we had two air force recruiters come into my english class today and the way they made it sound was too good to be true. Free meals , free studio appartment , free college and they pay you if you are working while going to school. Also they said that unless you are a pilot you will not go into combat which is what really sold me. is this too good to be true? Is anyone enlisted and wants to share their expierences

 

The Air Force is probably one of the best services to go into. I grew up as an Air Force Brat and saw what my dad did. As far as combat, if you join any branch of the military you have to understand that your primary business is to kill people and break things. So any position in that organization has the potential to see combat. Flight crews are not pilots but support personnel that fly with the aircraft (cargo, bombers etc). They are also usually enlisted personnel.

The better jobs usually go to the officers (pilots, navigators, command etc). To be an officer you either go through the acadamy in CO Springs or through an ROTC program at a college. All officers are college graduates. If you join right out of high school and are getting the college benefit you will be an enlisted man (PERSON?). You can get from enlisted to officer but it is difficult.

People I've talked to have told me that it seemed the AF had better more modern basses and better services. The duty is usually better because after combat the planes can usually fly home. In the Army or Marines after combat you go back to your tent.

 

Well, I don't if I am all that qualified to answer after spending only 19 yrs in as enlisted but I will try. There are no condo's! we do have the best facilities and the best opportunities to grow. There are combat jobs for enlisted. They are in the specal ops side of the house though. one thing, you don't have to be in combat to make the ultimate sacrifice. Currently there is free tuition to go to school and most supervisors, such as myself, try to make arrangements when we can to make this happen. We train our people to think for themselves, unlike other branches. That is why we have stricter standards. there is high ops tempo
for all branches now but we go in style! We are always looking for good people but just one thing. If you aren't responsible or cannot follow rules then STAY HOME! It's not hard to what you have to and stay out of trouble but the military is a different way of life and people tend to think that its like being in the civilian world. After all, where else can u go to jail for not coming to work? if you want more info write. I would be happy to answer any qustions I can for you.

 

From my signature, you will see that I had a career as an Army enlisted soldier.

One of the least understood aspects of American life is the all-volunteer military.

Recruitment is very hard, and so the recruiters tend to paint a very cool picture, and tend to not let you know of the down side.

I personally believe there is no better education, opportunity to gain experience and wisdom, or chance to explore your own strengths and weaknesses, than the military.

Many stay for a career because of they are part of a great new family, others are stuck economically, and others find, as they get up in the ranks, that there is no easier job.

Only the weakest, stupidest, and unmotivated US citizens do not benefit from the experience, and we are fairly efficient in putting them back on the "street".

Everyone else gains so much knowledge, skill, and maturity that after 4 to 6 years of service, they are much more competitive on the job market than a similar aged civilian.

They also gain many other key traits that I think America needs much more of: True camaraderie, patriotism, love of community, and a sincere interest in how America is governed.

Each of the services has hundreds of job skills they need and almost all will teach you the job.

Before you decide to "Go Air Force" or any other service, do a lot a question asking.

Evaluate what you really might enjoy doing as your lifes' work.

Want to be a pilot, electronic repairman, make maps, blow things up, maybe build roads and bridges? If you can think of a job or business, the military has it, and trains Americas sons and daughters to do it.

Also go to as many military bases as possible and ask folks there, how they like it, and what they would do differently.

There are a whole lot of veterans here and I am sure they will mostly encourage you to GO FOR IT!!

Here is a key hint.... THEY want you... that means you have power to decide yes or no, and usually can get the job you want.

Any time any service offers big cash bonus to enlist... the Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) they are recuiting for is hard to get people into because it is a tough hard job. An example is Army Infantry Scout.....(think ruck sack and feet)

 

If you are in High School with no plans to go to college this fall, go into the Air Force and save yourself the time spend as a manager at McDonalds.

The AF is a great service too.

Ranger
USN-Ret

 

GO ARMY!!!!!

 

I was AF enlisted from 85-89 and I would say those were some of the best years of my life. You'll make the best friends you will ever have, and have the opportunity to go places you could otherwise only dream about (3 years in Athens Greece for me). One thing I would recommend however is that you do at least one tour before doing something like getting married. Military life can be tough on a marriage if your spouse isn't as commited to the lifestyle as you are.
As far as careers go, the choices are unbelievable. I joined up wanting to learn to be an electronic tech, and ended up learning Russian language and flying in RC-135 recon aircraft. Even in peacetime we wore combat crew badges and in my short time I earned the expeditionary medal and air medal with two oak leafs. I never thought I would want an "action" job, but once you try it, you could be hooked. Like I say, the choice is yours and whatever you choose, you will have an awesome time of it. Go for it!

