Schadenfreude
Lifer
Okay, I'm seriously considering joining the Air Force. I am:
- Recently finished with a BA (so aiming for the officer-track)
- Fluent in Korean (Native-Level)
- Fluent in English (Native-Level)
- Conversant in Japanese
- Naturalized Citizen
- 24 years old
Although I don't quite know whether this is true or not, apparently, I give a very good impression of people, where they think I'm very bright/ level-headed. This was a while back, but I've also taken the ASVAB for the enlisted track as well . . . and scored high enough where I would qualify for any job I wanted.
Of course, being a nerd, I scored on the top 5% on my ACT's (despite a permanent GPA range of 2.--'s) . . . so I test well.
If I go in, I'm aiming for an intelligence position - with the military's shortage of linguists and enrollment rate, I doubt very much that I'll have very much trouble going in (knock on wood) . . . but what are the pros and cons? I've researched a bit, asked a lot of my friends (a lot of my good friends were enlisted, coincidentally) and they give me an answer that's 50% positive, 50% negative . . . I don't mind so much the constant moving around (I know where I'd be stationed if I went anyhow), or the time involved, but what I *do* mind, however, is the dumbasses above *and* below me - of course I'd get that anywhere, but that's especially pronounced in the military, from what I hear (and see, and read . . ..). But since I'm aiming for intelligence in the Air Force (as opposed, say, to the Marines) as an officer, I'm hoping to sidestep that as much as possible.
And one additional note; since I've been thinking about it for a while I had opportunities where I got to talk to my family about it - they seem opposed to the idea, but they said that they'd support whatever decision I've made - other than potentially exposing myself to danger, I don't see why they're so opposed to it - I think that's a good chunk of the reason why I'm hesitating.
Also, I do not plan on going in as a career choice. I mean, if I end up enjoying it so much, fine; but at this juncture, I hope to return to the private sector once I've finished my minimum requirement - but I'm asking this because 4 years active duty is still a long commitment IMO.
As far as a long-term career goal, I'd like to continue my higher-level education, say, masters or a PhD in Linguistics, so I think it'll fit with my overall plans. (Yes, I realize that "Foreign Languages" and "Linguistics" are two different fields)
So, in your opinion, is there anything glaring about the military I've missed? Do the pros outweigh the cons? And this is a very, very rudimentary impression; but hypothetically, if a close friend of yours that's at least halfway bright was considering the same thing, would you recommend it to him?
Cliff's Notes:
- Considering Air Force Officer track
- Did some rudimentary research
- Talked to some people, 50% yay, 50% nay
- Any pros/cons?
UPDATE: I just talked to an online advisor . . . and they're only accepting technical degrees. 🙁
UPDATE2: Air Force said no, but Army said yes - will look into it some more! 😀
UPDATE3: Took the ASVAB to-day (12/12/05) have yet to get the actual score, but scored a 99 on the AFQT - it's a percentage, of which I got the highest score. :thumbsup:😀
- Recently finished with a BA (so aiming for the officer-track)
- Fluent in Korean (Native-Level)
- Fluent in English (Native-Level)
- Conversant in Japanese
- Naturalized Citizen
- 24 years old
Although I don't quite know whether this is true or not, apparently, I give a very good impression of people, where they think I'm very bright/ level-headed. This was a while back, but I've also taken the ASVAB for the enlisted track as well . . . and scored high enough where I would qualify for any job I wanted.
Of course, being a nerd, I scored on the top 5% on my ACT's (despite a permanent GPA range of 2.--'s) . . . so I test well.
If I go in, I'm aiming for an intelligence position - with the military's shortage of linguists and enrollment rate, I doubt very much that I'll have very much trouble going in (knock on wood) . . . but what are the pros and cons? I've researched a bit, asked a lot of my friends (a lot of my good friends were enlisted, coincidentally) and they give me an answer that's 50% positive, 50% negative . . . I don't mind so much the constant moving around (I know where I'd be stationed if I went anyhow), or the time involved, but what I *do* mind, however, is the dumbasses above *and* below me - of course I'd get that anywhere, but that's especially pronounced in the military, from what I hear (and see, and read . . ..). But since I'm aiming for intelligence in the Air Force (as opposed, say, to the Marines) as an officer, I'm hoping to sidestep that as much as possible.
And one additional note; since I've been thinking about it for a while I had opportunities where I got to talk to my family about it - they seem opposed to the idea, but they said that they'd support whatever decision I've made - other than potentially exposing myself to danger, I don't see why they're so opposed to it - I think that's a good chunk of the reason why I'm hesitating.
Also, I do not plan on going in as a career choice. I mean, if I end up enjoying it so much, fine; but at this juncture, I hope to return to the private sector once I've finished my minimum requirement - but I'm asking this because 4 years active duty is still a long commitment IMO.
As far as a long-term career goal, I'd like to continue my higher-level education, say, masters or a PhD in Linguistics, so I think it'll fit with my overall plans. (Yes, I realize that "Foreign Languages" and "Linguistics" are two different fields)
So, in your opinion, is there anything glaring about the military I've missed? Do the pros outweigh the cons? And this is a very, very rudimentary impression; but hypothetically, if a close friend of yours that's at least halfway bright was considering the same thing, would you recommend it to him?
Cliff's Notes:
- Considering Air Force Officer track
- Did some rudimentary research
- Talked to some people, 50% yay, 50% nay
- Any pros/cons?
UPDATE: I just talked to an online advisor . . . and they're only accepting technical degrees. 🙁
UPDATE2: Air Force said no, but Army said yes - will look into it some more! 😀
UPDATE3: Took the ASVAB to-day (12/12/05) have yet to get the actual score, but scored a 99 on the AFQT - it's a percentage, of which I got the highest score. :thumbsup:😀
