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Should I join the Air Force?

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I want to, but I feel that I'm behind in the game since I've already been in college for 2 years.. too late to do ROTC or anything.. I think. I'm too lazy to check 🙂
 
My aunt is an officer in the air force and loves it. Also I have had several students join and go through officer training over the past few years, and I hear a lot of good things back from them. They were pilots, though, not IT-specific.
 
Am back here at Nellis right now.

Dream sheets are only a guideline to the personnel office. As others have said, the needs of the service come first.
The stronger your existing skills, the better chance of a dreamsheet match.

Mustangs (prior-enlisted) officers are more respected because they should have a better idea of how the enlisted system works.
Two problems can develop.
1) The mustang may have an ego problem
2) Theere may not be enough time in to understand the system.

The best mustangs are those that have made NCO before they get a commission.

Kyguy
You can join ROTC as a junior with no problem. Check with you college detechment.
Even if you do not take ROTC officially, the exposure may be worthwile.

I was raising a family when I went to school, to did not "join" ROTC (time constraints). However, I took the academics and it help alot going through OCS.
 
Originally posted by: dquan97
I'm going to see the recruiter tomorrow and hand him my application...its been a couple months since I started thinking about this seriously and I feel that this would be the best place to be at this point in time. How accomodating is the AF in letting me choose where I would be stationed? I'd like to stay at Travis AFB (in Fairfield, CA) or somewhere close to Sacramento.
Click to expand...

I don't know about the
USAF, but the Army is quite accomodating about where they put you. I've never gone to the three places listed on my dreamsheet. If you want an area that nobody else wants or were originally from a hard to fill area, they'll put you there. For me, I've wanted AWAY from Minnesota. (Yet still close in the Midwest.) I've done 10 of my 16 years in Minnesota. No one else is dumb enough to take the assignment.
 
Originally posted by: EngineNr9
Join the Peace Corps.
Click to expand...

Umm, yeah, right...

Spending the next two years in a third-world country digging ditches for pennies a week isnt my idea of "community service".
 
Originally posted by: Cyberian
Originally posted by: SgtBuddy
Yep, some of my best officers were prior enlisted. The one who did my enlistment on 9/11/02 was a prior Master Sergeant.
Click to expand...
That is quite unusual, no?
Click to expand...

Cyberian

Your comment seems to be unclear as to which of the two statements you quoted of SgtBuddy.

See my comment 4 posts up about the valude of mustang officers.
The officer that gave him the re-enlistment oath was an Master Sergeant before he became an officer.

 
The officer (a Captain) who did my reenlistment was a prior Master Sergeant. Not too unusual. Yes, he started later in his career which means he will not be on the Joint Chiefs of Staff one day. He may retire a Major (next one up). That is a much better retirement than a MSgt. Even as a Capt, he is ahead. His wife is also an officer.

He is a good guy that sits back and give me the support I need. The second I find someone uncooperative, I pick up the phone and dial his number. Its like calling Daddy when a bully pesters ya. May seem childish, but in the position I am in now, I cannot afford delays in the minutes. It only takes a few minutes to get a Mig overhead here.

Moist of the time I find I can strech the Sergeant stripes I have far enough to get the job done. 🙂

As for the Base of Preference. The Air Force is looking at ways to improve this process. That is a major complaint so far. You have 16!!! choices to place on your dreamsheet. 8 for the USA and 8 for overseas. If you want to stay near Travis, look at what that base does. They handle large cargo planes. You may want to look at being a jet mechanic. If you want an IT job, they are EVERYWHERE. Computer geeks are needed at every base (and even some remote non-bases). Here is the list of bases I can put on my dream sheet

I am a 5 skill level right now...soon to be 7 I am a 3C251, Tech Controller...the 733t geek.