 

That's not necessarily true. In the Coast Guard I saved lives and property. Hard for the Guard!

 

I am currently AF enlisted, 20 years old, have been in for 3 years. I am a Senior Airman (SrA) I am not going to lie, I am broke, I also have a new truck and a project ustang, I have owned 5 NICE cars since I have been in, I spend most of my money on crap, mainly gas, (I drive at least 3000 miles a month)
I am engeged, that is why. (Long distance) I live off base with two roomates, 15 miles from base, We have a 4 bedroom house in the suburbs. If I was single, did not drive a new truck (Stuck with my old ranger) and made some better automotive buying decisions (not bought the lousy chebys) I would be making bank, I do not make alot of money, but if you do not spend alot, i.e. do not eat steak every day actually eat ramon every day get a good on gas truck i.e. 6 cylinder.....

sometimes I wish I had gone to school instead, I would have my bachelors next year and make more in 2 years than i will make in my first 6 yers in the military. remember you do not get paid alot, no matter what rank or benefits. However the military wil take care of you if you let them, and the will show you how to live nice without a large paycheck.......I was sleeping on an old army WW2 cot and my clothes where on the floor because I had no dresser, my TV waws on an empty crown royal box I got from the shoppette.....that was a month ago. Since then from the airmans attic, for free, I have gotten a King size bed, and two matching dressers, granted they were all used, and not in perfect shape, but htey were free and they will get me by for a while, I say it is up to you. There are alot of ups and dows, certain people are not military material, I am not...it is very hard for me to stay out of trouble, I fight the military way alot, it is just the type of person I am. Well good luck, make the decision right for you, remember military pay borders on welfare, wehre as out of collage you should be able to make alot more.

 

Some of what he said is truee, however if you listen you will hear him say that he is the cause of his own troubles. Yes, we don't get paid alot and sometimes it seems that our benifits arent the best but where else do you get 30 days paid vacation a year, free med. and dental and dependent care? As I said earlier, it doesn't cost to go to school now. A few months ago they started free tuition, where else are you going to get that? It isn't an easy life. You will find yourself deployed alot, depending on what job you go into. But we do take comforts with us. All in all, it's not a bad way of life, just different. As I tell my airmen, make the most of it and if you don't like it, don't reenlist. Just get your schooling done and the experiance you take with you will be invaluable.

 

I have a meeting set up with my local recruiter today at 5 , my parents are coming because it sounds too good to be true and i probably misunderstood some of the things he said . Even if i did it sounds like a great deal and i would really liek to enlist

 

Slow DOWN young man, remember my hint....

THEY want (need) YOU, the recruiter is the USED CAR SALESMAN!

THEY will still need you next month and the month after.

Spend a few WEEKS checking it ALL out.

Reason I am carping on this is...

YOU keep referring to IT as a DEAL to good to be TRUE... it is

I think every American should serve their country some way, and I am OK if that "way", is to simply get an education and contribute to the work force and not be a welfare slob...

I have had the terrible job of having to get MISSIONS done with TOO many young soldiers that had NO business being in the military.

Some of it was their fault, but I can tell you for a fact, that many good citizens are fed a line of sh it and enlist in jobs they have no idea about.

Then comes the realization that I (the First Sergeant) OWN their body and soul. Most of the Sergeants will be more like a Father and NOT like a typical "company boss". Very hard for most young men to get used to.

In today's society, many parents are not actively involved in EVERY single thing their child does. And these young men and women have a VERY hard time conforming to Military life.

The transition is INFINATLY better if you KNOW EXACTLY what you are getting and what YOU are GIVING.

Besides, at this tender age you probably have not really though long and hard about what your LIFES work (your contribution) should be, and perhaps you have not really thought how great an opportunity the next 4 to 6 years can be LEVERAGED towards your LIFES goals.

Trust me young man, you can make a VERY SHREWD and WISE choices getting the Military to train and mold you.

