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joining Air Force after graduating college

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DarkManX

Diamond Member
I have always considered joining the military since i was younger, now that im getting ready to graduate with a BBA in MIS and with the job market looking like crap, maybe getting into the military isn?t a bad idea? from the limited research i did i can join as an officer at a O-1 pay grade which is pretty low compared to the average starting salary for a job in the MIS field. Any feedback?

ive talked to a recruiter for the reserves a while back and he said that I cant be guaranteed an IT/MIS job since they have plenty of people doing such jobs. Would I have any say in what I would do for a job?

After let?s say 4 years of service, what is my chance of getting a federal FBI type of job?

How do regular companies look at someone with military experience in a potentially unrelated field with a college degree?
 
When I was considering being an officer in the USAF after graduating, they could pretty much pick who they wanted. If you weren't in ROTC they were extremely choosy when it came to officers - they turned tons of people away. I don't know what it's like now, though, but I'm sure they have no shortage of people wanting to be air force officers.

I eventually realized that since I was an engineer I'd be doing exactly the same kind of work for the air force that I'd do in any other job. In fact, I worked one summer at Wright-Patterson AFB and in most engineering positions it was 50/50 civilians/officers. The only difference was that the officers had to wear uniforms.

When it comes to getting a job after the air force, employers definitely don't look down on servicemen in any way, but I'd rather hire someone with 4 years of experience in the field over someone with 4 years in the service that didn't work on something in the field. On the other hand, if you do what's in the field you'd have an advantage.

If you want to work for a federal branch like the FBI, though, I'm sure military service is a plus.
 
Originally posted by: DarkManX
I have always considered joining the military since i was younger, now that im getting ready to graduate with a BBA in MIS and with the job market looking like crap, maybe getting into the military isn?t a bad idea? from the limited research i did i can join as an officer at a O-1 pay grade which is pretty low compared to the average starting salary for a job in the MIS field. Any feedback?

ive talked to a recruiter for the reserves a while back and he said that I cant be guaranteed an IT/MIS job since they have plenty of people doing such jobs. Would I have any say in what I would do for a job?

After let?s say 4 years of service, what is my chance of getting a federal FBI type of job?

How do regular companies look at someone with military experience in a potentially unrelated field with a college degree?
Click to expand...

It is much easier to get a top secret clearance after serving in the armed forces - so it will definitely help.
 
If you go into the military now you will get Vets Preferance, TP 5 points. So that will help with any open to all Gov Jobs you get a extra 5points on your score.
 
Military experience is always good, in almost any field. If nothing else, people respect you more, even if you spent 4 years as a cook. To people outside of the military, they don't know how many people in the military just coast through. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: DarkManX
I have always considered joining the military since i was younger, now that im getting ready to graduate with a BBA in MIS and with the job market looking like crap, maybe getting into the military isn?t a bad idea? from the limited research i did i can join as an officer at a O-1 pay grade which is pretty low compared to the average starting salary for a job in the MIS field. Any feedback?

ive talked to a recruiter for the reserves a while back and he said that I cant be guaranteed an IT/MIS job since they have plenty of people doing such jobs. Would I have any say in what I would do for a job?

After let?s say 4 years of service, what is my chance of getting a federal FBI type of job?

How do regular companies look at someone with military experience in a potentially unrelated field with a college degree?
Click to expand...

promotion to captain (o3) is automatic.

if you get your top secret clearance, you can have any civilain govt contractor job at $75k+. there's more $ being thrown at top secret contractor jobs than # of people that can pass the clearance or the time to get cleared for top secret.
 
As far as I can recall, you start as O-1 and will be no lower than an O-3 (Captain) in 4 years. After that becoming an O-4 (Major) will take some work. I would NOT worry about pay whatsoever. You get a bunch of benefits in the armed forces, and the Air Force is the way to go.

If you truly want to go to the AF, or even contemplating it, I would say go for it. Who knows, you may even choose to stay in there for 20+ years and get full retirement and all the goodies that come with it. Here is the payscale. You will start making decent money after your 4 years. Plus you get clothing, food and housing allowances added on top of it.
 