Location: ALTUS AFB OK
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: ANDERSEN AB GUAM
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: ANDREWS AFB MD
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: ASHEVILLE NC
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: AVIANO AB ITALY
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: BARKSDALE AFB LA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: BEALE AFB CA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: BOLLING AFB DC
Authorized Skill Levels: 5, 7
Location: BROOKS AFB TX
Authorized Skill Levels: 5, 7
Location: BUCKLEY AGB CO
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: CAMP HUMPHRIES KOREA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: CAMP REDCLOUD KOREA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: CANNON AFB NM
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: CHARLESTON AFB SC
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: CHEYENNE MT CO
Authorized Skill Levels: 7
Location: CHROUGHTON RAF UK
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: CP ZAMA JAPAN
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: DAVIS-MONTHAN AZ
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: DENVER CO
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: DOVER AFB DE
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: DYESS AFB TX
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: EDWARDS AFB CA
Authorized Skill Levels: 5, 7
Location: EGLIN AFB FL
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: EIELSON AFB AK
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: ELLSWORTH AFB SD
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: ELMENDORF AFB AK
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: F E WARREN WY
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5
Location: FAIRCHILD AFB WA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: FT GEO G MEADE MD
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: FT HOOD TX
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: FT MCPHERSON GA
Authorized Skill Levels: 7
Location: GOODFELLOW AFB TX
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: GRANDFORKS AFB ND
Authorized Skill Levels: 5, 7
Location: HICKAM AFB HI
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: HILL AFB UT
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: HOLLOMAN AFB NM
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: HURLBURT FIELD FL
Authorized Skill Levels: 5, 7, 9
Location: INCIRLIK TURKEY
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: JOHNSTON ATOLL
Authorized Skill Levels: 7
Location: KADENA AB RYUKU OKINAWA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: KAISERSLAUTERN AIN GM
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: KEESLER AFB MS
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: KEFLAVIK ICELAND
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: KELLY AFB TX
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: KIMHAE KOREA
Authorized Skill Levels: 5, 7
Location: KIRTLAND AFB NM
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: KUNSAN AB KOREA
Authorized Skill Levels: 5, 7
Location: LACKLAND AFB TX
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: LAJES FLD AZORES
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: LAKENHEATH RAF UK
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: LANGLEY AFB VA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: LAUGHLIN AFB TX
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: LITTLE ROCK AFB AR
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: LUKE AFB AZ
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: MACDILL AFB FL
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: MAINZ-KASTEL GERMANY
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: MALMSTROM AFB MT
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5
Location: MANNHEIM GERMANY
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: MAXWELL AFB AL
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: MCCHORD AFB WA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: MCCLELLAN AFB CA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: MCCONNELL AFB KS
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: MCGUIRE AFB NJ
Authorized Skill Levels: 5, 7
Location: MILDENHALL RAF UK
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: MINOT AFB ND
Authorized Skill Levels: 5, 7
Location: MISAWA AB JAPAN
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: MOLESWORTH/RAF UK
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: MOODY AFB GA
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: MORON AB SPAIN
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: MOUNTAIN HOME ID
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: NELLIS AFB NV
Authorized Skill Levels: 5, 7
Location: OFFUTT AFB NE
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: OSAN AB KOREA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: PATRICK AFB FL
Authorized Skill Levels: 7
Location: PENTAGON ADM VA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: PETERSON AFB CO
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: POPE AFB NC
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: RAMSTEIN AB GERMANY
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: RANDOLPH AFB TX
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: RIYADH SAUDI ARABIA
Authorized Skill Levels: 7
Location: ROBIN AFB GA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: SASEBO CTY JAPAN
Authorized Skill Levels: 5, 7
Location: SCHRIEVER AFB CO
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: SCOTT AFB IL
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: SEMBACH AB GERMANY
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5
Location: SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB NC
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: SHAW AFB SC
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: SHEPPARD AFB TX
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: SPANGDAHLEM AB GERMANY
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: TINKER AFB OK
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: TRAVIS AFB CA
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7
Location: TYNDALL AFB FL
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: VANDENBERG AFB CA
Authorized Skill Levels: 7
Location: WASHINGTON CTY DC
Authorized Skill Levels: 7
Location: WHITEMAN AFB MO
Authorized Skill Levels: 5
Location: WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB OH
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: YOKOTA AB JAPAN
Authorized Skill Levels: 3, 5, 7, 9
Location: YONGSAN RESVN KOREA
Authorized Skill Levels: 5

I was a K1A571 before I retrained...AWACS Radar Tech (Flyer).

My Authorized bases were

Tinker AFB, Okla
Elmendorf AFB, AK
Kadena AB, Japan

That's IT! :Q


It's all in the job
 
well, here's an update: I'm going to see the recruiter tomorrow afternoon. He was too busy on monday. I should have my letters of recommendation and application done by then. Are there any other questions I should ask him prior to signing up? I'd like to have a written guarantee of my position and (hopefully) a location too for my peace of mind.
 
1) Are you going to chase a commission (officer) or be a grunt.

2) They should be able to guarentee you a MOS (position) - Base probably will not be confirmed - your request may be considered.

3) If going in as enlisted, they should be able to guarentee you a tech school. See if they will give you a tech school as an officer?

Good Luck and keep us posted.
 
As I remember from talking to the recruiter, I'd be going to tech school after Officer Training School (OTS). SgtBuddy, didn't McClellan, CA AFB close already?
 
SgtBuddy, hey, I'm a 3C251 also.

