Longest Time In Grade
05-09-2011, 03:23 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Retired
Posts: 404
Longest Time In Grade
I think I saw something like this once in the Air Force Times. Just wondered if anyone might like to post some interesting "records". I pinned on 0-4 in 10 years, 4 months and 8 days. Retired as an 0-4 12 years, 7 months and 16 days later. I guess they were really serious about the Masters Degree, Air Command and Staff College, and jobs above Wing Level. I did however stay in an operational flying job the entire time. Went to my airline job "current".
05-09-2011, 03:33 AM
#2
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Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,807
05-09-2011, 03:34 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
You beat me, but there was no way for me to stay in past 20 as an O-4 - so you had opportunity that wasn't available to me.
I did end up being the senior O-4 in the USMC for at least 3 months though!
Those last 4 years flying were all worth it too!
USMCFLYR
I did end up being the senior O-4 in the USMC for at least 3 months though!
Those last 4 years flying were all worth it too!
USMCFLYR
05-09-2011, 04:02 AM
#4
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Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: holding pattern
Posts: 128
I think I saw something like this once in the Air Force Times. Just wondered if anyone might like to post some interesting "records". I pinned on 0-4 in 10 years, 4 months and 8 days. Retired as an 0-4 12 years, 7 months and 16 days later. I guess they were really serious about the Masters Degree, Air Command and Staff College, and jobs above Wing Level. I did however stay in an operational flying job the entire time. Went to my airline job "current".
Zach
05-09-2011, 04:26 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Retired
Posts: 404
As they say, timing is everything. I was about ready to get the boot when Desert Storm came along. Did that for awhile and then somehow just got lost in the system. Life was pretty good so I figured, why not hang around and just see what happens. Besides, 1991-1993 was not a real good time for an old guy (43 at the time) to be looking for an airline career.
05-09-2011, 07:57 AM
#6
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Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Retired Naval Aviator
Posts: 377
I'm an O-4 at 18 years and 1 month...on my last navy tour, a flying tour. Matter of fact, I've had only 1 non-flying tour in my 18 years...though my flight time doesn't show it 
Too many COD flying tours or should I say, on paper, it was a flying tour 
Too many COD flying tours or should I say, on paper, it was a flying tour
05-09-2011, 06:28 PM
#7
Get me outta here...
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: Boeing right seat
Posts: 1,541
I might have beat you, had things not improved:
I was pinned on O-4 on 1 April 1997.
I was well on my way to retiring as an O-4 in 2011, but got picked up for O-5 in August 2007... 10 years, 4 months later.
I was pinned on O-4 on 1 April 1997.
I was well on my way to retiring as an O-4 in 2011, but got picked up for O-5 in August 2007... 10 years, 4 months later.
05-09-2011, 07:53 PM
#8
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Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: UnemploymentJet
Posts: 314
I think I saw something like this once in the Air Force Times. Just wondered if anyone might like to post some interesting "records". I pinned on 0-4 in 10 years, 4 months and 8 days. Retired as an 0-4 12 years, 7 months and 16 days later. I guess they were really serious about the Masters Degree, Air Command and Staff College, and jobs above Wing Level. I did however stay in an operational flying job the entire time. Went to my airline job "current".
So you got me beat by one month, 16 days if my math is correct.
I had a DP to O-4 but no school slot. Had about 15 hours toward my Masters when the AF changed their policy and said Masters' were no longer required. I was a DO at a small detachment was extremely busy. I welcomed the chance to dump my Masters classes and I took the AF at their word. Big mistake.
Like you, I stayed operational the whole 24 years, did a 6-year stint working AF-1 advance duties as an additional duty (something that wouldn't have been possible had I made O-5) and have no regrets. It would have been nice to have the extra retirement pay though....
05-09-2011, 08:35 PM
#9
China Visa Applicant
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Midfield downwind
Posts: 1,928
Certainly a lot of us took the bait on that one...and paid the price a couple years later.
05-20-2011, 01:46 AM
#10
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Position: HC-130P Instructor Pilot
Posts: 69
Pinned on 0-4 in May '02...Actually that's the official date...Pinned in Sep '04....Made 0-4 while on IRR status and no one told me or the AF when I re-entered AD. Impersonnated a 0-3 for 2 1/2 years...awesome!! Been 0-4 since and always will be. Still going, no staff tours, just flying all the while. Feel lucky everyday I wake up. Best to everyone.
Kenn
Kenn
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