Ask me how I did this: Active duty From July 1972-1975 delayed enlistment to get E-1 out of Basic.
Left AF in July of 1975 @ 3years & 6 months early release because Viet Nam had ended. Viet Nam Era Vet.
Returned To DOD Feb 1977 as a Wg-5 Aircraft Electrician.
Enlisted in the AF Reserves to acquire my retirement benefits in 1985. Ended up taking a medical @ 16&1/2 years. Retired Msgt 423x9 1999. All the time still working as a civilian for the DOD. Dont get that mixed up with ARTS. Retired from DOD WS-09 AC maintenance Expediter. Retired the C-141 from McChord in 1999 and continued with the C-17 for 10 more years. Flew with the last C-141 from McChord and returned from Davis Monthan on a C-17 retiring finally from DOD in 2009.
Nearly 37 years with a few breaks and everything added up. Was what they called a double dipper since you cant draw 2 retirements from uncle sugar except for the way I did it. Motorcycles have been my main mode of transportation for nearly 50 years. Retired to a tri glide in 2020. Riding my 70 year old ass to Sturgis in August 2024 from Tacoma, Wa. to Rapid City SD. Oh.... My aching Arse.