wanted to get back into the seat but I don't see the point anymore. By the time I actually get the waiver, requal, etc.. I'll be doing skillsbridge. However, I didn't want to close any doors in the case that something came up. However, if I request a waiver and get a waiver does that potentially lower the amount of VA disability I might get?

How does Flight Pay work wrt being DNIF for over a year? I was under the impression that if I met my gate months I was good for flight pay. I've been DNIF for over a year and was just notified that I would lose my flight pay despite the fact I have more than 200 gate months. Others have said I should not lose my flight pay as they have been DNIF for 1+ years and still receive flight pay. I still have a valid PHA as well.

I'm finally hitting the button next week and looking to figure out my retirement date. I hit 23 years in June.. but I've had it and not sure I can make it for exactly 23 years. I want to do skillbridge and found a program that is 151-180 days. I also have about 50 days of leave, will accrue leave while on skillbridge and am counting on the 20 days PTDY. From what I understand skillbridge, PTDY, and terminal leave can't exceed 180 days total. If that's the case do I take the PTDY and skillbridge together, use my leave I have now as normal leave (as opposed to terminal) and the leave I accrue on skillbridge I sell back once retired? What's the most efficient way to work this IAW the AFI?

If you're looking for job satisfaction as a CSO.. ACJ is where it's at IMO.

So for a couple years they've been releasing rated folks to go teach at ROTC Dets. 2 slots just popped up in a location we want to retire so I'm not considering it. Has anyone been through this board/process? I have to write a 500 character narrative/recommendation but there is not guidance about what should be in as far as I can tell. I'm currently sitting at 21 years with a DOS of 2025 (passed over O4). So the 2 year ROTC gig would almost take be to 25 years. I'm going to apply either way... but what are the odds I get picked up? What can I do to increase those odds?

Ok thanks.. that's exactly the info I was looking for!

I don't have a specific job in mind.. I have plenty of $ saved.. but would rather not dip into them. I'm just trying to figure out how this all works. I've found a number of jobs that are remote which has opened up opportunities.. but I was not sure if I could apply.. then get the job.. then hit the button?

So what I'm looking for is A GS-13 (hopefully) job. However I need to pay the bills and can't just leave AD and hope I get a job. So I'd like to get a job then leave AD. Is it possible to apply for a GS job.. get accepted.. and go on terminal?

So speaking of that.. a number of jobs on USA Jobs has the requirement below. I've called MPF, retirement/separations and of course they're super helpful. They have no idea what this is. Is this a letter I draft up saying I'm getting out on X date signed by my commander or what? Is this the same statement of service when you're getting a VA loan? Are you an active duty service member? Active Duty Service Members are required to submit a statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command. The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.).

Officer.. I finally talked to someone at MPF. According to him if I receive orders I can just apply for retirement up to a year from that date. So if I got orders today.. according to him.. I can apply for retirement 1 March 2023. He also said that you can change that date up to 30 days prior? Seems like that applied to a DOS.. not sure on really changing retirement dates. If I found a great job on the outside would I be able to retire earlier?

I had some questions with regard to establishing a DOS that folks at my MPF couldn't really answer. I have over 20 years and an ADSC for a bonus until this August. I would be hot for orders (Cannon) which means I would have to 7 day opt IOT stay at my current location. I'm in the process of finding a job.. getting certifications, education .. all that. My concern is that I get orders, have to 7 day opt with no job on the outside. If I got orders, would I be able to request a DOS at that time? Or has that ship sailed at that point? Is it a safer bet to establish a DOS for a year from now and move it as required based on finding a job and when I'm ready to get out?

WSO or CSO? Eventually everything will be ACJ. The 16th will be the last to convert and that timeline continues to shift right. However, if your concern is whether or not you'll go cannon someday...gunships are not for you. I used to go to pcola graduations but got tired of the "do you get any cool TDYs, will I go to Europe, how do I stay away from cannon, what's the easiest thing to fly in AFSOC" questions.

From what I was told 3+ years ago... not much of that matters to be honest. The awards should be a mechanism to push you to a senior rater strat. With no strat they don't mean much by themselves. The board cares about strats period. Who they are from.. what kind of strat... etc. Your flying has little to do with an O5 board. They care about leadership potential.. so evaluator, combat hours, checkrides... matters for not much for your O5 board. Not my words.. just what I've been told.

And that's what I'm getting at.. there are folks that simply do not belong here. Yet they wanted a shot so we waste time and resources on them. From what I understand, AFSOC did't take people out of the pipeline initially but either manning of feelings drove that to change. Now, we are not allowed to screen/interview or anything of the sort.