Leaving the Military and looking for some navigational aids.

I am making my transition from the military to the civilian world in the next 18 months and I am considering my MBA options. I'm an Annapolis grad and have spent the last 4 years overseas. I'm currently working a desk job in DC as my final assignment. I would like to start an MBA program next fall but as I'm still active duty it would only be a part time program for at least the first year.

My question is: What's the conventional wisdom on Part Time vs Full Time? (granted a Part Time program from a prestigious school is better than a Full Time program from U of Phoenix)

I understand that networking and alumni are a huge factor in making your MBA work for you. Will I get the same return on investment from a Part Time program? If not, should I wait until I leave the military and start a Full Time program in fall 2011, and if so, will future employers look at my 2 year gap in work experience following the military as a negative?

Thanks for the support.