Hello, reaching out to any and all airmen or ex-airmen on this platform. Apologies, this is not directly a gun related thread. Looking for similarly minded people’s opinions or experiences. Please feel free to message me directly through USCCA if that’s preferred for you.
I’ve contemplated enlisting in the Air Force in year’s past but have been progressively examining the current political landscape in association with enlisting. I have talked with some airmen I know, but just looking for other’s ideas as well. Primary reasons I’ve thought more about enlisting: 1. Actually fighting for the constitution and pushing against America invaded ideologies fighting against individualism; 2. Protecting my family, and 3. Helping pay down current student loan debt and pursuing further education.
A couple personal details, I have been paying my student loans with no missed payments. I’m in my late 20’s. I do not have the financial backing to make drastic life changes, to regularly practice shootin, or even enroll in physical self defense classes such as jujitsu.
The best advice I would give anyone looking at joining the military is what’s your exit strategy? Find something in the military that can translate into something you can make a career out of in the civilian world. Lots of people go in thinking they’ll do their 20 and leave. Alot can happen ALWAYS have an exit strategy, that doesn’t mean don’t be dedicated and hardworking. It means protect yourself.
Have you taken the ASVAB yet?
Take it.
It will tell you about what the military can really offer you, not just recruiter hype.
Since you’re paying off a student loan, do you already have a college degree? If so maybe consider applying for OCS
If not, take advantage of tuition free college when you enlist. It’s a slick deal.
AND make sure your bride is 100% on board.
FWIW I was former Army, not Air Force, if that matters.
GET IT IN WRITING. I don’t care what blue sky the recruiter is selling. GET IT IN WRITING. if you didn’t GET IT IN WRITING, while being recruited it did not happen. So make sure you GET IT IN WRITING. Hope you are noticing the theme.
Are you stuck on Air Force? If not, take the ASVAB. Find out what your raw AFQT score is, see what each service offers, and what may interest you as well as translate well to civilian life.
If you are college educated maybe Officers school.
I’m retired Air Force, would not trade a minute of the time I spent serving. Above is great advice!!! Especially about is your Wife good with it! She joins every bit as much as you do! Are you going in enlisted or as an officer? What career back ground do you already have? I love my brothers and sisters in every branch of service, don’t rule them out. Take the ASVAB. Remember what President JFK said…"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country ". It ain’t a free ride. I know you know that; but you need to here it more, cause you won’t hear it from the recruiters.
Just to clarify. Hot chicks are more into Rangers than Airmen. I think the Marine exam is completing a coloring book. T he e Navy? Well, look at Popeye’s girl, Oliveoil. Your choice. But I chose Army because my dad was Air Force, otherwise more accurately known as Chair Force.
Daughter just separated after 10 and son working on his 20. Both of them educated courtesy of the AF and son is about to finish his MBA. Both loved their time in. My brother-in-law just retired with 37 years in and loving life. He made Chief and he’s got TWO MBAs courtesy of the AF. My future son-in-law flew for them for 16 years and just recently separated too. We are a hardcore Air Force Family and proud of it!
Its true. If you replace words with grunts, groans and drag your knuckles expect to go in the Army. If you prefer crayons for dessert expect to go in the Marines.
@Josiah If you completed your degree try for OCS. If you didn’t finish school the service will help. I did serve in the Air Force for 16 years, Navy for 6 and as a govie with the Army on Army Staff at the Pentagon. Now serving with all the branches and the alphabet soup as a govie. Every branch has their work cut out for them. Have you considered Space Force? Sounds like a funny question but they have a real purpose. Being a Cyber guy I would point you towards cyber-security. Our next engagement is going to start (and most likely end) in Cyber. The civilian sector is scooping up cyber-security folks at an alarming rate.
I admire the SF guys from all branches of the service. Got to work with pockets of them over the years. Special kind of dedication and sacrifice. Not real easy on married life but doable for special folks. Best wishes,
Some folks that I know retired from the service, got regular jobs aftet that, now on ss. If you can handle it its got to be the way to go. On a side note my father was a cook in the army, he had several opportunities to cook for the air force. Always told me they eat the best. Don’t know if it’s still true.
I have not taken the ASVAB. How can you take that? Is it through a recruiter?
Yes, I do have a college degree. I have heard about OCS school. Using free tuition is definitely a reason for contemplating the military.
I am definitely making sure she is 100% on board. So far she has been, but I want to make sure she’s 1,000%. Hah.
Officer route would absolutely be worth looking into!!
Most branches have and program to go from enlisted to officer if time was a factor for getting in.
That’s definitely something I have heard. No writing, no can do. I guess I’m not technically stuck on the Air Force, but I have heard the Air Force provides the best benefits. I have not taken the ASVAB. Do you take that through a recruiter? I have a degree and have heard about OCS school. I likely would go through OCS rather than normal basic. At least I think.
Since you’re not stuck on Air Force, definitely get your ASVAB score and talk to each branch. You know recruiters are salesmen but there are a ton of vets here obviously willing to give you their opinions. But at the end of the day it’s your enlistment/commission. Do what fits you best, you’re way ahead of alot of people reaching out in this community
Definitely making sure the wife is on board. So far so good, but we’re not too far into the weeds yet. I think officer since I have college education. I work as an Athletic Trainer, which is healthcare but not as recognized as other healthcare professions. I just have heard that the Air Force has the best benefits. I guess I’m not hard set on the Air Force.
I did finish school and currently working in the field from which I graduated, in healthcare. Although I don’t have much experience in cyber, I have have been considering a career change but feel tied down to my current role due to student loan debt. I definitely agree, cyber technology has already taken over and will likely continue to do so. I’m also not a fan of many current practices of big tech companies. I don’t think I’m that special of a person, but my work ethic is better than majority of the people I have grown up around. I have not fully understood the duties of Space Force, but would be interested to hear more.