Airforce or Navy?

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: jteef

Originally posted by: AnimeKnight

Originally posted by: hdeck
i'd love to fly a fighter but crap vision prevents me from being able to do so

I was told by the recruiter that laser surgery is going to certain extend.

LASIK Surgery is not waiverable I don't think. For Air Force Pilots anyways. I heard they had some problems with high alt+high G's in test flights causing the pilots eyes to explode . this was just what I heard, so take it with a grain of salt. in any case, PRK is allowed and waiverable, and the Air Force will even pay for it once you're in. (I guess you'd have to apply to a non rated position and get accepted, then get the surgery, then pass your flight physical, then get accepted to the pilot training. Not sure how that works.) I should find out tomorrow if I was selected for the Air Force Officer Training School....should be fun!

If you go into the Air Force as an officer, you do not have to do basic training. Other than that, I think that basic is about the same across all the branches with the exception of the Marine Corps which is more demanding.

I was told that the Air force and Navy did not accept eye surgery from other sources and only would allow it if done through the armed forces.

 

[WhiteKnight77]

I was in the Marines as a jet engine/helicopter mechanic/crew chief and my Pops was in the Air Force (even spent 18 months in 'Nam) as a Photo Interpreter. He has seen things I have no knowledge of. The AF is a way to go if you can hook up on the aviation side (even crewmembers have to take survival training and take flight physiology testing and training, think pressure chamber) and fly.

Unless you like water (and lot's of it) you will spend lots of time at sea unfortunately should you go Navy. I used to live near Norfolk NOB and like clockwork, the carriers would be rotating in and out.

 

[AnimeKnight]

any more inputs?

 

[Workin']

Other than that, I think that basic is about the same across all the branches with the exception of the Marine Corps which is more demanding.

Marine Corp basic is physically demanding. Air Force basic is physically easy but mentally hard. Army and Navy are in between. But don't base a multi-year decision on what the first 8-12 weeks are like!

If you are interested in technology then your best choice would be the Air Force. The other services brances have technology, of course, but for sheer quantity and variety of hi-tech toys (and jobs) the Air Force wins hands down.

 

[UltraQuiet]

If you are interested in technology then your best choice would be the Air Force. The other services brances have technology, of course, but for sheer quantity and variety of hi-tech toys (and jobs) the Air Force wins hands down.

I will agree that the AF has better working conditions, quality of life, less deployments, etc. It is obvious. I do, however, have to disagree with this last statement. All the services have good tech schools but I think that the Navy schools are better, out of necessity, and here's why. The Navy trains one guy to do more things than the other services. We have to by neccesity. There is no supply train following us around, there is a limited amount of space for personnel and spare parts onboard ship and especially onboard submarines. This forces us to cram as much knowledge into one person as we possibly can and forces us to teach him how to fix things without always being able to replace things or pick-up a phone and call for help. Like I said all the services have good tech schools and I have no intention of starting some inter-service pissing contest but I do not think the above statement is an accurate portrayal of the service tech schools.

 

[Workin']

I do not think the above statement is an accurate portrayal of the service tech schools.

That's 'cause you're a squid! I still think the AF has a wider range of options.

When's the last time the Navy launched a spacecraft? (not pissing...)

 

[SgtBuddy]

For all you fighter jock wannabes, enlisting is not an option. Get a degree, then go to OTS. Then...they might select you for pilot training. Then...they might select you for fighter pilot training. Yes, I know there are exceptions...trust me, most of those "going to school" new enlistees never touch a book. Took me many years to get my degrees because of my own laziness.

You can fly as an enlisted guy (I did for 6 years), but you will be a goat on a mission crew. Still very cool.

Basic is easy

The Navy does have better military tech schools, but I, in the AF, have been to many commerical training schools to get my certifications. Either one (Navy or AF) is the way to go. The Navy does spend bigger chunks of time away and I don't know what their rotation schedule is. The Air Force might go more often, but usually 90 days or less (extended to 179 max, I have never seen anyone gone for more than 100).

