Anyone Here Ever Been In The Armed Forces?

[TheSiege]

well im 22 and about to get my associates, and i really havent decided on a major at all, in fact im not sure what i want to do with my life at all now that i realize i dont want to be in computers. So i was thinking about joing the armed forces, get a higher education there, get into more physical shape, have more self discipline, be on the brink of technology, learn new skills, and of course serve my country which has given me so much.

i was thinking the air force, becuase its the only one that appeals to me, plus id love to learn how to fly. anyway if anyone could give me some info on their experience, how they liked it? what it did for them and so on, i would appreciate it, i dont think full metal jacket gives a very good definition of the armed forces.

thanx

 

[TallBill]

Well, air force is much easier life then Army. And officer is much better (as well as pay) then enlisted. So, you will probably love it, since I dont mind enlisted Army all that much. Granted, after 3 years is up, I wont ever come back unless its as an officer.


Generally though, I'd say to do it. Its something you'll never regret doing. Even if you do 3 years of stupid work, you'll ALWAYS be able to look back and say "I served, I did my part". Simple as that. Besides, whatever job you choose, you'll see some stuff and learn things that you'd NEVER see in just regular civilian life. Who knows, you may like it and stay in.

 

[nakedfrog]

Picture a PG rated version of FMJ and it actually did put me in mind of my AF basic days. Don't expect to get in better shape in the AF though, fatbodies abound (We only had to be able to do 30 pushups to graduate from basic, and run a mile and a half in 18 minutes). You need to be an officer to fly a plane, and you'll need more than an associate's to become an officer.
The experience is VERY subjective, depends completely upon your assignment (because that determines what people you end up around and your commander). Don't expect to be on the brink of technology either; bleeding edge technology isn't adapted AF-wide. You stand a good chance of ending up with more self-discipline, and will learn new skills.
Talk to a recruiter, but remember that most things he tells you about BT will be not entirely true.

 

[TheSiege]

well i could get more then my associates while im in there right? and as far as better shape, im sure there is a gym on the base i could use in my down time when i nothing else better to do.

and what exactly is the difference between enlisted and officer, besides pay.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: TheSiege
well i could get more then my associates while im in there right? and as far as better shape, im sure there is a gym on the base i could use in my down time when i nothing else better to do.

and what exactly is the difference between enlisted and officer, besides pay.

Yeah, there's lots of education opportunities when you're in, and programs to help enlisted transition to being an officer. Always gyms, too.
Enlisted people work, officers are management (in general).
Here's a monthly pay chart for you. E-* is enlisted, O-* is officer. Doesn't include housing allowance (if applicable), and of course you don't have to pay any health insurance.

 

[alent1234]

spent 8 years in the army

 

[DaFinn]

I like airplanes...

 

[TheSiege]

so basically newly enlisted is 1k a month, with off-base housing allowance if applicable, and isnt there a food allowence also?

You have to be enlisted be an officer right? and how does it take to transist to an officer?

and how long is basic?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: TheSiege
so basically newly enlisted is 1k a month, with off-base housing allowance if applicable, and isnt there a food allowence also?

You have to be enlisted be an officer right? and how does it take to transist to an officer?

and how long is basic?

With an associate's, yeah, you'd have to go in enlisted. It would certainly take more than four years to become an officer, and then you have to guarantee them more time served for helping out up. Newly enlisted, unless married, stands little chance of getting housing allowance. Chow hall for you!
AF chow halls are actually usually pretty decent though. Basic, as long as you don't screw up, is six weeks. Tech school for your AFSC (dunno if they still use that term) varies wildly. Some are just a few weeks. Mine was nine months (electronics principles and then satellite/wideband communications).

 

[sonoma1993]

i was in basic training last winter for the air force, they updated there requirements for push up, situps and running, too pass you have tobe able to run the 1 1/2 mile in 11 mins and 25 seconds, somewere around that time, pushup you have todo at least 42 and situps you have todo 50.

tobe an officer you have to either goto air force academy or if you are enlisted, you have to goto one of the air force officer training school and i think there certain requirements for them but i dont remember what they are. during basic training you wont get to go to gym at all. unless you get sent to the 319 and get put in there get fit program, then yeah you get to use the gym, other than that no gym during bt.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: TheSiege
well im 22 and about to get my associates, and i really havent decided on a major at all, in fact im not sure what i want to do with my life at all now that i realize i dont want to be in computers. So i was thinking about joing the armed forces, get a higher education there, get into more physical shape, have more self discipline, be on the brink of technology, learn new skills, and of course serve my country which has given me so much.

i was thinking the air force, becuase its the only one that appeals to me, plus id love to learn how to fly. anyway if anyone could give me some info on their experience, how they liked it? what it did for them and so on, i would appreciate it, i dont think full metal jacket gives a very good definition of the armed forces.

thanx

US Navy Aviation 10 years AT2
Air Farce.. hell no..
Fly Navy baby...
Air conditioned ships movies and vid games run 24 hours a day in the shops .. hot food and no desert...

