You only need to transfer one month to start the clock. I would not transfer more. You can transfer it back to yourself after a month and then transfer it wherever later. No need to transfer it all at once.
Only if you've been in for less than 12 years 1 Jan 2018, everyone else is grandfathered. TERA expires 30 Sep 2018 with a min TIS of 15 years, so there should be nobody dual-eligible for both options.
Wait...what? After the end of FY18, TERA will never be offered again?
This round of TERA can only be offered through FY18. It may be enacted again at a later date.
Until IDP was cut for Dhafra and the Deid, all commanders received a BSM for completing their command tour. Even when the Sq/CC deployments were only 4 months long. As of summer 2014, all commanders only receive an MSM unless they received IDP or HFP while not in flight (must be on the ground).
If you're 2x passed over and not offered continuation, you get out 6 months after the board date and get invol sep pay. If offered continuation and you elect to get out, you lose invol sep pay.
Only non-Reserve flyer O-5s around my base are Sq/CCs and two of four Sq/DOs, the Wg/IG, one random Sq ADO, one Reservist on AD, one MX Sq/CC, and the OG/CD. O-4s are pretty light too.
Those of us who stay because we want to are very much in the minority (anecdotally). I have shaken way too many hands recently and said "thanks for your service, is there anything I can do to help you transition out?"