Quality of Life. I love the way I was treated as an enlisted aircrew member. Hotels instead of tents. Even now, as a network engineer, things are not too bad. I do have internet access ANYWHERE I go

Oh yeah, I voted Air Force (biased )

 

[TheeeChosenOne]

This is coming from an experienced military man who has been in BOTH Air Force and Army.

For enlisted, Air Force has the closest thing to a "civilian" life. In the Navy, you will *definitely* travel more, but you will be at ports on shore leave for only a handful of hours per day. Most of the time, though, you will be on a ship with nothing to view but the ocean. If you're married or thinking about it soon, join the Air Force b/c you *won't* see your wife as much in the Navy. The divorce rate in the Marines and Navy is highest among the services due to these long separations. In the Army (like the Navy), you can travel alot if you want it--or you can stay put in one place like the AF. The choice of staying or going is easiest in the Army in this regard. It is also a good place to be if you have a family, since you can stay put in one place.

For Officers, the best career builder would be Army. They promote the quickest and have *no* prejudice from what "dept"you're coming in. Air Force is **Extremely prejudiced** in this regard.........Pilots are the Gods, and they are the ones promoted--ALWAYS. If you're not a pilot, you will *always* be relegated to 2nd clas citizen status. This prejudice in the AF is truly obscene and needs to be addressed! Navy also is a good career builder, but is prejudiced towards those that went to the Naval Academy over ROTC.

Best morale is seen in the Navy and Army. People are generally very happy there. Marines have issues b/c of their gung-ho environment they must perform in, but b/c of their long leaves of absence, they always have family issues, so morale is lower. Air Force just plain sucks in terms of morale. Their leadership *bullies* enlisted and are *always* backstabbing themselves to get to the next scarce pay grade.....I have never seen such cynicism/Enron-like behavior in my life. AF morale is therefore lowest among officers and enlisted.

In terms of striking a balance with wife, family, good career progression and travel, I'd defintely would tip my hat to the Army, then Navy (remember that you can also choose a non-confrontational job in the Army--it's not all combat like the Marines).

*STAY AWAY* from AF as it has many organizational problems.....it is *not* the good ole days AF of 50 years ago. Trust me.


P.S. Regarding college training, VA loans, etc, they are all the same. College degrees are easily obtained in all the services.

 

[TheeeChosenOne]

.............oh and another thing...............If you happen to make a mistake and choose the wrong service, you can **switch** to another service after your term is up.

I have seen many go from Navy to Army, etc, etc. Thus, you'll never be stuck in one place. Most stick to their first choice, even in error, b/c they develop deep friendships with colleagues, and this keeps you from wanting to change. Plus, when you switch services, you leave your comfortable life you've settled into and have to go somewhere else for training and eventual base you end up at.

 

[AmerDoux]

Write down a list of your questions and then go have a chat with all of the branches. Doesn't matter if you're interested with that particular branch or not... it is informative on what they have to say about each other.
Search the net. Loads of info there too.
Lastly, talk to folks who have been in the different branches.
Make an informed decision, a decision that is best for you.

Good Luck

 

[human2k]

If I was joining the airforce or navy, I would do everything possible in power to become head chef.

 

[ROTC1983]

Army. "One Shot, one kill" Snipers are cool

 

[Sundog]

.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: TheeeChosenOne
This is coming from an experienced military man who has been in BOTH Air Force and Army.

. . .

Best morale is seen in the Navy and Army. People are generally very happy there. Marines have issues b/c of their gung-ho environment they must perform in, but b/c of their long leaves of absence, they always have family issues, so morale is lower. Air Force just plain sucks in terms of morale. Their leadership *bullies* enlisted and are *always* backstabbing themselves to get to the next scarce pay grade.....I have never seen such cynicism/Enron-like behavior in my life. AF morale is therefore lowest among officers and enlisted.

. . .

*STAY AWAY* from AF as it has many organizational problems.....it is *not* the good ole days AF of 50 years ago. Trust me.