Prefer the way the Navy does business over the AF and their dedicated maintance squadrons...
our flight squadrons do all thier own maintance in house.

 

[PrinceofWands]

I joined the Navy after high school. I joined because I strongly believed in civic duty. I wanted to 'earn the right to bitch' so to speak. Unfortunately the Gulf was still going on (first one), but oh well. I had a good time overall. I knew the military would suck a$$, so I went in with my eyes open. I advanced quickly, E4 in less than a year, would have been E5 if I'd stayed in another few months but I took an early out deal.

Unless you're very very odd the military won't get you into shape, in fact I lost most of my fitness level while I was in. Marines or maybe Army would keep you better, but air force/navy are crap for fitness levels. I didn't learn any useful skills (other than secretarial), but that's because I was a yeoman...choose a rate that has marketable skills and your mileage would vary. Overall I didn't really 'get much' from the military, other than being able to say I did it, and learning first hand just how crappy and corrupted our government and military is.

The military is different...if you have any brain or individualism whatsoever you may find it tough at first, but you can adapt if you try. It's a great learning experience, good resume padder, and good for fulfilling civic responsibility...otherwise it's pretty much a load of dung.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: CVSiN
Air Farce.. hell no..
Fly Navy baby...
Air conditioned ships movies and vid games run 24 hours a day in the shops .. hot food and no desert...

Prefer the way the Navy does business over the AF and their dedicated maintance squadrons...
our flight squadrons do all thier own maintance in house.

You guys have entirely too many different uniforms, though

Originally posted by: sonoma1993
i was in basic training last winter for the air force, they updated there requirements for push up, situps and running, too pass you have tobe able to run the 1 1/2 mile in 11 mins and 25 seconds, somewere around that time, pushup you have todo at least 42 and situps you have todo 50.

Good to see those got updated at least. Still no pull-up requirement though, huh?
Do AF people at MEPS still have to lift the weight to the highest mark? I always thought that was funny.

 

[broon]

Originally posted by: TheSiege
so basically newly enlisted is 1k a month, with off-base housing allowance if applicable, and isnt there a food allowence also?

You have to be enlisted be an officer right? and how does it take to transist to an officer?

and how long is basic?

If you are single and living on base there is usually a chow hall and you get a meal ticket so food is usually free. About the only bill you will have is a phone bill. So while 1k/month doesn't sound like alot, the only additional expenses are the ones you choose, like a car payment.

I highly recommend it, especially if you get a good guaranteed job before you go to basic. Since I left in '98 as an E-4, I've tripled my income and I don't have a degree.

 

[TheSiege]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: TheSiege
well im 22 and about to get my associates, and i really havent decided on a major at all, in fact im not sure what i want to do with my life at all now that i realize i dont want to be in computers. So i was thinking about joing the armed forces, get a higher education there, get into more physical shape, have more self discipline, be on the brink of technology, learn new skills, and of course serve my country which has given me so much.

i was thinking the air force, becuase its the only one that appeals to me, plus id love to learn how to fly. anyway if anyone could give me some info on their experience, how they liked it? what it did for them and so on, i would appreciate it, i dont think full metal jacket gives a very good definition of the armed forces.

thanx

Air Farce.. hell no..
Fly Navy baby...
Air conditioned ships movies and vid games run 24 hours a day in the shops .. hot food and no desert...

Prefer the way the Navy does business over the AF and their dedicated maintance squadrons...
our flight squadrons do all thier own maintance in house.

im not really looking into it for convience of living and working, im looking into to start a career and learn something and come out a better person, i can sit in my air conditioned office and watch movies at work if i want, while making 4k a month, but thats not what im after.

 

[sonoma1993]

also in the military there some sexual acts your not allow todo, such as getting head, but they dont really enforce that rule to much.

 

[CaptnKirk]

Look at getting into the Airframe Structural Repair side of the house.
Tech School and following OJT will give you a very strong baseline for
the 'How & Why' of how aircraft are built, and is an excellent stepping
stone into the Engineering side of the craft.

