Fighter Pilot Question?

Seeming that you are going to retire from the Air Force as a fighter pilot, and was interested in becoming an airline pilot, what other steps would you need to take or do for the transition?

What license do you get from being a Fighter Pilot?

None. The military does not confer any civilian pilot certificates. A military pilot must apply for civilian flying licenses by passing the written exams, submitting evidence of sufficient military flight experience, and then taking the appropriate flight tests to obtain the needed certification. This requires taking a minimum amount of flight instruction (3 hours) in preparation for each flight test. All in all it can cost several thousand to make the conversion.

The US Military does not issue pilot's licenses, BUT… Any pilot who has received appropriate training and accumulated the appropriate flight experience can apply to the FAA for a commercial pilot's license, and can train to become an airline pilot. Military cargo pilots can actually transition to flying for the airlines quicker than fighter pilots because they are already experienced with flying multi-engine jet aircraft and working with a copilot and air crew.

It isn't hard. I have friends that pretty much walked right from the Air Force to the airlines. Right now, the airlines will do just about anything to bring in experienced pilots.

A USAF retiring fighter pilot, most likely a LtCol/squadron commander on YA? What are the odds?

They would need to get all their civilian licenses, if they don't already. Most would have by that point at least a CPL. Would need a ATP for an airline job.
If all they have ever flown is fighters. Would need to have a Center Line Thrust restriction lifted from their license.
Cargo, Tanker and Bomber pilots have a much easier transition. They as a rule have more flight hours. Multi engine, international routes, customs, agriculture, crew coordination, etc etc.

"What license do you get from being a Fighter Pilot?"

You do not obtain any particular "license" as a fighter pilot, or any other type of military pilot. You do receive your wings, and somewhere there's a certificate of graduation from SUPT and a qualification certificate. In the USAF it's called AF Form 8, Certificate of Aircrew Qualification. It does not qualify you to fly an aircraft in civilian operations (under FAA rules).

"What other steps would you need to take or do for the transition?"

The first thing you would do is to take the FAAs "military competency aeronautical knowledge test." You do not need a separate practical test (flight test). As long as you meet the other requirements for the FAA CPC and Instrument rating (which you should as a military pilot), you will receive an appropriate FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument rating. Let's say you flew an F-16 in the AF. You will be issued a CPC with a SINGLE ENGINE LAND rating only, since the F-16 is a single engine aircraft. This won't get you very far in civilian airlines, as they all fly multi-engine aircraft. If you flew an F-15, A-10, C-17 Globemaster, or any other multi-engine aircraft, you will likewise be issued an FAA CPC with multi-engine land ratings.

But let's say you flew a C-40, which is basically a Boeing 737-700. Upon completing the military competency test, you would ALSO be issued a type rating for a Boeing 737-700. You may have to do a little differences training, (particularly if you were to fly a 737-800 or 900).

You will also need an ATP License to fly at the airlines. You need 1500 hours to qualify, and this is where some military pilots could run into trouble, because not everyone leaves the service with 1500 hours. So you may have to get by flying charters for a small operator for awhile with your CPC. The ATP of course requires an additional exam, and ALSO a practical (flight) test. The airlines are paying for the ATP for applicants who have the time but not the certificate, and also the required Certificate Training Program you need before taking the ATP knowledge test.

None of this would be terribly difficult for a competent military pilot.

I do not know the particulars but know you would be going from a drag racing sport bike to driving a Greyhound bus. The transition would bore you out of your tree. IMO