You may in fact be "an experienced military man," but to me you just sound like a guy with a chip on his shoulder. I just do not agree at all about the Air Force, and I have seen a lot more soldiers and sailors who wanted to be airman than the other way around. It is true that pilots are generally offered some comforts not extended to all other officers (free contact lenses, for example), but it is just not true that they are much likelier to be promoted than others, or that they are given second-class treatment. I am not a pilot, and I have always had the Wing Commander's ear, and his respect. Similarly, the picture you paint of officer-enlisted relations in the AF are just wholly inaccurate, and the unit climate assessment data bears out that most enlisted people in the AF feel they are well-treated and given the respect and opportunities they deserve.

In my view, the Air Force offers the greatest quality of life of any of the services. I frankly think Chief Sohmer's comments should be given greater weight than yours or mine, given the duration of his Navy service, but I wanted to offer a counterpoint to your categorical critique of the Air Force.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito

Originally posted by: TheeeChosenOne
This is coming from an experienced military man who has been in BOTH Air Force and Army.

. . .

Best morale is seen in the Navy and Army. People are generally very happy there. Marines have issues b/c of their gung-ho environment they must perform in, but b/c of their long leaves of absence, they always have family issues, so morale is lower. Air Force just plain sucks in terms of morale. Their leadership *bullies* enlisted and are *always* backstabbing themselves to get to the next scarce pay grade.....I have never seen such cynicism/Enron-like behavior in my life. AF morale is therefore lowest among officers and enlisted.

. . .

*STAY AWAY* from AF as it has many organizational problems.....it is *not* the good ole days AF of 50 years ago. Trust me.

You may in fact be "an experienced military man," but to me you just sound like a guy with a chip on his shoulder. I just do not agree at all about the Air Force, and I have seen a lot more soldiers and sailors who wanted to be airman than the other way around. It is true that pilots are generally offered some comforts not extended to all other officers (free contact lenses, for example), but it is just not true that they are much likelier to be promoted than others. I am not a pilot, and I have always had the Wing Commander's ear, and his respect. Similarly, the picture you paint of officer-enlisted relations in the AF are just wholly inaccurate, and the unit climate assessment data bears out that most enlisted people in the AF feel they are well-treated and given the respect and opportunities they deserve.

In my view, the Air Force offers the greatest quality of life of any of the services. I frankly think Chief Sohmer's comments should be given greater weight than yours OR mine, given the duration of his Navy service, but I wanted to offer a counterpoint to your categorical critique of the Air Force.

i thought you had to have like perfect eyesight to be a pilot?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: gopunki thought you had to have like perfect eyesight to be a pilot?

No, you don't. I think the rules have relaxed somewhat on this, but I know it has long been the case that you needed perfect vision to enter pilot training. Once you are flight-qualified, the AF will buy you contacts and glasses to perfect your vision to 20/20 or better, if your vision worsens over time. Actually there are distinctive glasses that are only available to flight-crew members, as opposed to the so-called "BCGs" ("Birth-Control Glasses") that the rest of us have always gotten free. At least now you can get a free pair that look decent, in addition to your BCGs and gas-mask prescription inserts . . .

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito

Originally posted by: gopunki thought you had to have like perfect eyesight to be a pilot?

No, you don't. I think the rules have relaxed somewhat on this, but I know it has long been the case that you needed perfect vision to enter pilot training. Once you are flight-qualified, the AF will buy you contacts and glasses to perfect your vision to 20/20 or better, if your vision worsens over time. Actually there are distinctive glasses that are only available to flight-crew members, as opposed to the so-called "BCGs" ("Birth-Control Glasses") that the rest of us have always gotten free. At least now you can get a free pair that look decent, in addition to your BCGs and gas-mask prescription inserts . . .

why are they called birth control glasses?

and just to clarify, what you are saying is that you need perfect vision to enter pilot training, but they will provide you with what is necessary to get perfect vision once they have determined that you are flight qualified? and is it true that you have to be some certain height like 6 feet tall or something?