If you have good mechanical skills & acquire a feel for working in the
metalic and composite structures, when you get out after 4 years you're
only looking at 2 more years of study in engineering courses to be able
to get either a Manufacturing Engineer or Design Engineering entry level job.

There is a severe shortage of qualified people to work on the next generation
of aircraft coming up really fast. Most of us 'Experts' are in the 55 to 70 age group
and are staring to retire from the trade. The next age group behind us is from
36 to 45, and very few younger than the mid 30's.

Attrition will be devastating, and the need for knowledgeable people will be
very high in another 6 years as the workforce is depleted.

 

[TheSiege]

any other air force people out there? ones that can tell me what they did while in? tell me how their time was spent, i know you spend 6 weeks in BT but what happens after that?

 

[Horus]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: TheSiege
well i could get more then my associates while im in there right? and as far as better shape, im sure there is a gym on the base i could use in my down time when i nothing else better to do.

and what exactly is the difference between enlisted and officer, besides pay.

Yeah, there's lots of education opportunities when you're in, and programs to help enlisted transition to being an officer. Always gyms, too.
Enlisted people work, officers are management (in general).
Here's a monthly pay chart for you. E-* is enlisted, O-* is officer. Doesn't include housing allowance (if applicable), and of course you don't have to pay any health insurance.

:Q

WOW, they your new privates CRAP! Even in the CF, which is notoriously cheap, a private(recruit) can make up to double that ($2081 monthly)

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

I'm going in for my MEPS in a couple hours for the Army Reserve (I am not sure if I will pass, a bit over the height/weight requirements[SUCK IT IN!]). I will be going in as an E-3. Once I finish my undergrad, I want to go as a comissioned officer, but am not sure how all thaat works. Oh yeah, lookin at 92A.

 

[Armitage]

I spent 4 years in the Air Force ... officer in the space systems acquisition arena, so not much relavence to the OP's situation. Just wanted to add my $0.02 here

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: TheSiege
so basically newly enlisted is 1k a month, with off-base housing allowance if applicable, and isnt there a food allowence also?

You have to be enlisted be an officer right? and how does it take to transist to an officer?

and how long is basic?

No, you don't have to be enlisted to be an officer ... most officers were never enlisted.

With an associate's, you'd have to go in enlisted. It would certainly take more than four years to become an officer, and then you have to guarantee them more time served for helping out up.

The Enlisted & Officer corps are seperate career paths ... it's fairly rare for enlisted people to make the transition to the officer corp. It's certainly possible, but if you want to be an officer, a more certain route would be to finish your 4 year degree, and either go into an ROTC program while your doing it, or try for an OCS spot when your done. At 22, you may be running short on time ... IIRC there is an age cutoff of 25 for those commisioning routes. Check with a recruiter.

That said, unless you're in a rated position as an officer, I think the enlisted corp has alot more opportunity for hands-on work and travel in whatever your career field is. IME, most non-rated officers are glorified managers & paper-pushers.

Newly enlisted, unless married, stands little chance of getting housing allowance. Chow hall for you!
AF chow halls are actually usually pretty decent though. Basic, as long as you don't screw up, is six weeks. Tech school for your AFSC (dunno if they still use that term) varies wildly. Some are just a few weeks. Mine was nine months (electronics principles and then satellite/wideband communications).

Originally posted by: sonoma1993tobe an officer you have to either goto air force academy or if you are enlisted, you have to goto one of the air force officer training school...

Also ROTC & OCS

 

[broon]

Originally posted by: TheSiege
any other air force people out there? ones that can tell me what they did while in? tell me how their time was spent, i know you spend 6 weeks in BT but what happens after that?

I did satellite operations. After BT had a 6 week tech school, then a 5 week specialty school and off to work. Shift work but still like a regular job...only you wear the uniform. I made alot of good friends and I'd do it again.

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: broon

Originally posted by: TheSiege
any other air force people out there? ones that can tell me what they did while in? tell me how their time was spent, i know you spend 6 weeks in BT but what happens after that?

I did satellite operations. After BT had a 6 week tech school, then a 5 week specialty school and off to work. Shift work but still like a regular job...only you wear the uniform. I made alot of good friends and I'd do it again.

Where'd you work at? I do some work with CERES and the 50th SW now.

 

[Brutuskend]

<----Four years Marine aviation.

The only thing more candy assed than the Navy, is the Air Force!

(Sorry, they MAKE us say these things.)

 

[jemcam]

Fifteen years total between Army active duty and National Guard. 5 years enlisted, then went to OCS at age 27 and got my commission. The age limitation in 1988 was 35 for OCS.