Question for any USAF officers on here (or heck, any military!)

[CQuinn]

I understand your point that all are valuable, but HP's point is that the foot soldiers are the guys who are sleeping on the ground battling bugs, disease, and fear while the AF and Navy guys are sleeping in their air conditioned bunks.

That's the only point that he was trying to make.

Then he made it badly, it may not be eating dirt, but troops on a flightline, or aircraft carrier face their own
types of danger. And having a desk job is no gaurantee that you won't get assigned to a desk as the
next target in bagdad or some other "interesting" site.

You can be put in danger in any miltary position.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: CQuinn

I understand your point that all are valuable, but HP's point is that the foot soldiers are the guys who are sleeping on the ground battling bugs, disease, and fear while the AF and Navy guys are sleeping in their air conditioned bunks.

That's the only point that he was trying to make.

Then he made it badly, it may not be eating dirt, but troops on a flightline, or aircraft carrier face their own
types of danger. And having a desk job is no gaurantee that you won't get assigned to a desk as the
next target in bagdad or some other "interesting" site.

You can be put in danger in any miltary position.

I absolutely agree. Our point (mine and HP's) is that the ground troops have a harder life and sacrifice more. That's all.

Good God, troops were killed everyday in training accidents during peacetime and you never heard that on the news. Now when someone gets killed or a helicopter crashes it's headline news.

 

[CQuinn]

Back then we didn't have to feed the 24-hour media beast.

I remember when CNN's headline news first started, and all the hype around desert shield/storm.
After that war (with the U.S. involved) became just another ratings gimmick, unfortunately.


Oh, and one other thing that hearing from other vets reminds me of...

Synthesis, the one thing I can garauntee about a military carreer:

You will not get what you want; as soon as you sign that paper and swear the oath, you get
what the military wants, no ifs, ands, or buts. It can be a great life (in peacetime) but you don't
go into with a plan for your whole life written out. You go into it with low expectations and then can
be pleasantly surprised with how things work out.

BTW, there is nothing that says you cannot work on your own business ideas while in the military, you
just have to accept that thier priorities come first.

 

[OutHouse]

If you want it bad enough you are going to have to work extra extra hard at it. The Air force has a caste system when it comes to pilots. you will be competing against the Air Force academy grads for any pilot slot. They are on the top of the caste system and regular college/rotc/ots candidates are at the bottom.

Don?t think for a min that if you make it to the pilots seat it goes away, it will follow you through out your career.

just my .02 cents.


instead of regular Air Force, you might want to look at the Guard and Reserves.

 

[rahvin]

Boy you are young and enthusastic about life. A prime example of generation Y mentality. I hope you can achieve your dreams and life doesn't deal you a hand you don't like. :beer:

 

[J0hnny]

There are combat veterans in ATOT?

I wish I could meet one in real life. I've always wanted to experience combat but parents would kill me if I served in the military.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: J0hnny
There are combat veterans in ATOT?

I wish I could meet one in real life. I've always wanted to experience combat but parents would kill me if I served in the military.

No you don't. You may think you want to experience combat...but you don't.

 

[TheGameIs21]

1. No. You most likely won't be flying anything but a military trainer towards the end of your first 5 years.

2. See the recruiter. They have many "on the book" rules that they will waive. (GET IT ALL IN WRITTING BEFORE YOU SIGN ANYTHING)

3. See the recruiter. Entry Salary all depends on how you go in... OC, Cadet, Enlist etc... This is not a negotiable amount. You get paid this amount until the federal government decides to increase something or you earn a promotion.

4. Travel and Relocation opportunities... MANY. Likelyhood that you will get your dream assignments... VERY LOW. It all hinges on a number of things. Needs of the service, Your performance, Your skills and where they are needed, your ranking against other's in your field, etc...

I advise the following four things to everyone that goes to talk to a recruiter about enlisting...
1. Get EVERY PROMISE in writting.
2. Get EVERY PROMISE in writting.
3. Get EVERY PROMISE in writting. ( I am not kidding about this either.)
4. Get an education while you are in the service if your assignment allows and sign up for the GI Bill.