 

[StageLeft]

Air force. Chances of flying a fighter/bomber are virtually nil statistically speaking but chances of dying are also pretty low if you're back at base as a mechanic or loading bombs (don't drop them!).

 

[TheeeChosenOne]

BCG are given that name b/c the glasses are so ugly that you could never get l*id--thus, birth control. LOL!

I remember that AF pilots had to have perfect vision. Yes, a *current* pilot's vision may get worse and they may give case-by-case lenience, but new trainees have to have perfect vision. There is just toooo much competition at the AF Academy to not get a guy w/ perfect vision for combat flight training. Why would they pick a rotten tomato?

====================================

DOn Vito,
Not a pilot, eh? Good luck making General or Kerrrnel for that matter. You're "blind" and don't even know it. Open your eyes "company boy"

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: gopunk
and just to clarify, what you are saying is that you need perfect vision to enter pilot training, but they will provide you with what is necessary to get perfect vision once they have determined that you are flight qualified? and is it true that you have to be some certain height like 6 feet tall or something?

Pilot/Nav Qualifications

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: TheeeChosenOne
BCG are given that name b/c the glasses are so ugly that you could never get l*id--thus, birth control. LOL!

I remember that AF pilots had to have perfect vision. Yes, a *current* pilot's vision may get worse and they may give case-by-case lenience, but new trainees have to have perfect vision. There is just toooo much competition at the AF Academy to not get a guy w/ perfect vision for combat flight training. Why would they pick a rotten tomato?

====================================

DOn Vito,
Not a pilot, eh? Good luck making General or Kerrrnel for that matter. You're "blind" and don't even know it. Open your eyes "company boy"

Ahem - what rank did you hold when you were in the service? JAG promotion rates are pretty good, actually, so my odds of making O-6 should be decent if I decide to stay in the service for a career. Were you involuntarily separated by any chance?

 

[TheeeChosenOne]

Ahem - what rank did you hold when you were in the service? JAG promotion rates are pretty good, actually, so my odds of making O-6 should be decent if I decide to stay in the service for a career. Were you involuntarily separated by any chance?

Nope, I wasn't separated. LOL! You'll live and learn.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Hee hee - according to the results of the most recent DOD Status of Forces survey, taken in 2002, Air Force members express the highest satisfaction of all service members. Only the Army's enlisted force reported nearly an across-the-board drop in satisfaction with service life since the last study (in 1999), most sharply with unit morale, training and professional development, off-duty education and military values, lifestyle and traditions. Air Force personnel consistently expressed the highest amount of satisfaction. In areas except for training and unit morale, Marines were least satisfied, even less so than soldiers. But unlike soldiers, Marine satisfaction levels overall had not dropped since 1999.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: TheeeChosenOne

Ahem - what rank did you hold when you were in the service? JAG promotion rates are pretty good, actually, so my odds of making O-6 should be decent if I decide to stay in the service for a career. Were you involuntarily separated by any chance?

Nope, I wasn't separated. LOL! You'll live and learn.

How long were you in? What was the highest rank you achieved? I can't imagine either are even close to Chief Sohmer, but feel free to prove me wrong.

 

[TheeeChosenOne]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito
Hee hee - according to the results of the most recent DOD Status of Forces survey, taken in 2002, Air Force members express the highest satisfaction of all service members. Only the Army's enlisted force reported nearly an across-the-board drop in satisfaction with service life since the last study (in 1999), most sharply with unit morale, training and professional development, off-duty education and military values, lifestyle and traditions. Air Force personnel consistently expressed the highest amount of satisfaction. In areas except for training and unit morale, Marines were least satisfied, even less so than soldiers. But unlike soldiers, Marine satisfaction levels overall had not dropped since 1999.

Personally, I'd advise anyone to opt OUT of a military career. Even a state job gives a higher quality of life than *any* military lifestyle can offer.