Thinking about enlisting in the USAF

[Snapps]

Well I have been thinking of enlisting in the Air Force for awhile now, I just don't think college is right for me right now. I know several AO'ers here are military, just wanted to know why they joined up if its not to personal, how they are liking it, and if they could make any suggestions helpful comments on how to be successful in the military.

[JimmyBeam]

well i was a gov't contractor in Kuwait for a while and thats about the farthest ive gone in gov't service.....and i can say the airforce has the hottest chics out there.....[/drunken rant]

lo; thats probly not a reason to join a certain branch but it helps over there

[Destructo6]

Don't sign without a guaranteed specialty.

Sometimes the recruiter will try to tell you that it's better if you go without one, "so you can see the various jobs before you choose." What really happens is that at some point, usually in boot camp, those without guaranteed jobs get to select from a very short list of open specialties. Those specialties are open because the jobs suck and nobody wants it.

I joined the Navy, along with all the guys in my boot camp company, with a program which stipulated that if you didn't pass a performance test in boot camp, you'd have to pick from the short list. About 40 guys failed and had the choice of cook ("Mess Specialist) or ship painter (deck ape). None were pleased.

All the Marine cooks I ran into had to pick from the short list, too.

Another hint: looks are everything. If you have a squared away uniform, are well groomed, and appear to know what you're doing, people will assume that you're hot stuff. If you look like crap, people will assume you are crap.

MWR runs some paintball fields on Okinawa, if you join the AF (or USMC or Navy) and go to Kadena AFB. At least they did 10 years ago...

[moufo48]

hey i was thinkin about joining that Air Force anyone out there with some info thanks...

[magman007]

If you want to join the airforce, then you probabally have aspirations of being a pilot. If this is true, then go to college for it first. So many people here at k-state are being proposistioned by the government after they graduate, that it is hard to shake a stick at. My instructor for one, has a signed contract with the navy, to start training in th f18d super hornet after graduation. That is a deal and a half. If you just want to do aviation maintinence, again, go to school for it. It just makes things that much better off in the long run. I know there are people here whom did not go to school for things like this, and are doing just fine, im just saying, for the easier route, go to school first. atleast then you have an education you can fall back on afterwards.

[spectre184]

as Destructo6 says it would be a good idea to know what you are going into if all possible. I work full time in Air National Guard. When I graduated high schoool I had no clue on what I wanted to do other than joining the Air Guard. I thought about going active but for some reason I wanted to stay here at home. I wasn't even planning on going to college, which I later did.

The Air Force has over 83 career fields. Everything from paper pushers, fuel aircraft, build/ load munitions, supply, security police, fire fighting, avionics, working various career fields on aircraft, computers & networking, ground comm, electronics and electronic secret squirrel stuff (me). What you do depends on your ASVAB scores. Higher the scores more you can do. After you get in and go thru basic and tech school learn all you can fron your trainer. To help you advance in AF career you have different skill levels. That restricts what you can/can't do in your job by yourself. You obtain next skill level by doing CDC'S (correspondance books) and taking tests at end and being in that skill level for 15 months and being signed off and qualified to do required tasks by your trainer. My suggestion is to get CDC's done ASAP. Especially when you get back from tech school as your 5 level CDC's are pretty much a rehash of your tech school (3 level).

AF has Comunity College of the Air Force where you can get an associates degree. But your degree is loosely based on your job. You will still have to take classes or CLEP tests. If their is a local college you can take classes there and work on your BS degree while on active duty. My AS degree is Avionics Technology. Though I also have a BS in Electronics Technology too.

To advance just keep your nose clean, look sharp, stay out of trouble and do your CDC's and PME's (for promotions) and you'll do fine

and by sig you can see what kind of aircraft we fly

[Caffiend]

If you know what you want to do in the air force, definately get a guaranteed job. If you want to be Security Forces or Services (a cook), go open. That's what most open people get for jobs. Not saying there is anything wrong with those jobs, but most people don't like them. And if you do go Services, you might eventually get to work at the base gym, nothing like handing out towels and basketballs all day and getting a decent check for it. Knock out your CDC's and get your 5 level ASAP. Then hit the books. Even if you plan on making it a career, go to school and get a degree in something. That way if you end up not liking it, you haven't just "wasted" 4-XX years and have nothing to show for it except experience and some kick-*** stories Do you have an idea of what job you want to do?

As for why I joined, pretty much same reason as you, didn't want to go to college. I didn't know what I wanted to do, so I enlisted, six years later, I still have no idea what I want to do The Air Force isn't bad, it's all what you make of it (sounds corny but true, to an extent). Some things will never make sense, you'll find yourself doing things "just because" but that's part of the life. The pay isn't bad, benefits are good, and job security is pretty much assured. And I have to agree with Jimmy up there, the AF definately has the hottest chicks

[can'tthink of1]

I want to be in the air force (fly fighter aircraft, f-15 preferably) , but then I don't have 20/20 uncorrected vision. I don't wear glasses, but they could help for far away stuff. My only option would be to get corrective laser surgery, and yeah, thats not going to happen.

I am a flight fanatic, I love flying and everything about it. For the college I want to go to I am hoping for Embry Riddle Aeronautical college, which gives my the chance to become a professional pilot. But like I don't want to fly big cargo planes, or airline jets, smaller stuff, where I am more free with control.

