Casie 0 #1 June 13, 2003 I'm thinking of joining the airforce My career is not heading in the direction I had hoped I do have a 4 year degree & just turned 28 this month. Does anyone want to give me pro's con's on any of this, it would really help out tremendously. No, I have not talked with a recruiter yet but have their number when I'm ready. I want to have as much info as possible & have already done quite a bit of research online.~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canuck278 0 #2 June 13, 2003 Hey casie, well I don't know much about the US air force but I'm in the NAVY. Depending on what job you get you could expect to be away quite a bit. I have only been at home in my place for 8 months out of the last 2 and a half yrs. But I have got too see a lot of the world. But i'm sure there is a few Air force peeps around here who will jump in....you want to be a pilot or what? Steve Steve Therapy is expensive, popping bubble wrap is cheap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 June 13, 2003 Talk to Wingnut and JTval, they're both in the USAF right now.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laurel 0 #4 June 13, 2003 I don't know if I could get through basic training without crying and I'm not a fan of the outfits they wear. I know that's snotty, but it's the darn truth. ..................................................................... PMS#28, Pelogrande Rodriguez#1074 My Pink M Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #5 June 13, 2003 As told to me by some former Corps of Cadets buddies who dropped out of college and joined the Air Force..."Basic was a walk, not hard at all and the PT is nothing."--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casie 0 #6 June 13, 2003 Quote....you want to be a pilot or what? Not really sure what I want to do I mainly want to go to better my education. Hey, maybe I'll like it & want to stay forever! I do luv to travel~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casie 0 #7 June 13, 2003 QuoteTalk to Wingnut and JTval, they're both in the USAF right now. Cool, Thanx! I'm on it~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #8 June 13, 2003 Basic is a joke, and Boot (AF version) is even easier.. Basic training is simply the largest game of "simon says" ever played...if you remember that its a breeze..____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,534 #9 June 13, 2003 You're going to get older no matter what you do -- will being in the Air Force be an interesting way to get older? Very possibly. It's a direction, and one that you definitely take, as opposed to just letting it happen to you. I have a friend who joined the Navy at about the same age because he was bored. He had a master's in computer science, and he joined as enlisted to "get the real experience." He did say that part of it was a mistake . As far as pro's, well, I haven't been in the USAF, but if you like change, I'll bet you'll get it, and being a veteran if you leave after 4 years will be good. If your career isn't going in a particularly interesting direction right now, this won't derail you, and it might help find a different one. The armed services tend to be a little more flexible in how they assign people sometimes, rather than cherry picking for the person who already has the experience. The cons I can think of are the pay isn't great (but as an officer it's not awful either), and it might make maintaining a long-term relationship hard if you're ready to get into one. Good luck either way -- you'll do great. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casie 0 #10 June 13, 2003 QuoteI don't know if I could get through basic training without crying and I'm not a fan of the outfits they wear. I know that's snotty, but it's the darn truth. Yeah, I have a tendency to get my feelings hurt at one point or another & don't really care about the wardrobe. I just want to somehow feel I'm going to be happy in my future career....doing something I enjoy; ya know?~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casie 0 #11 June 13, 2003 QuoteI have a friend who joined the Navy at about the same age because he was bored. He had a master's in computer science, and he joined as enlisted to "get the real experience." He did say that part of it was a mistake . I feel exactly the same. I'm bored & don't like my job. I have a degree in court reporting but choose not to go there either. I guess I'm being picky! Did your friend not like basic training? I feel I'm in a good situation considering I'm not married, nor do I have children. What do I have to lose except getting older~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aero04 0 #12 June 13, 2003 First off, I'm not in the military but I've talked to a couple of recruiters and my dad's been in the military for 20+years. So what I know is what I saw at the armory and what he has told me over the years. Whatever the recruiter tells you you'll be doing, be sure to get it in writing. I have heard stories from dad, his friends from his military days that SOME RECRUITERS will promise you everything to get you to sign, but deliver very little. So get a "contract" from them: This is what I want and this is what the Air Force will do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casie 0 #13 June 13, 2003 QuoteBasic is a joke, and Boot (AF version) is even easier.. Basic training is simply the largest game of "simon says" ever played...if you remember that its a breeze.. Glad to hear that Check....got it, thanx!~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #14 June 13, 2003 QuoteAs told to me by some former Corps of Cadets buddies who dropped out of college and joined the Air Force..."Basic was a walk, not hard at all and the PT is nothing." That's the truth - it's softer than football camp.. Anybody who can't make it thru 6 weeks of USAF basic in San Antone can't hack it it life, period."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casie 0 #15 June 13, 2003 QuoteSo get a "contract" from them: This is what I want and this is what the Air Force will do. Thanx! Always get it in writing I hope this doesn't damage my skydiving too much?????~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DJL 235 #16 June 13, 2003 QuoteYeah, I have a tendency to get my feelings hurt at one point or another & don't really care about the wardrobe. You do realize that there is an association between the military and fighting wars or are you kidding?"