I like to ask for all of your help and direction in the process of entering the Guard as a rotory-wing or fixed-wing pilot in a full-time position (or possibly part-time) after retiring from the USAF as an O-4 instructor/evaluator pilot. Retirement was less than 6 months ago and current employment is as a Delta Air Lines 737-800 First Officer. I would very much like to continue to serve and fly but am not sure of the possibilities or feasibility for that matter. I can provide further information as needed. Feel free to private message. Any help and/or direction would be certainly appreciated!
From my understanding, once you retire from active duty it's impossible to enter the Guard/Reserves without forgoing your retirement check. I haven't heard of this happening to any active duty retired pilot. Doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Guard/Reserves like to take care of their own in house.
I assumed you remained on active duty and took the aviation bonus instead of leaving early for the airlines. Many Guard/Reserve pilots elected to leave before retirement as you well know and took their chances with the majors. You took the safe approach by the way of retirement and want to serve in the Guard/Reserve now that you have your line number. If you pull this off, you are the man. Can't wait to hear your results.
I've heard different stories about the retirement pay issue. One is that you forfeit the all retired pay whether you are full-time OR part-time guard. the other is that if you are part-time, you only forfeit a prorated amount equal to the days you work in the guard. I have no idea which is correct or even if either is. I have found little info on that portion of the matter. I do know that it is possible to go from retired to Guard/Reserve but is does take a good bit of approval.
I did stay active all the way through retirement and was not really interested in leaving for the airline biz. I'm flying there at the moment for lack of anything else. It's not all it has been made out to be. I would much rather be full-time Guard honestly (I may have to start out with part-time to 'pay my dues to the unit' I would suspect).
Luckily I do receive part of my retirement at the moment (the EX will most likely go after part of it really soon...Active duty life took it's toll on her and she decided it wasn't really for her after quite a few years). I have heard life in the Guard is at least a bit more stable and I bet I'll be home more than I am now with Delta...commuting from west TX to sit reserve out of LAX most of the month for the forseeable future.
I'm sure there are some out there that will have some good info here. And, I'll definitely keep the results posted here if it all does happen.
Thanks for the reply Zaurus...I can only hope that many more will follow!
Like all guard/reserve aviation. Find your job and talk to those in that unit. I would say if its gonna be possible your gonna need a chain of command to support it and endorse it. Good luck.
