Wish i could sit around a drink a cold one with some of y’all to talk about this but that’s not reality right now. (Probably more of a vent than looking for solid advice from the green screen)
So here I sit into my 21st year of service in the Air Force, a position I was planning to retire from prior to COVID. Now I have been given an unexpected opportunity to attend a Masters degree program which comes with basically a 5 year commitment. This would most likely enable me to get at least two more promotions if I stick it out for another 10 years.
Prior to COVID I was planning to retire and get an airline job, was about 3 months from being done with the military.
So now I’m super torn. On one hand, I know the school opportunity comes with basically with a service commitment to 2025/6, 1-2 years of sitting in an office vice flying and 3 moves within 3-4 years. It also would give me a Masters in Operations Mgmt. Also, it would provide me a pathway to make Lt Col and most likely become a commander. I love mentoring and taking care of people and was always my goal before i left the service. It also provides a ton of long term financial stability for my family and a higher retirement pay.
On the other hand the airlines are all hiring and to get in on the leading edge of the next hiring wave would be great. The seniority could provide more in the long run than the added money in the retirement difference. Then again that assumption comes with never losing my ability to fly aircraft for a living and never seeing furloughs like we saw last year.
So now I sit here, being offered a career I dreamed of having, but had given up on, and the alternative of just dropping said opportunity and waiting on a call from the airlines. I can stay in for quite a few years if I don’t go to the school but the school gives me the biggest return on investment for the military promotion and highest probability of becoming a commander.
I know it’s a great problem to have in a way but it’s still a tough decision to make. It was so much easier when the choice seemingly was made for me, when I thought my chances of being a commander were done.
Any military/airline guys out there? Thoughts?
Do what you love and make less or do something you would be ok doing (not necessarily excited) and make quite a bit more (to the tune of 40-60k per year, yes airline pilots make good money)?
I’m struggling with this decision more than any decision I have ever made in my life. My family will support me regardless and are up for the challenge. My wife is retiring from the military this summer regardless so we don’t have to worry about her ability to work. She’s just going to enjoy mom life.
We have prayed together, alone and generally I feel peace with either route.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So here I sit into my 21st year of service in the Air Force, a position I was planning to retire from prior to COVID. Now I have been given an unexpected opportunity to attend a Masters degree program which comes with basically a 5 year commitment. This would most likely enable me to get at least two more promotions if I stick it out for another 10 years.
Prior to COVID I was planning to retire and get an airline job, was about 3 months from being done with the military.
So now I’m super torn. On one hand, I know the school opportunity comes with basically with a service commitment to 2025/6, 1-2 years of sitting in an office vice flying and 3 moves within 3-4 years. It also would give me a Masters in Operations Mgmt. Also, it would provide me a pathway to make Lt Col and most likely become a commander. I love mentoring and taking care of people and was always my goal before i left the service. It also provides a ton of long term financial stability for my family and a higher retirement pay.
On the other hand the airlines are all hiring and to get in on the leading edge of the next hiring wave would be great. The seniority could provide more in the long run than the added money in the retirement difference. Then again that assumption comes with never losing my ability to fly aircraft for a living and never seeing furloughs like we saw last year.
So now I sit here, being offered a career I dreamed of having, but had given up on, and the alternative of just dropping said opportunity and waiting on a call from the airlines. I can stay in for quite a few years if I don’t go to the school but the school gives me the biggest return on investment for the military promotion and highest probability of becoming a commander.
I know it’s a great problem to have in a way but it’s still a tough decision to make. It was so much easier when the choice seemingly was made for me, when I thought my chances of being a commander were done.
Any military/airline guys out there? Thoughts?
Do what you love and make less or do something you would be ok doing (not necessarily excited) and make quite a bit more (to the tune of 40-60k per year, yes airline pilots make good money)?
I’m struggling with this decision more than any decision I have ever made in my life. My family will support me regardless and are up for the challenge. My wife is retiring from the military this summer regardless so we don’t have to worry about her ability to work. She’s just going to enjoy mom life.
We have prayed together, alone and generally I feel peace with either route.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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