Chances of getting an FBI job 4.565% higher than non-AF applicants, 53.433% higher than non-servicemembers. Depending on the annual rainfall of course.
 
I forgot to mention I am also bi-lingual (i speak russian fluently) dunno if thats in very high demand right now... does that make any difference? how much control do I have over what my job would be? I know it depends on the ASVAB results.
 
Originally posted by: Adrenaline
As far as I can recall, you start as O-1 and will be no lower than an O-3 (Captain) in 4 years. After that becoming an O-4 (Major) will take some work. I would NOT worry about pay whatsoever. You get a bunch of benefits in the armed forces, and the Air Force is the way to go.

If you truly want to go to the AF, or even contemplating it, I would say go for it. Who knows, you may even choose to stay in there for 20+ years and get full retirement and all the goodies that come with it. Here is the payscale. You will start making decent money after your 4 years. Plus you get clothing, food and housing allowances added on top of it.
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hm.. you top out on 0-3 (capt) after 14yrs. of course if you dont make major (o4) by 9th year, get out. it's not worth staying for the full 20yrs as a non-navy capt.

you top out at o4 after 18yrs.

you top out at o5 (lt colonel) after 22yrs.

so it looks like o5 @22yrs is the sweet spot to retire.


edit:
Top out in pay
 
go through OCS and become an officer
you don't go into a specific area as an officer, you are in charge of a group of airmen and they move you around to get experience in different things
 
Well, I hope you understand that until you pin on Capt (O-3) you're going to be giving coffee and BJs to Commanders, and pushing papers for about 4 years, unless your lucky. OH, and don't forget that it's your enlisted guys that make your OPRs sparkle. Don't go in thinkin' you're better then everyone because you've got a degree. NCOs can bury butter bars so fast your head will spin. The last thing the AF needs is another "holier than thou" LT running around thinking he/she runs the show. Learn from your SNCOs and become a good leader!

Good Luck!!!


Contrary to popular beliefs, Korea is not a cool place to be stationed. And forget about Hawaii too.

Lastly, when an A1C doesn't salute you remember he's just thinking "I've been in the AF longer than this guy"..... and he's right.
 
Originally posted by: DarkManX
I forgot to mention I am also bi-lingual (i speak russian fluently) dunno if thats in very high demand right now... does that make any difference? how much control do I have over what my job would be? I know it depends on the ASVAB results.
Click to expand...

Your golden then...bilinqual is in high demand (for both the military and other Federal jobs). And with the amount of work the FBI has on its hands with cyber criminals from Russia (among other things)... you will have no problem getting hired by the FBI (or CIA... but with Obama coming down on agents... may not be a good place for a career now).

If you are going in as an officer you don't take the asvab... similar but harder officer test.
 
Ex USAF

Went through OCS

When I came off of active duty, I went to work for same Defense contractor that my best man in college did. My pay was about 10% higher than his.

While in the service as a junior officer, the pay was tight with a family (kids qualified for free lunches), but we had decent medical care and a 4 bd house that was normally field grade issue.

And my father-in-law had to salute me even though he was an Army E8😀

I have always been told that having the military background was a plus and being an officer was even better.

Only regret (now, not then) was that I left as an O5 before the full 20 (15 did not exist at that time).

PM for additonal info if desired
 
Originally posted by: Turfzilla
Well, I hope you understand that until you pin on Capt (O-3) you're going to be giving coffee and BJs to Commanders, and pushing papers for about 4 years, unless your lucky. OH, and don't forget that it's your enlisted guys that make your OPRs sparkle. Don't go in thinkin' you're better then everyone because you've got a degree. NCOs can bury butter bars so fast your head will spin. The last thing the AF needs is another "holier than thou" LT running around thinking he/she runs the show. Learn from your SNCOs and become a good leader!

Good Luck!!!


Contrary to popular beliefs, Korea is not a cool place to be stationed. And forget about Hawaii too.

