Anyone in the Air Force?

chrisray21 · 07-07-2009, 02:55 PM

Hey guys,

I was curious to know if anyone here is in the USAF and I wanted to get some input on how the lifestyle is. We had an Air Force recruiter @ our university and he said some interesting things today, that made me think about joining the Air Force after I graduate in May of 2010. I will have my bachelors degree and was wondering if anyone on this forum has experienced anything like this before, hence graduating from college and joining the Air Force.

Would it be a wise choice to join the USAF?

What kind of careers do they offer in Business Mgt, since thats my major?

Would I be established financially, well to afford a 370z, lol?

Thanks Chris!!!!

u155282 · 07-07-2009, 04:01 PM

Hey there,

There's actually quite a few of us here in the Air Force. [See the "Occupations of 370z heads" thread]

I am a 2nd Lieutenant going to pilot training in December. I graduated from California State University San Bernardino last month and commissioned (became an officer) the following week. I did it through Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), but that is just one the possible commissioning sources available to you. Officer Training School (OTS) is probably the other most viable option for you, depending on how far along you are in college.

Typically, AFROTC is the better option if you are an underclassman, OTS if you are upper, but that isn't necessarily always true. It just depends on your situation. Since you're graduating in May 2010, you're probably too late to get on the AFROTC track, but if your school has it (or if there is a magnet school nearby) I would go see if there's someway to get you on an accelerated program just in case. It could be that you could get in AFROTC by following on to a Masters program after you finish you BA/BS. If not, your probably looking at OTS.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then go to AirForce.com, Wikipedia, etc. and do some research. There's mountains of info out there, but if you can't find what you are looking for, let me know and I'll do what I can to answer your questions.

The Air Force is awesome. Even as a new officer, a 370z should probably be affordable, depending on the options you're looking at and other matters affecting your finances (if you have dependents or outstanding loans, etc.)

DON'T ENLIST. There's nothing wrong with enlisting, but if you have a college degree, you might as well be an officer. You'll make better money and have better job opportunities. I only say that because I've heard a crazy story or two about recruiters trying to talk college grads into enlisting.

The military is certainly not for everyone, but for those who are cut out for it, it is definitely a wise choice.

Pushing_Tin · 07-07-2009, 04:06 PM

Hey Chris, this should probably be in the off topic section.

I was in Air Force from 1993-1998 and again in 1999 when i was recalled from the IRR during Kosovo. I'm glad I got out, but I highly recommend it for anybody that's not sure what to do with themselves. Joining the AF put me on an excellent career path. First in meteorolgy and then to air traffic control. Thanks to the GI Bill I have no student loan debt after going to college.

You will become much more responsbile, disciplined and travelled. I was enlisted so I can't tell you about job opportunities for officers. And if you get out you will get preference in other federal government jobs.

If you have any specific questions you think I can answer just ask!

nogoodname · 07-07-2009, 04:11 PM

Brian is in the air force.

Forgot his whole screen name. Search nightmare delivery and you'll find him.

u155282 · 07-07-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname007

Brian is in the air force.

Forgot his whole screen name. Search nightmare delivery and you'll find him.

Brain is in the Marine Corps.

Lug · 07-07-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u155282

Brain is in the Marine Corps.

Yeah, they are mainly boat guards because they can't be trusted with planes.

........runs like hell

nogoodname · 07-07-2009, 04:37 PM

My bad my bad...........

phunistle · 07-07-2009, 05:52 PM

I did 4 years 9 months Active Duty and now I'm a GS-12 DoD Civilian for the Air Force. I loved being in and love continuing to serve our Air Force. Go for it! I've never had one regret.

KidD · 07-07-2009, 06:39 PM

I should have joined the Air Force...

Jordan777er · 07-07-2009, 06:49 PM

u155282 said exactly what I was going to say. I was supposed to graduate in May 2010 also, but I had to push it back a year to make time for Field Training. OTS sounds like the best option for you right now. Even if your school does offer the accelerated program, I don't think you qualify since you need to be POC for 18 months in order to commission. You should go talk to the Admissions Officer at the nearest Detachment and I'm sure they can fill you in on anything you would need to know about OTS.

StLRedrider · 07-07-2009, 07:14 PM

Brian is a pilot, F18 i think

nogoodname · 07-07-2009, 07:32 PM

^^ that's why i blurred out his name here...then realized wrong division...lol

chrisray21 · 07-07-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushing_Tin

Hey Chris, this should probably be in the off topic section.

I was in Air Force from 1993-1998 and again in 1999 when i was recalled from the IRR during Kosovo. I'm glad I got out, but I highly recommend it for anybody that's not sure what to do with themselves. Joining the AF put me on an excellent career path. First in meteorolgy and then to air traffic control. Thanks to the GI Bill I have no student loan debt after going to college.

You will become much more responsbile, disciplined and travelled. I was enlisted so I can't tell you about job opportunities for officers. And if you get out you will get preference in other federal government jobs.

If you have any specific questions you think I can answer just ask!

Yeah the only thing that is holding me back from joining is my mother thinking that I will be shipped to IRAQ. Is there anyway I can convince her otherwise or do will I actually be sent there? Can someone help me out here?

chrisray21 · 07-07-2009, 09:33 PM

[QUOTE=u155282;109122]Hey there,
DON'T ENLIST. There's nothing wrong with enlisting, but if you have a college degree, you might as well be an officer. You'll make better money and have better job opportunities. I only say that because I've heard a crazy story or two about recruiters trying to talk college grads into enlisting.
QUOTE]

Whats the difference between joining as an officer and enlisting?

molamann · 07-07-2009, 11:54 PM

Most simply put, officer = higher pay, more responsibility.