 

[alm4rr]

oh and btw, b/c you want to get an MBA doesn't mean you're gonna be allowed to get it on the military's dime. You are more likely to get a MPA since that is what the military is geared towards, adminstrators and not entrepreneurs.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: J0hnny
There are combat veterans in ATOT?

I wish I could meet one in real life. I've always wanted to experience combat but parents would kill me if I served in the military.

Myself and Happy Puppy I know of.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: tnitsuj

Originally posted by: J0hnny
There are combat veterans in ATOT?

I wish I could meet one in real life. I've always wanted to experience combat but parents would kill me if I served in the military.

No you don't. You may think you want to experience combat...but you don't.

You're right, you don't. Even after you've trained for years and you think you're prepared, when it comes time to pack your sh!t, you're scared. badly.

In Happy Puppy's case he was drafted IIRC. Those guys had very little training before they went. I was lucky in that I was in for almost 5 years before I headed to Saudi.

 

[jemcam]

double post

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: jemcam

You're right, you don't. Even after you've trained for years and you think you're prepared, when it comes time to pack your sh!t, you're scared. badly.

In Happy Puppy's case he was drafted IIRC. Those guys had very little training before they went. I was lucky in that I was in for almost 5 years before I headed to Saudi.

Yeah people are thinking "OH I WILL HAVE A BIG GUN" or be in a big tank, etc...problem is the 'other team' also had big guns and you are on their turf they know way better.

It'd be like someone trying to compete with me on the level of idiot....I have way more experience there, it's also where my mail is delivered.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: jemcam

Originally posted by: tnitsuj

Originally posted by: J0hnny
There are combat veterans in ATOT?

I wish I could meet one in real life. I've always wanted to experience combat but parents would kill me if I served in the military.

No you don't. You may think you want to experience combat...but you don't.

You're right, you don't. Even after you've trained for years and you think you're prepared, when it comes time to pack your sh!t, you're scared. badly.

In Happy Puppy's case he was drafted IIRC. Those guys had very little training before they went. I was lucky in that I was in for almost 5 years before I headed to Saudi.

Close, jemcam, but I joined the Army to serve my country and eventually volunteered for VN because I believed in it at the time. Unlike the draftees, I really couldn't complain because I had asked to be there. I had had 8 weeks of basic infantry training and then went to artillery surveying school to learn how to survey in gun emplacements. When I hit the ground in VN they looked at my records and said, "Hey, look, this guy knows how to read a map. The Marines up North are hurting for forward observers." So, I spent half my tour as a Marine. Nope, you don't get to choose where you go or who you sleep with.

Almost started to tell another story. :Q

 

[BillyBatson]

I'm an enlisted member of the USAF currently stationed at Hurlburt Field, FL under the AFSOC command (AF special operations command).
To start with um you getting a commision, successfully completing OTS, and becoming a pilot flying anythgin in the USAF is going to take some time. The fact is I have not heard of any Officer leaving after only 5 years, the shortest I have heard so far is 9. I am not aware if these are personal choices but I know if you go Officer a 10 year commitement is most likely. If youw ant to be out by 5 go enlisted.

Even as an Officer you are not guaranteed to become a pilot! I am not sure of all the requirments but i know 20/20 vision is one of them. I have heard of ppl going to OTS to become a pilot and now they are sitting behind a desk, why? AF needs come first it is one of the first things they teach you (just like how I wanted to be stationed ont he west coast). If you do become a pilot They once again choose what you fly! B1's, B2's, F-22's are awesome and all but don't de dissapointed if you get assigned to C-130's =p.... My best friend who i joined with is a crew cheif on the B1-B Lancer in Dyess Texas and i'm a jet engine mechanic on the MH-53 Pave Low helicopter, i wanted straight jets such as the f-22

You are pretty much correct on the pay a 2nd lieutenant makes that starting out I have a chart somewhere but I can't find it. Room and Board um ok if you live in base housing you don't get anything, your house is paid for and you eat free only on base. If you live off base you get BAH (basic allowance for house) and BAS (basic allowance for supplements) each depending on the area that you are stationed and your rank!!!! For example here in northern floria and as an E-3 i make a certain amount living on base, if (when) i move off base I will get that base pay along with $500 for BAH and $250 for BAS a month. SO $750 to pay my rent and eat which isn't too bad considering average apartment rent is $550-650 here. Most people get roommates and get a 3 bedroom house for $850 and end up pocketing a lot of the extra money.