Lastly, when an A1C doesn't salute you remember he's just thinking "I've been in the AF longer than this guy"..... and he's right.
Click to expand...

Yeah my brother is a Captain in the Army and respects the hell out of his NCOs, that being said if a Staff Sergeant or Sgt 1st Class doesn't salute him they are gonna get chewed to hell. The Armed Forces are built on structure and rules and although you need to earn respect as a young officer you don't have to earn what the rules have already given you.
 
Originally posted by: thepd7
Originally posted by: Turfzilla
Well, I hope you understand that until you pin on Capt (O-3) you're going to be giving coffee and BJs to Commanders, and pushing papers for about 4 years, unless your lucky. OH, and don't forget that it's your enlisted guys that make your OPRs sparkle. Don't go in thinkin' you're better then everyone because you've got a degree. NCOs can bury butter bars so fast your head will spin. The last thing the AF needs is another "holier than thou" LT running around thinking he/she runs the show. Learn from your SNCOs and become a good leader!

Good Luck!!!


Contrary to popular beliefs, Korea is not a cool place to be stationed. And forget about Hawaii too.

Lastly, when an A1C doesn't salute you remember he's just thinking "I've been in the AF longer than this guy"..... and he's right.
Click to expand...

Yeah my brother is a Captain in the Army and respects the hell out of his NCOs, that being said if a Staff Sergeant or Sgt 1st Class doesn't salute him they are gonna get chewed to hell. The Armed Forces are built on structure and rules and although you need to earn respect as a young officer you don't have to earn what the rules have already given you.
Click to expand...

Yup, the respect is given to the rank not the man. However, after you're given the cold shoulder by some douchebag officer for the hundredth time, it makes the process a little more grueling.

 
Originally posted by: keird
That's Colonel Courtesy to us?
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Only to those that have served.

Helps me keep those with some egos in line.

Also, gives some weight to military matters especially in P&N

 
Riding a desk as an Army O-1 here. No chance of deploying, doing my MOS, or anything exciting. I mainly maintain a training calendar in Excel and make Powerpoint presentations... I left my job as an information systems large group manager for this. I was making 6 figures and was still upwardly mobile. But I wanted to be all hooah and serve in the war. Didn't work out for me.
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Riding a desk as an Army O-1 here. No chance of deploying, doing my MOS, or anything exciting. I mainly maintain a training calendar in Excel and make Powerpoint presentations... I left my job as an information systems large group manager for this. I was making 6 figures and was still upwardly mobile. But I wanted to be all hooah and serve in the war. Didn't work out for me.
Click to expand...

Woah. That's dedication.

YGPM

 
I think for getting into the FBI that would help you for sure. The military can be a great stepping stone for certain careers as long as you don't go for kill school.

My best friends oldest brother up was in the Army in the late 80's and early 90's and was able to get an FBI job afterwords in forensics down in New Mexico.
 
Originally posted by: Common Courtesy
Originally posted by: keird
That's Colonel Courtesy to us?
Click to expand...

Only to those that have served.

Helps me keep those with some egos in line.

Also, gives some weight to military matters especially in P&N
Click to expand...

thought noone cared/respected light Colonels (or majors). Either get full bird, or go home?
 
Originally posted by: JEDI
Originally posted by: Common Courtesy
Originally posted by: keird
That's Colonel Courtesy to us?
Click to expand...

Only to those that have served.

Helps me keep those with some egos in line.

Also, gives some weight to military matters especially in P&N
Click to expand...

thought noone cared/respected light Colonels (or majors). Either get full bird, or go home?
Click to expand...

Only at the Pentagon. A Major is like an E-4 in that joint.

 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Riding a desk as an Army O-1 here. No chance of deploying, doing my MOS, or anything exciting. I mainly maintain a training calendar in Excel and make Powerpoint presentations... I left my job as an information systems large group manager for this. I was making 6 figures and was still upwardly mobile. But I wanted to be all hooah and serve in the war. Didn't work out for me.
Click to expand...

That blows
 
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