Joining the Air Force. Should I?

[Aimster]

Well I've been thinking of joining the Air Force for years now, but never looked into it. I'm really interested in going now, but I have a couple questions. I am 21 years old. Is this too old to join? I still want to finish my education and I was wondering if I could do that while I was at the Air Force. Can anyone tell me about the process once you join. I know you have to go to boot camp. How is that like? Is it the same as the military?

Also I am worried I will be picked on because I am not caucasian. My background is Iranian. That's my biggest concern.

Thanks.

 

[Ryan]

Don't worry about your ethnicity, it doesn't matter. AS far as your age, you're fine. Out of all the braches of the military, the air force has the EASIEST boot camp (basic training). Both of my parents, and my step parents are in the military and they are all happy with their decisions. You get to see the world, have opportunities to make LARGE amounts of tax free cash (my step father has been to Saudi Arabia 3 times for 6 month periods, each time he gets 26k that's tax free, he's over there now), free housing, etc. IT is a smart decision 🙂

 

[Chaotic42]

No, 21 is not too old

You can attend college while you're in the military.

Here's the process:

1. Talk to your recruiter. Tell him/her what you want to do. They'll give you a pre-test. Very simple stuff. You'll fill out about 20,000 pages of paperwork (or they'll just ask you and fill it out themselves). Do you have kids, any history of blah, etc.

2. Go to MEPs. Here you'll spend the night in a local hotel. You'll take the ASVAB, which is a test they give you to determine what you are allowed to do. It's easy as heck, so don't worry about it. They'll give you a drug test, a physical, a sit down exam (where they ask you stuff).

3. Assuming everything is ok, you'll talk to a career counselor (or whatever they're called), you'll get a job code, then get sworn in. They'll give you a date to ship out.

Boot camp (or Basic Military Training) is done to break you down. Your day is filled with regimen. You learn to work as a team, you learn about codes of conduct, etc.

 

[SinfulWeeper]

Before reading this thread I thought you had and AMD CPU and was gunna recommend you move this the Cases & Cooling forums 😛

Should answer more than we can.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
Don't worry about your ethnicity, it doesn't matter. AS far as your age, you're fine. Out of all the braches of the military, the air force has the EASIEST boot camp (basic training). Both of my parents, and my step parents are in the military and they are all happy with their decisions. You get to see the world, have opportunities to make LARGE amounts of tax free cash (my step father has been to Saudi Arabia 3 times for 6 month periods, each time he gets 26k that's tax free, he's over there now), free housing, etc. IT is a smart decision 🙂

how does he get 26k every time? i thought military worked on salary?

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: rbloedow Don't worry about your ethnicity, it doesn't matter. AS far as your age, you're fine. Out of all the braches of the military, the air force has the EASIEST boot camp (basic training). Both of my parents, and my step parents are in the military and they are all happy with their decisions. You get to see the world, have opportunities to make LARGE amounts of tax free cash (my step father has been to Saudi Arabia 3 times for 6 month periods, each time he gets 26k that's tax free, he's over there now), free housing, etc. IT is a smart decision 🙂

how does he get 26k every time? i thought military worked on salary?

They do, but there are also many incentives to voluntarily serve in a temporary position overseas. Of course that amount varies on your rank/job, but it's all good. 🙂 ANd it's all TAX FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

 

[KK]

I was in the AF from 93 to 97. It is something I would recommend to anyone who is unsure of what they want to do. Basic training was pretty simple, tech school was fun, and the main job was like a 9-5 job. I would definitely go in knowing what job you would end up with. Personally I wouldn't go into security, electronics is what I went into and that would be alright. Medical is where most of the women go into, that and clerical positions. Overall, it'll be a good experience.

KK

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: rbloedow Don't worry about your ethnicity, it doesn't matter. AS far as your age, you're fine. Out of all the braches of the military, the air force has the EASIEST boot camp (basic training). Both of my parents, and my step parents are in the military and they are all happy with their decisions. You get to see the world, have opportunities to make LARGE amounts of tax free cash (my step father has been to Saudi Arabia 3 times for 6 month periods, each time he gets 26k that's tax free, he's over there now), free housing, etc. IT is a smart decision 🙂

how does he get 26k every time? i thought military worked on salary?

They do, but there are also many incentives to voluntarily serve in a temporary position overseas. Of course that amount varies on your rank/job, but it's all good. 🙂 ANd it's all TAX FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

Most tours over there was only 3 months, but I think there was an option to extend to just under 180 days. If you went for 180 or more then it wouldn't be a tour, but an assignment and they would do anything to get you out before that happened. I could see making around that amount if the rank was greater than what I had, I probably cleared 8-10,000 for three months.

KK

 

[jteef]

the only thing I would like to say is that if you want to go to school while you're there, it can be difficult if you are in a job that deploys often. Stationary jobs might be kind of rare, but you will have to get a more qualified opinion on that...

If you want to have fun for a few years, see the world, meet cool people, learn a lot, use the GI bill for school after you separate, then I think it would be a great idea.

 

[AnimeKnight]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
No, 21 is not too old

You can attend college while you're in the military.

Here's the process:

1. Talk to your recruiter. Tell him/her what you want to do. They'll give you a pre-test. Very simple stuff. You'll fill out about 20,000 pages of paperwork (or they'll just ask you and fill it out themselves). Do you have kids, any history of blah, etc.

2. Go to MEPs. Here you'll spend the night in a local hotel. You'll take the ASVAB, which is a test they give you to determine what you are allowed to do. It's easy as heck, so don't worry about it. They'll give you a drug test, a physical, a sit down exam (where they ask you stuff).

3. Assuming everything is ok, you'll talk to a career counselor (or whatever they're called), you'll get a job code, then get sworn in. They'll give you a date to ship out.

Boot camp (or Basic Military Training) is done to break you down. Your day is filled with regimen. You learn to work as a team, you learn about codes of conduct, etc.

that's pretty much right on the dot for procedure. I am 24 and I am about to take my ASVAB this week. I have been talking/thinking/asking about joining (if you searh OT you will see me posting couple times regarding this subject) and I have finally concluded that joining AF will definitely help me in the long run. I wish you the best of luck.

one thing about the Boot Camp. I talked to a recent AF Airman that just finished his Boot Camp. He said it was okay. If you can tune out the yelling you will be fine. It's more mental.