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Guest #17 June 13, 2003 QuoteI'm thinking of joining the airforce My career is not heading in the direction I had hoped I do have a 4 year degree & just turned 28 this month. Does anyone want to give me pro's con's on any of this, it would really help out tremendously. No, I have not talked with a recruiter yet but have their number when I'm ready. I want to have as much info as possible & have already done quite a bit of research online. I've been gone for a long time now (ETS'd in 1985), but I doubt it's changed much. Amazon and I are both USAF vets; jtval and Wingnut are current active duty - get with them for what's going on now. As with all things, there is good and there is bad. The bad is long, lonely days doing "Halls & Walls" far from home (when you're junior enlisted you sometimes get press-ganged to do shit jobs; e.g., mowing lawns buffing floors, etc. Though that may have changed somewhat by now, there are still lttle shitty jobs that always need to be done, and junior enlisteds are easy targets - heh). Then there is all the piddly military BS that you have to put up with. Also, be prepared to give up your constitutional rights - you haven't got any - your ass belongs to Uncle Sam and the UCMJ until 72 hours after you ETS, and even then you'll be on "inactive" reserve, so you still aren't free. There are other social issues, which I will be glad to discuss if you care to PM me. The good side is that you get to play with nifty, expensive hi-tech toys. I did F-15 Avionics, and got to work on some kewl stuff. A hitch in the service also looks good on your resume - can't go wrong with that. It will also give you a tremendous sense of self-discipline and direction, if you're young, aimless, and lacking in such things as I was at 19. However, if you've got a four-year degree, I would make every effort to get a commission and become an officer. You get even more BS to put up with, it's true (Wingie, jt - what's an "SLJO"? hehehe), but you get a better standard of living (your own quarters, instead of shared, young kids in cammies salute you a lot, etc. )"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Laurel 0 #18 June 13, 2003 QuoteQuoteYeah, I have a tendency to get my feelings hurt at one point or another & don't really care about the wardrobe. You do realize that there is an association between the military and fighting wars or are you kidding? She is referring to my post about basic training not going to war. Ease up there, cowboy. Plus there are lots of jobs in the military other than combat...................................................................... PMS#28, Pelogrande Rodriguez#1074 My Pink M Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Guest #19 June 13, 2003 QuoteFirst off, I'm not in the military but I've talked to a couple of recruiters and my dad's been in the military for 20+years. So what I know is what I saw at the armory and what he has told me over the years. Whatever the recruiter tells you you'll be doing, be sure to get it in writing. I have heard stories from dad, his friends from his military days that SOME RECRUITERS will promise you everything to get you to sign, but deliver very little. So get a "contract" from them: This is what I want and this is what the Air Force will do. At the bottom of the contract it says in big type (paraphrased)-- "ANY OTHER PROMISES THAT ARE NOT IN WRITING HERE WILL NOT BE HONORED""The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zenister 0 #20 June 13, 2003 QuoteTalk to Wingnut and JTval, they're both in the USAF right now. Biker Babe is an officer too, so she could give you a different perspective..____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites LouDiamond 1 #21 June 13, 2003 I believe it has already been stated but keep in mind that it's not another form of college tuition, you very well may have to serve your country in time of conflict. That can be as simple as deploying to another country or location until it ends. If your joining just to get more college money keep in mind the flip side of the coin. If you aren't happy doing what your doing now be damn sure you know what you want to do in the Military because quiting or changing jobs is not usually an option. Do the research and go into the MOS (Military Occupation)field that you feel best suits you."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jtval 0 #22 June 13, 2003 casie! can you asay cakewalk? if you have ANY athletic ability basic is a joke! the whole "simon says" things is just a gam eto see if you can work uinder pressure....hmmm I guess skydiving has proven that! some of the policies are retarded but once you find the rule book you can pretty easily use them to your advantage!My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites wmw999 2,534 #23 June 13, 2003 He didn't like being an enlisted man. He said he would have been fine as an officer, but that as an enlisted man he was bored stupid -- with the degree, they would only assign him office work, and enlisted where he was only did fairly easy office work. Obviously YMMV. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Casie 0 #24 June 13, 2003 Quotecasie! can you asay cakewalk? if you have ANY athletic ability basic is a joke! the whole "simon says" things is just a gam eto see if you can work uinder pressure....hmmm I guess skydiving has proven that! some of the policies are retarded but once you find the rule book you can pretty easily use them to your advantage! Thanx, that's some reassurance that was well needed! Yeah, I think I can do pushups, situps & run. Has this dampered your jumping at all? I know basic training lasts 6 straight weeks but do you get to jump monthly?~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflir29 0 #25 June 13, 2003 I was in for 9 years 6 months 6 days. I'd say most of it was good. Obviously it wasn't perfect or I wouldn't have left in Dec 2000. However, I got to do a lot of things MOST people only see in the movies and I wouldn't trade all those years, both good times and bad, for anything. Just make sure you know what it is you want to do. The AF is pretty good about getting you a contract for the job you want. Just make sure you read all the fine print. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 1 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. 