DQUAN97:
If you want an IT job in the AF 3C2x1 is the way to go. Nothing else in the compairs.
People are all the time asking me what I do and this is my response.
First we maintain the base network. We are the Network Admins for thousands of users. Imagin how that looks on a resume.
Second, we are responsible for the data communications between bases. Not the telephone but the data.

But you can't do this as an Officer. As an Officer you'll be managment. If that's what you want then that's cool.
If you want more info feel free to email me. I'll be happy to talk to you some more about this.
email me here.... My Email
 
GET A GUARANTEED JOB (MOS or AFSC) WHEN YOU SIGN!!! I am yelling, because it is the first mistake most people make when they join the service.

It may take a while to get the job, so don't be in a hurry to go. It took me over 6 months to get my first job in AWACS. That job rocked, but I got tired of flying.

Tell the recruiter. I want a guaranteed job before I sign. Never go in open general, or open electronics, or open anything. If they say you are not qualified to have a guaranteed job ask why before you walk out.
 
Originally posted by: dquan97
As I remember from talking to the recruiter, I'd be going to tech school after Officer Training School (OTS). SgtBuddy, didn't McClellan, CA AFB close already?
Click to expand...

McClellan (Sacremento) closed down 2 years ago.
 
I turned in my application and talked to the recruiter yesterday. The proper term for the Air Force is Officer Training School (OTS), not OCS. The pay rate is an E-5 while in OTS. First four weeks will be regular basic training in dorms (two to a room), and the rest will be more academic. There's no drill sergent. OTS lasts for 12 weeks and tech school will be 17 more weeks. Physical test at the end includes a 2mile run that has to be completed under 16mins. Bonus for anything faster.

Are these correct?
 
Originally posted by: SgtBuddy
GET A GUARANTEED JOB (MOS or AFSC) WHEN YOU SIGN!!! I am yelling, because it is the first mistake most people make when they join the service.

It may take a while to get the job, so don't be in a hurry to go. It took me over 6 months to get my first job in AWACS. That job rocked, but I got tired of flying.

Tell the recruiter. I want a guaranteed job before I sign. Never go in open general, or open electronics, or open anything. If they say you are not qualified to have a guaranteed job ask why before you walk out.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. I am aware of this when I talked to him yesterday. He's going to do this for me when he notifies me of the hiring in a few months. My timeline: interview in a couple of weeks, get hired in Dec., postpone OTS until July or August because I'm getting married in May 29.
 
Originally posted by: PC_Freak
SgtBuddy, hey, I'm a 3C251 also.

DQUAN97:
If you want an IT job in the AF 3C2x1 is the way to go. Nothing else in the compairs.
People are all the time asking me what I do and this is my response.
First we maintain the base network. We are the Network Admins for thousands of users. Imagin how that looks on a resume.
Second, we are responsible for the data communications between bases. Not the telephone but the data.

But you can't do this as an Officer. As an Officer you'll be managment. If that's what you want then that's cool.
If you want more info feel free to email me. I'll be happy to talk to you some more about this.
email me here.... My Email
Click to expand...

What is "3C2x1"? Is this the Network Admin position? I'll ask the recruiter about this...
 
What kind of questions do they ask in the AVSAB? I've heard it's like the SAT (which I did fairly well on) so I wanted to know if there was a website somewhere that had sample tests, and scores required for certain jobs and what-not.
Thanks.
 
Originally posted by: Garet Jax
I wouldn't take joining the military lightly.

Are you prepared to lay down your life for your country?
If someone orders you to do something that will get you killed or get someone else you know/like/love killed, will you comply with that order?
Click to expand...

That is eactly what I went through when I considered joining the Navy at 19.

In the end, talking to some more experienced officers is what talked me out of it. There were just some things I was not willing to do, and an "order" from someone in charge just carries too little weight with me. I personally consider "orders" to be just really strong suggestions, and I was advised by several that such an attitude would cause me never ending grief in the military.

Grasshopper
 
so graduating out of college i can goto OTS, and get a job? is that what im reading? cuz that would be pretty sweet..

what about flying? i would love to learn to fly, but at the same time, my love is in programming/IT can i do both?
 
If I decide to join the military after I graduate from college I'm definately going to go into total gruntitude. I want to join the Army and fire guns...I don't care about all these high tech jobs. Tank crew, artillery crew, or even infantry. I'd also like to pilot helicopters, but my vision sucks and I have to wear glasses.

Those jobs aren't anything glamorous, but are the bread and butter of the military. Why join the military to pussy out in an office room making Powerpoint slides? The front lines are dangerous, but the risks would be worth the experience, IMO. The only problem I see is that when I get out to the real world, my job in the military would not apply to any civilian jobs except for law enforcement.

 
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