Those are some of the hardest words to say, and some of the hardest words to respond to. Most airlines are buying new aircraft and are in the midst of a hiring cycle that makes all previous cycles look insignificant.
Recent studies talk of a pilot shortage, and the airlines are actively courting military aviators.
Such a strong economy makes it tempting to leave Naval Aviation. Meanwhile, times are tough here in the military, with long hours, deployments, time away from home and family. Certainly nobody gets rich on their military income. Most of us have at one time or another thought about leaving, and we must all make that choice at some point. Historically, about two-thirds of the Naval Aviators elect to transition at their first opportunity, and our system is designed to account for this.