Mohammed Abu Hashem Spent 22 Years in U.S. Air Force. He Quit After Israel Killed His Aunt in Gaza

[Uncle Joe]

As Israel’s war on Gaza enters its 10th month, we speak with Mohammed Abu Hashem, a Palestinian American who ended a 22-year career in the U.S. Air Force after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed his aunt in October. “It was clear to me that I needed to step away,” says Abu Hashem, who served as a first sergeant in the 316th Civil Engineer Squadron of the U.S. Air Force. He recently co-signed a letter with 11 other former U.S. officials who rsesigned over the Biden administration’s policy toward Gaza, Palestine and Israel. “The American people deserve to have a government that follows ethical and moral standards,” says Abu Hashem, who also talks about briefly meeting Aaron Bushnell before the airman died by self-immolation in February to protest U.S. support for Israel.

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[jimfields33]

1. I'm pretty sure it's called retirement as he had 22 years in. I'm sure he must request to leave.

[The Polack MSgt]

3. Retirement is at the service members discretion as long as certain conditions are met

Time in Service - That's generally 20 years for retirement

Time in Grade - if you accept promotion you incur additional service obligation and even if you are over 20, that obligation can keep you in past the 20 year mark.

Additionally, attending certain schools or receiving some bonuses can also incur a longer service commitment.

It's been a while since I retired from the USAF, so other factors may be in play that I'm not familiar with but that's the meat of it.

If you have no service obligations, have over 20 years TIS & have at least 2 years TIG you can apply to retire at any time.

The process took 120 days minimum when I dropped my package, but that is an admnistrative detail that likely just needs an O-6 signature to waiver.

You don't actually have to stay at work for 4 months. There are transition periods given to retiring service members for house and job hunting and you are authorised terminal leave as well.

If you have enough leave saved up, that 120 day period can feel like 2 weeks notice since you'll be doing Permissive Temporary Duty 1st, followed by a couple months leave.

Personally, I'm not mad he left.

If you don't want to be there get gone.

No need to have your anger and opposition to national policy festering in the First Sergeants office. That is a leadership role - The 1st Shirt is a mentor to young enlisted members and an advisor to the Commisioned leadersip of his unit. A disgruntled Senior NCO in that role is a very bad idea.

So I respect his choice to leave.

[jimfields33]

4. I respect his choice too

And I’m of the motto, if you’re not happy, get out. Life’s too short. That goes for any profession.

[questionseverything]

2. K & r

[msongs]

5. hyprocrite... spent 22 years happily pillaging the planet and cashing the checks now suddenly.... nt