07-07-2009, 02:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
chrisray21 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 63 Drives: 04 Nissan 350z Auto Rep Power: 17	Anyone in the Air Force? Hey guys, I was curious to know if anyone here is in the USAF and I wanted to get some input on how the lifestyle is. We had an Air Force recruiter @ our university and he said some interesting things today, that made me think about joining the Air Force after I graduate in May of 2010. I will have my bachelors degree and was wondering if anyone on this forum has experienced anything like this before, hence graduating from college and joining the Air Force. Would it be a wise choice to join the USAF? What kind of careers do they offer in Business Mgt, since thats my major? Would I be established financially, well to afford a 370z, lol? Thanks Chris!!!!

07-07-2009, 04:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
u155282 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Enid, OK Posts: 136 Drives: stanglangling Rep Power: 0	Hey there, There's actually quite a few of us here in the Air Force. [See the "Occupations of 370z heads" thread] I am a 2nd Lieutenant going to pilot training in December. I graduated from California State University San Bernardino last month and commissioned (became an officer) the following week. I did it through Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), but that is just one the possible commissioning sources available to you. Officer Training School (OTS) is probably the other most viable option for you, depending on how far along you are in college. Typically, AFROTC is the better option if you are an underclassman, OTS if you are upper, but that isn't necessarily always true. It just depends on your situation. Since you're graduating in May 2010, you're probably too late to get on the AFROTC track, but if your school has it (or if there is a magnet school nearby) I would go see if there's someway to get you on an accelerated program just in case. It could be that you could get in AFROTC by following on to a Masters program after you finish you BA/BS. If not, your probably looking at OTS. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then go to AirForce.com, Wikipedia, etc. and do some research. There's mountains of info out there, but if you can't find what you are looking for, let me know and I'll do what I can to answer your questions. The Air Force is awesome. Even as a new officer, a 370z should probably be affordable, depending on the options you're looking at and other matters affecting your finances (if you have dependents or outstanding loans, etc.) DON'T ENLIST. There's nothing wrong with enlisting, but if you have a college degree, you might as well be an officer. You'll make better money and have better job opportunities. I only say that because I've heard a crazy story or two about recruiters trying to talk college grads into enlisting. The military is certainly not for everyone, but for those who are cut out for it, it is definitely a wise choice. Last edited by u155282; 07-07-2009 at 04:03 PM.

07-07-2009, 07:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
StLRedrider A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St.louis,Mo Posts: 17,755 Drives: O9Sprt/Touring,p-51 Rep Power: 60	Brian is a pilot, F18 i think __________________ Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today J.Dean

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07-07-2009, 04:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pushing_Tin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 2,875 Drives: E63 AMG Rep Power: 228	Hey Chris, this should probably be in the off topic section. I was in Air Force from 1993-1998 and again in 1999 when i was recalled from the IRR during Kosovo. I'm glad I got out, but I highly recommend it for anybody that's not sure what to do with themselves. Joining the AF put me on an excellent career path. First in meteorolgy and then to air traffic control. Thanks to the GI Bill I have no student loan debt after going to college. You will become much more responsbile, disciplined and travelled. I was enlisted so I can't tell you about job opportunities for officers. And if you get out you will get preference in other federal government jobs. If you have any specific questions you think I can answer just ask!

07-07-2009, 04:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	Brian is in the air force. Forgot his whole screen name. Search nightmare delivery and you'll find him.

07-07-2009, 04:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	My bad my bad...........

07-07-2009, 05:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
phunistle Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 8 Drives: 2012 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 16	I did 4 years 9 months Active Duty and now I'm a GS-12 DoD Civilian for the Air Force. I loved being in and love continuing to serve our Air Force. Go for it! I've never had one regret.

07-07-2009, 06:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
KidD Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Iraq via Texas Posts: 10 Drives: M88A2 Hercules Rep Power: 16	I should have joined the Air Force...

07-07-2009, 06:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jordan777er Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Goldsboro, NC Age: 36 Posts: 212 Drives: 2005 ZX-6R Rep Power: 16	u155282 said exactly what I was going to say. I was supposed to graduate in May 2010 also, but I had to push it back a year to make time for Field Training. OTS sounds like the best option for you right now. Even if your school does offer the accelerated program, I don't think you qualify since you need to be POC for 18 months in order to commission. You should go talk to the Admissions Officer at the nearest Detachment and I'm sure they can fill you in on anything you would need to know about OTS.

07-07-2009, 07:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	^^ that's why i blurred out his name here...then realized wrong division...lol

07-07-2009, 09:33 PM	#14 (permalink)
chrisray21 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 63 Drives: 04 Nissan 350z Auto Rep Power: 17	[QUOTE=u155282;109122]Hey there, DON'T ENLIST. There's nothing wrong with enlisting, but if you have a college degree, you might as well be an officer. You'll make better money and have better job opportunities. I only say that because I've heard a crazy story or two about recruiters trying to talk college grads into enlisting. QUOTE] Whats the difference between joining as an officer and enlisting?

07-07-2009, 11:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
molamann A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,666 Drives: 370Z with NAVVVVV Rep Power: 284	Most simply put, officer = higher pay, more responsibility.