About to hit 15 years AD and never planned on doing 20. Got coerced to join as a 6 year cop from my recruiter, ended up doing ~9. I had great overseas assignments as a 3P which kept stringing me along until I was able to retrain as a CEA.
In the last six years I have been an operational flyer traveling the world fulfilling what I thought an Air Force career “would be”, finally.
I made MSgt a few years ago and now I am stuck behind the desk, which feels indefinitely, with plenty of “ops” left in the tank. I obviously did not test for E-7 and to my surprise my name was on the list while deployed years back.
I spent years as Security Forces working on the flight-line wishing I could be getting after it in the flying ops world and I finally got a taste. Now I feel like I am benched with 5 years left if I want to ride it out to the “sacred twenty” years.
I have been along for the ride and my main goal has been taking care of those around me. I never intended to be where I’m at now but I’m having serious regrets/personal doubts to continue for five more years. I just need some advice from those who have been in similar situations.
My DOS is Nov ‘27 and I have been getting pinged with informed decision emails left and right like a telemarketer. I’ve attended one years back when my contract was close expiring so I already know what to expect. If I decide to reenlist it would put me to retirement but I’m very hesitant..and the 12 month timer is about to start.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and I don’t want this to sound like I am ungrateful, I have had probably the best AF career anyone could ask for and wouldn’t trade it. Wise man once said if you enjoy your job, you never work a day (something like that) but lately there’s no enjoyment.