Wonder if anybody on this board has join the AF, or any other military branch(excluding HKC). So far I got my careers I want planned out; I took the ASVAB last year and did decently on it, planning on taking it again next Tuesday. I'm looking to leave for BMT on late June. I've already started training for it, but I really really hate running. I'm looking to try and achieve warhawk standard in BMT. I have a few questions for anyone who's currently in, or is an ex-member of the AF. Did you regret joining? How has it improve you, what part did you enjoy most about it? Is there any lies/deception I should watch out for from the recruiter?
I did 10 years in the Navy and I don't regret joining. I would suggest trying to figure out what type of job you like doing and want to do in the AF. There's nothing worse than hating the type of tasks you have to do day in and day out. And don't let them tell you what type of job you should take. Figure it out on your own and don't settle for anything else. Until you are in boot camp, remember that you have leverage despite what the recruiters tell you. In other words, I would tell them "I want this job or else I'm not joining."
I have gone on the Air Force websites and look over the jobs and made a list of the ones that interest me. Unfortunately most of them were Medical and you can only pick on medical out of the 7 careers you want. I have some other careers to fill those spot though. Just wondering, do you get your job assign to you right after BMT or later on, a bit before Tech School? How can you say "you won't join if you don't get a certain job" if you were to go down to SA and already made the pledge? I thought you are suppose to sign a contract while in SA..
Usually, the oath of enlistment is taken on the day you leave for basic training. Not sure what you are talking about when you say pledge. Until you take the oath and sign the enlistment papers(usually done at MEPS), YOU have the leverage.
Yeah, there are programs in any branch where they will pay you your enlistment salary to go to school full time. Once you get your degree, you'll be pinned on as an O-1 pay grade. If you want to go that route, I recommend staying enlisted long enough to get the full benefits of the Post 9/11 bill. The government wont pay for tuition.
Yea, I meant the Oath when I said the Pledge. So, I know you're suppose to choose 7 careers you desire and then they assign the job to you sometimes after BMT. Can you really pressure them by saying I want a certain job? I'm not looking to make a career out of it. I'm just looking for adventure right now. I'm also planning to go to college part-time and plan on getting a associates degree during my enlistment time.
It will pay for tuition while you're in without touching your GI bill. I've used this for a few classes. If your in for adventure, I honestly think the Navy is the way to go. I may be biased though. There's a good chance you will see more places than the other services and hitting a foreign port with your friends is always a great time. Just have an idea as to what job you'd want. Not being funny, but the type of people you work with will be influenced by the job you choose.
I have a best friend in the Navy and he enlisted a while back. He is an intelligence officer now and is stationed overseas. He tells me every chance he gets that it was the best career decision he ever made. If you compare all the military branches to each other, those in the know have always told me that the Navy is the best place for 'intelligent' individuals with higher career aspirations. That is especially true if you are the adventurist type who wants to see the world and enjoy the ride (or the sail, as it may be). I think you will get a chance to use your brain a bit more with the Navy than with the other branches. I imagine the Air Force is very good too and is certainly the elite branch of the military, but it is also a bit more demanding, especially if you want to become a fighter pilot. I would probably avoid the Army and the Marines at all costs, but that is just me
Your initial enlistment process is different from what I went through. I had a contract with a specific job all lined up before I left for boot camp. It was specifically stated in my contract that I would be attending certain schooling after basic training.
My friend is actually thinking about joining the National Guard. He has a meeting with the recruiter today (Friday) actually and I will let you know what happens if you like..
No, I think it's the same, my post might of confuse you. You had to choose 7 careers at MEPS, right? You also sign a contract after choosing that 7 careers. It's still the same now. In my other post, I meant when do they assign that certain career, out of the 7 you desire, you'll be doing during your tenure in the military. I actually thought about joining the Navy last year, but I backed off when I heard that you're stuck on a ship for the most part of the month, only to get 4 days off the ship, at whatever country's port, at the end of each months. That's a little too much for me, lol. I would go crazy being stuck on a ship for the majority of the year. I want adventure, but not too much. More like being stationed permanently at a different country, like Japan or Korea. Learning a new culture and living in a different environment. Plus, I really don't want to go to school right now.
You can try but its not going to make a difference. The air-force doesn't have trouble recruiting people like the other services do, they actually might still be downsizing. In the army or marines you have your job written into your contract at MEPs and if they don't have any slots then they would delay your enlistment until they have one for you. Its probably the same for the navy, but i'm not sure. Its different for the air-force, but you already know. Last I heard you had to choose 5 careers, but I guess they changed it to 7 to give them more leeway to put you wherever your most needed. Just make sure you list the careers you want and whatever you do, don't choose to make your choice open to all careers, if you do they'll toss you into the security forces. I recommend looking into careers that would transition well into the civilian world.
9 years navy here and I regret getting out in the reserves right now thinking about getting back in but actually thought about rejoining a different branch, the AF particularly. I guarantee the Navy does the most port visiting but also the most time away from home unless you on shore duty. I can also say the Air Force is the more people friendly/family friendly outta the 4. They have the least equipment outta them to maintain therefore more money to spend on the family items (housing/recreation/etc).
I am in the Army right now, If i had to give you advice I would tell you to stay away from the military for the next 4 years. I can't give you exact reasoning behind this but i don't want you to get caught up in the INEVIDABLE!! Luckily I am in the process of getting medically discharged. If i were you i would think long and hard about joing any military branch!
I guess I don't apply to the question, but I'll give you my two cents being from Colorado. The Air Force Academy in Colorado is apparently great. I've had quite a few friends join, and they have nothing but good things to say. They all went through and adjustment period, but are happy to be part of something incredibly meaningful as a career. Good luck in your decision.