[OysterBoy]

I'm perhaps a little young to be contemplating this (15), but I also am considering joining either the Air Force or Military. I am of course Canadian, so the 'rules' may be different, but I like what I am hearing. I have some questions of my own for those enlisted, ground units, AF, or otherwise;

-How was the training? AF Guys, were you at all nervous? (Not trying to sound like a pussy, but the thought of flying a personal sized jet at incredible speeds / altitudes is an amazing picture; but I cant help think I'll puss out when the time comes)

-Better then highschool / college ?

-About what percentage of the enlistees would you say were 'incompetent', or, couldn't hack it?

-Have you ever thought "What the *&$@ have I gotten myself into?" ?

Thats about it. Thanks

[Caffiend]

-How was the training? AF Guys, were you at all nervous? (Not trying to sound like a pussy, but the thought of flying a personal sized jet at incredible speeds / altitudes is an amazing picture; but I cant help think I'll puss out when the time comes)

Training was a breeze, it's all mental pressure (Air Force wise, as long as you're already in decent shape mind you). If you can handle someone screaming at you inches from your face and not move, you'll do fine.

-Better then highschool / college ?

I'm sure it depends on your high school/college experience, but I'd have to say better, unless you're talking about just the training portion, then it's....different.

-About what percentage of the enlistees would you say were 'incompetent', or, couldn't hack it?

Incompetent people in the military? We don't have any of those Couldn't hack the training...one out of my flight due to medical problems, that's it.

-Have you ever thought "What the *&$@ have I gotten myself into?" ?

No, not yet, but I've thought "God what I would give to be back in the States soaking between a nice, warm set of thighs." many a time.

Thats about it. Thanks

No problem.

[Warewolf50]

"God what I would give to be back in the States soaking between a nice, warm set of thighs." many a time.
.

That pne deffintly took me by suprise, but also gave me a good laugh.

[spectre184]

-Better then highschool / college ?

Well tech school is way different than highschool or college. In tech school you HAVE to go. Unless your sick then you go to sick call. It's not like college where, ah screw it I'm sleeping in. I'm pretty sure it's still like if you fail a block you get washed back and take it again. If you fail it for the second time then you get a new AFSC (Air Force Specialty Career). Which usually something easier .

Caffiend pretty well summned up rest of points.

[Destructo6]

My only option would be to get corrective laser surgery, and yeah, thats not going to happen.

Why not? The military has started to do this for active duty members. They don't do LASIK for pilots/back seaters, but they will do PRK, iirc. It's really not that bad (LASIK alumni).

My bro flies fighters for the Navy and he's known several guys that have had the procedure.

-Have you ever thought "What the *&$@ have I gotten myself into?" ?

Every morning of boot camp. After boot camp, it was great. My tech school ("A-school" for US Navy types) was probably the most fun I've ever had. I woke up laughing, went to sleep laughing, and laughed everywhere in between. The right attitude and the right buddies make all the difference.

Most of the folks I met in the military were pretty sharp. Probably a bit sharper than your average Joe civillian, but the boneheads slip by. My boot camp company's average ASVAB was 90 or so: pretty good.

OysterBoy, were you considering service in the Canadian military or USA? I ran into several Marines that were Aussies or Brits, so a Canadian probably wouldn't be a problem.

[Eagle]

Well, I'm reminded of an article I read in Maxim a few years ago where they profiled the military as a whole. At one point they interviewed some groundpounder (Army type), and asked him why all the other branches insist the Zoomies (Air Force) are a bunch of pansies. His answer: because we are tuaght to always tell the truth.

But like Destructo6 said, make sure you get everything in writing. I'm in the Navy and got screwed out of an early promotion because I didn't get it in writing. And I would recommend seeing if you can talk to someone in whatever field you're interested in (other than a recriuter) before you sign.

Just remember, it's like any other job, there are good parts, and there are bad.

[guysdaman]

Okay...I'll play!

I joined up right after highschool because I didn't want to go to college. I have been enlisted for almost 14 years and would not change a thing! I have had a blast in the USAF! Great opportunities for travel that's for sure! That doesn't always mean the places you get sent are great but, you have to take the good with the bad. I am currently in Germany at Ramstein AFB (2nd time over hear)...i would have loved to been a pilot but my eyesight is terrible and 14 years ago corrective eye surgery was a thing of the future, plus you gotta be comissoned which means at least a 4 year degree. Don't sign up unless you have a guaranteed job lined up! Heck if you go to a recruiter and he gives you a list of jobs e-mail me and I can most likely tell you what they involve in laymans terms.

My AFSC is 2A5X3B Instruments and Flight Control Systems...I fix the avionics in heavy aircraft. If you are into aviation go with a 2A type career field as they mostly deal with Aircraft Maintenance.

There are also opportunities to fly enlisted...flight engineers, load masters, boom operators, airborne Radar and Comm operators...great careers fields but be expected to deploy even more often, as there are smaller amounts of troops in these career fields.

The Military isn't for everyone but it was a great opportunity for me and I have loved it from the get go. I hope I and my fellow servicemen have been able to help you out.

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at: [email protected]

Cheers,
Guy

P.S.
We have a great paintball field set up over here! I work part time on the weekends there it is a blast!