All in all I do not regret being in, I signed up for 4 years then swithed to 6 while still in basic training. I do plan to get out after 6, open my own business and go to school.

If you any any other q's or if I missed anything just PM and ask.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Originally posted by: jemcam

Originally posted by: tnitsuj

Originally posted by: J0hnny
There are combat veterans in ATOT?

I wish I could meet one in real life. I've always wanted to experience combat but parents would kill me if I served in the military.

No you don't. You may think you want to experience combat...but you don't.

You're right, you don't. Even after you've trained for years and you think you're prepared, when it comes time to pack your sh!t, you're scared. badly.

In Happy Puppy's case he was drafted IIRC. Those guys had very little training before they went. I was lucky in that I was in for almost 5 years before I headed to Saudi.

Close, jemcam, but I joined the Army to serve my country and eventually volunteered for VN because I believed in it at the time. Unlike the draftees, I really couldn't complain because I had asked to be there. I had had 8 weeks of basic infantry training and then went to artillery surveying school to learn how to survey in gun emplacements. When I hit the ground in VN they looked at my records and said, "Hey, look, this guy knows how to read a map. The Marines up North are hurting for forward observers." So, I spent half my tour as a Marine. Nope, you don't get to choose where you go or who you sleep with.

Almost started to tell another story. :Q

I think I know where you're coming from. I had some real dirt bags as bunk mates too, if that's what you're referring to.

 

[lvl3]

Hey SGTBuddy and Billy, good information.

SGTBuddy... what exactly does it mean you went in as an "Aviator" and now are in long haul communications?

Can someone answer this:

If you go in as enlisted, is there any way to become an officer down the line without having to obtain a bachelors degree? I know you can get E5+ and become a non-commisioned officer... but is it possible for enlisted personal to apply for officer candidate/training acadamy and become a commisioned officer at some point? Or are you pretty much stuck as enlisted?

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: lvl3
Hey SGTBuddy and Billy, good information.

SGTBuddy... what exactly does it mean you went in as an "Aviator" and now are in long haul communications?

Can someone answer this:

If you go in as enlisted, is there any way to become an officer down the line without having to obtain a bachelors degree? I know you can get E5+ and become a non-commisioned officer... but is it possible for enlisted personal to apply for officer candidate/training acadamy and become a commisioned officer at some point? Or are you pretty much stuck as enlisted?

From my own personal experience in the Army, having a bachelor's degree was made mandatory around 1992 I think. There were lots of officers who only had AA degrees and basically lost their careers because they refused to go back to school to get their degrees.

When I went to OCS, you had to have an AA or equivalent. Now you must have a bachelors. I don't know if it's still possible, but it used to be that you could go to OCS with less than the minimum, graduate, and not accept a commision until you met your civilian education requirements. That may have changed, I'mnot sure.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: lvl3

If you go in as enlisted, is there any way to become an officer down the line without having to obtain a bachelors degree? I know you can get E5+ and become a non-commisioned officer... but is it possible for enlisted personal to apply for officer candidate/training acadamy and become a commisioned officer at some point? Or are you pretty much stuck as enlisted?

I have no experience in the military, but everyone I know of that does (most of my family, including my father and brother) says if you want to be an officer do that first, becoming enlisted and later becoming an Officer is not a good way to go....you sort of get labelled.

Even if you are a 30+ year E#+++++, you have to salute that 18 year old 2nd leutenant, and some of them get their jollies just off that.

In VN, I am sure many a young officer was shot by a more experienced E5+ so the job got done with minimum loss.