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DJL 235 #16 June 13, 2003 QuoteYeah, I have a tendency to get my feelings hurt at one point or another & don't really care about the wardrobe. You do realize that there is an association between the military and fighting wars or are you kidding?"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #17 June 13, 2003 QuoteI'm thinking of joining the airforce My career is not heading in the direction I had hoped I do have a 4 year degree & just turned 28 this month. Does anyone want to give me pro's con's on any of this, it would really help out tremendously. No, I have not talked with a recruiter yet but have their number when I'm ready. I want to have as much info as possible & have already done quite a bit of research online. I've been gone for a long time now (ETS'd in 1985), but I doubt it's changed much. Amazon and I are both USAF vets; jtval and Wingnut are current active duty - get with them for what's going on now. As with all things, there is good and there is bad. The bad is long, lonely days doing "Halls & Walls" far from home (when you're junior enlisted you sometimes get press-ganged to do shit jobs; e.g., mowing lawns buffing floors, etc. Though that may have changed somewhat by now, there are still lttle shitty jobs that always need to be done, and junior enlisteds are easy targets - heh). Then there is all the piddly military BS that you have to put up with. Also, be prepared to give up your constitutional rights - you haven't got any - your ass belongs to Uncle Sam and the UCMJ until 72 hours after you ETS, and even then you'll be on "inactive" reserve, so you still aren't free. There are other social issues, which I will be glad to discuss if you care to PM me. The good side is that you get to play with nifty, expensive hi-tech toys. I did F-15 Avionics, and got to work on some kewl stuff. A hitch in the service also looks good on your resume - can't go wrong with that. It will also give you a tremendous sense of self-discipline and direction, if you're young, aimless, and lacking in such things as I was at 19. However, if you've got a four-year degree, I would make every effort to get a commission and become an officer. You get even more BS to put up with, it's true (Wingie, jt - what's an "SLJO"? hehehe), but you get a better standard of living (your own quarters, instead of shared, young kids in cammies salute you a lot, etc. )"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laurel 0 #18 June 13, 2003 QuoteQuoteYeah, I have a tendency to get my feelings hurt at one point or another & don't really care about the wardrobe. You do realize that there is an association between the military and fighting wars or are you kidding? She is referring to my post about basic training not going to war. Ease up there, cowboy. Plus there are lots of jobs in the military other than combat...................................................................... PMS#28, Pelogrande Rodriguez#1074 My Pink M Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #19 June 13, 2003 QuoteFirst off, I'm not in the military but I've talked to a couple of recruiters and my dad's been in the military for 20+years. So what I know is what I saw at the armory and what he has told me over the years. Whatever the recruiter tells you you'll be doing, be sure to get it in writing. I have heard stories from dad, his friends from his military days that SOME RECRUITERS will promise you everything to get you to sign, but deliver very little. So get a "contract" from them: This is what I want and this is what the Air Force will do. At the bottom of the contract it says in big type (paraphrased)-- "ANY OTHER PROMISES THAT ARE NOT IN WRITING HERE WILL NOT BE HONORED""The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #20 June 13, 2003 QuoteTalk to Wingnut and JTval, they're both in the USAF right now. Biker Babe is an officer too, so she could give you a different perspective..____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #21 June 13, 2003 I believe it has already been stated but keep in mind that it's not another form of college tuition, you very well may have to serve your country in time of conflict. That can be as simple as deploying to another country or location until it ends. If your joining just to get more college money keep in mind the flip side of the coin. If you aren't happy doing what your doing now be damn sure you know what you want to do in the Military because quiting or changing jobs is not usually an option. Do the research and go into the MOS (Military Occupation)field that you feel best suits you."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #22 June 13, 2003 casie! can you asay cakewalk? if you have ANY athletic ability basic is a joke! the whole "simon says" things is just a gam eto see if you can work uinder pressure....hmmm I guess skydiving has proven that! some of the policies are retarded but once you find the rule book you can pretty easily use them to your advantage!My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,534 #23 June 13, 2003 He didn't like being an enlisted man. He said he would have been fine as an officer, but that as an enlisted man he was bored stupid -- with the degree, they would only assign him office work, and enlisted where he was only did fairly easy office work. Obviously YMMV. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casie 0 #24 June 13, 2003 Quotecasie! can you asay cakewalk? if you have ANY athletic ability basic is a joke! the whole "simon says" things is just a gam eto see if you can work uinder pressure....hmmm I guess skydiving has proven that! some of the policies are retarded but once you find the rule book you can pretty easily use them to your advantage! Thanx, that's some reassurance that was well needed! Yeah, I think I can do pushups, situps & run. Has this dampered your jumping at all? I know basic training lasts 6 straight weeks but do you get to jump monthly?~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #25 June 13, 2003 I was in for 9 years 6 months 6 days. I'd say most of it was good. Obviously it wasn't perfect or I wouldn't have left in Dec 2000. However, I got to do a lot of things MOST people only see in the movies and I wouldn't trade all those years, both good times and bad, for anything. Just make sure you know what it is you want to do. The AF is pretty good about getting you a contract for the job you want. Just make sure you read all the fine print. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
