Question for Veterans and Active Duty Personnel

[Okie RP fan]

I've been considering joining the Air Force, for various reasons.

Would any of you recommend joining at this point in time? Is it worth it? My biggest complaint is that I don't want to be too far from family and home while serving.

Any responses are appreciated, thanks.

 

[mtr1979]

From personal experience whenever someone asks for advice they already have their mind up on what they are going to do. As far as whether or not to joining at this time all I can tell you is that today is just like any other time in history no one knows what the future brings. Will the US declare war on Iran? Will we be at peace for the next few years?
Your next issue: not wanting to be away from your family. Honestly if this is your biggest concern please don't waste your time. I'm not trying to be harsh here, but what happens if you get stationed in Thule Air Base in Greenland?
Now for real talk since you already have your mind made up on joining. Whatever your recruiter tells you, DO NOT sign a six year contract.
Pick an AFSC that gives you some real world skills so when you get out you're not just another statistic.
As far as AFSC's go which ever one you pick will limit your duty locations to which you can be assigned. For example let us say that your recruiter hooks you up with cool job. That job may not be so cool because as a 3 level you may only be able to go to a handful of bases.
Here is a link to various Air Force jobs:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjobs.htm
Just do some exploring click on a job and go to "Air Force Assignment Locations"
By the way I spent 4 years in the Air Force, and no I didn't enjoy it. I had an 88 on my ASVAB, but I'm colorblind. In retrospect I should have walked out of MEPS when they showed my the 10 jobs I qualified for, but I didn't so live and learn.

 

[Dr.3D]

I know I wouldn't advise my sons to join any branch of the military unless Ron Paul becomes president.

 

[realtonygoodwin]

I joined the Air Force under a 6 year contract a couple years ago, and financially it was a good choice. If it will bother you to move away from your family, you won't enjoy it. Choose your job carefully, don't trust your recruiter to always have your best interests in mind. I picked a job that can go to many bases, pays very well on the outside, and gives me hope that I can actually make a difference.

I recommend checking out afforums.com and asking them if you have any questions.

 

[Icymudpuppy]

I know I wouldn't advise my sons to join any branch of the military unless Ron Paul becomes president.

Given the willingness of every other candidate to start unnecessary wars, I have to agree with this statement.

 

[Okie RP fan]

Thanks for all of the advice, everyone. I will take every bit of it into consideration.

 

[libertarian4321]

If you want to be near your family, the military is not the right career.

However, if you want the military benefits, with minimal chance of getting killed, it can still be done.

Join the Navy.

 

[vechorik]

I would never enlist in any branch as an enlisted person. You "might" get the school you apply for, but no guarantee you'll actually do that job, and the pay is terrible. Enlisted people have absolutely "NO say-so" as to where they will be stationed. Best to go to college, then enlist as an officer.

You can consider National Guard to stay near home. I know someone that just did that. Got a "full time" National Guard job.

Recruiters just want a signature. Don't trust them to tell you the truth. Best talk with someone in the branch you're considering.

 

[Keith and stuff]

I was in the Army. I do not recommend joining. I recommend going to a local tech school while living cheaply with family or friends. Spend the time while not in school working part time or at an internship in the same field you are studying in tech school.

If you do decide to join, make sure you write a will and say your goodbyes to everyone you care about. Tell them you may never see them again and that you care about them. Get ready to suffer for possibly years in a foreign nation that the US government is at some type of war with for no good reason. Get ready for the possibility that you may kill innocent people and never fully recover from such actions.

 

[Pericles]

In the end, you will end up deployed where the AF needs you.

That, said, there are some good gigs in the AF - one of my friends described it as almost being in the military in the AF, as a rule (except for what they call the Air Commandos an base defense personnel), the officers fight, and the enlisted are support personnel.

If adventurous, be part of a FAC team - the AF thinks this jobs sucks, so they used to pay a big bonus for you to do it. This job is to be attached to an Army brigade HQ, driving a pilot around. Yep, you will get a bit dirty, sleep in a tent from time to time, and may have to change a flat tire or a HMMWV part. By army standards it is an easy job that pays well.

 

[oyarde]

Given the willingness of every other candidate to start unnecessary wars, I have to agree with this statement.

Myself as well unless you are in some dire circumstances where it is your only good option . In that case , I would suggest the Coast Guard or Navy ....

 

[Okie RP fan]

Again, thanks for the tips and discussion, everyone.

 

[oyarde]

Heres the deal , In the Air Force you may get assigned to the Dakota's or something and never see anything , rank is slower in the Marines , Air Force , Coast Guard , which is not a big deal , except that is how you get a raise. In the Navy , you are fairly safe , likely get a chance to see more . The Corp and the Army are dangerous , if you take an Army combat job.

 

[Icymudpuppy]

As an Army Trainer, when ground forces are needed in Iraq and Afghanistan, my training unit gave Airforce, Navy, Airguard and Navy reserve units a crash course in Army Basic training and a crash course in advanced individual training suitable for the Army MOS they would be performing overseas. The Airforce and Navy are not safe.

 

[RiseAgainst]

I recomend Air Force to everyone considering military service. I served as the President of the Vets club on my Universities campus and am still active with them. The majority of our vets are AF guys, and although it is at times fun to be the 'hard' guy in the room who can talk about his combat infantry experience, the reality of the situation is that all of them came out of service with great technical skills, many as fully certified aircraft mechanics or electrical technicians, etc. I on the other hand came out of the service knowing how to shoot guns at people and what shrapnel from a 155mm arty shell feels like burning deep inside your leg...

 

[oyarde]

As an Army Trainer, when ground forces are needed in Iraq and Afghanistan, my training unit gave Airforce, Navy, Airguard and Navy reserve units a crash course in Army Basic training and a crash course in advanced individual training suitable for the Army MOS they would be performing overseas. The Airforce and Navy are not safe.

True , but on avg , safer than others . You are right to point out that in the end , anyone can be pressed into an area of need. One of my Grandfathers was a clerk in WW II , went in in 42 ,he served as a rifleman in the battle of the bulge , after the war in Europe was over , he was sent to the Pacific because he did not have enough "points" , only having been wounded once.

 

[Shorting]

nope.