BUT you also could make the BIGGEST MISTAKE OF YOUR LIFE!!!

(getting thrown out of the military will close MANY doors)

SUCCESFULLY completing you enlistment will OPEN, or give you the key to open, almost every Door to the future.

 

Stay out of maintenance career fields and get a comm job 3COxxx of some sort that offers a selective Reenlistment bonus and allows you to go to school. Working in maintenance or the flightline can be very long and odd hours that will affect your long term goals of school and home life. Maintenance is not for the weak minded. It`s a lot of stress. I have been a jet eng mech(Engine Troop) for 11+ years and i love it. I have over 7 of it working in a Jet engine test facility where we test engines and trouble shoot problems. I love it and the air force is a wonderful family if you are dedicated to it. I also worked the flight line for most of my other years and there was nothing better than seeing a jet take off in saudi with live ammo and come back empty knowing you did your job well and to the best of your ability. Remember what all these guys are saying as it is pretty much right on and dont let the recruiter mislead you. He IS a used car salesman. They will tell you anything you want to hear to get there good recruiting numbers. There have been some very trying moments in the air force but what it boils down to is working hard everyday and be motivated to learn as much as possible. Go to school if you do join and get a degree. Then if you decide to stay in try and join Officer Training school and be an officer. They are treated so much better than us and get paid a lot more. We also are involved in things to help our local communities and schools. The Air Force is a big commitment so make sure it is what you want. I have become pretty good at biting my tongue when officers are around being concerned about painting s#*t instead of getting us tools and such things that we realy need. Well, good luck bro! Let us know what you decide.

MotoX

 

i think the navy is good

 

Ok, it's time for the Navy to step into this thread

Actually, I'm not going to service-bash. The military is a great experiance regardless of your branch. The key is this: Decide what you want to do for a living, and then decide which branch of the service can offer it to you. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
It's true that there are important differences between the services, but you have to start with what you want to do in the military.

Air Force is generally regarded as having the "Hotel services", such as nice landscaped bases, quality dineing facilities and barracks.

I can tell you from personal experiance that the Navy has the absolute BEST schools you'll find in the military. The Navy does not joke around when it comes to training. The majority of Navy schools are acredited (sp?), so you can apply them towards college degrees.

The Marines are the toughest group of people in the Military. These guys recieve the best combat training available in the regular forces. If you want to be a Marine, you better like to run and do push-ups.

The Army also has a lot of job opportunities and choices of duty stations. I know they have a lot of different schools, but you'll have to ask an Army guy about their quality, I haven't really heard anything about them.

The military IS NOT for everyone. If you can handle taking orders and being yelled at and doing things you don't want to do, then it's not the place for you. You won't be doing your primary job 24/7. There are endless mundane jobs to be done. From cleaning to painting to standing watch.

I'm also concerned about your implication that you don't want anything to do with combat. Nobody want's to go in to combat where people are trying to kill you. But if you're saying you joining the military is hinged on the believe you will never be put in harms way, then don't do it. We don't need people like that. I had sailors work for me who were only in it for themselves, and when push came to shove they could not be counted on.

Military Service is inherently dangerous. Even if you are not directly invlolved in fighting, you can still be stationed in a combat zone. There is always the threat of terrorist action. You're job may even be more dangerous than combat. Just ask any Sailor about the dangers of shipboard life. It's the same for everybody in the military.

There are plenty of benifits though. It's an experiance that will set you up for success for the rest of your life. It's something you can be proud of. You'll always have a steady pay check, You'll always have a place to eat and sleep. You'll always have friends who can help you when you need it. You'll never pay a dime for medical care. $250,000 of life insurance will cost you $16.00 a month. You're uniform brings you instant respect where ever you are in the world.

Take your time and research things fully. Don't rely solely on your recruiter. Remember, a recruiter will not lie to you outright, but he will put the best possible spin on the information he gives you. He is a salesman. He will also not volunteer information. It's your responsiblity to do your research and ask inteligent questions.

As you can probably tell, I love my job. They pay me to blow airplanes and missiles out of the sky with high explosives I get to lauch rockets from the ship, nice big loud ones I work on advanced electronics, radar's, and computers every day. Skills that serve me well in civilian life later on. I've been to places I never would have gotten to go otherwise. The military can be a great place, but make sure it's for you before you join.