thinking about joining the airforce reserve

[bignateyk]

Is anyone here in the military reserves? What can I expect as far as training goes? Would it be something specific to my area, or do I have to do general army-type training as well?

Is it worth it? (10K signing bonus, $550 a month for 2 days/month, 2 weeks/year)

 

[BoomerD]

Go for it...the USAF needs truck drivers in Iraq...

(sadly, that's more-or-less true)

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Go for it...the USAF needs truck drivers in Iraq...

(sadly, that's more-or-less true)

well, I was thinking now would be as good of a time as any to join since the war in iraq is winding down, and obama probably won't be starting any new wars, so my 6-8 year committment would be ending about the time obama is leaving probably.

 

[dirtboy]

Originally posted by: bignateyk
and obama probably won't be starting any new wars

Based on what he said during the debates I would completely disagree with you.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: bignateyk

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Go for it...the USAF needs truck drivers in Iraq...

(sadly, that's more-or-less true)

well, I was thinking now would be as good of a time as any to join since the war in iraq is winding down, and obama probably won't be starting any new wars, so my 6-8 year committment would be ending about the time obama is leaving probably.

Unless Obama does the unthinkable and we just walk away from Iraq...we'll be doing well to be out of that shithole in 6-8 years...

 

[lupi]

the airforce reserves are up to 10k signing bonuses, wow.

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: bignateyk

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Go for it...the USAF needs truck drivers in Iraq...

(sadly, that's more-or-less true)

well, I was thinking now would be as good of a time as any to join since the war in iraq is winding down, and obama probably won't be starting any new wars, so my 6-8 year committment would be ending about the time obama is leaving probably.

Unless Obama does the unthinkable and we just walk away from Iraq...we'll be doing well to be out of that shithole in 6-8 years...

I'm sure we'll always have a presence there. They probably won't be sending new reserves over if they are starting to pull troops though.

 

[AndrewR]

Don't expect the 2 days/month and 2 weeks/year bit anymore. The Reserves are an operational reserve, not a strategic one, particularly if you go with an airframe like an airlifter (C-130, C-17). For this year, I'm looking at 2 days/month but also about 4-5 weeks between training and exercises. If we end up getting a tasking for deployment, I could go for anywhere from 2-6 months (2 is more likely though).

Anyway, you'll have to attend basic training and then the specific job training for your AFSC, whatever that ends up being. The length and difficulty of the 2nd one varies widely depending on what job you'll have. Some courses are only a few weeks long while some are six months or more.

I'm headed out tomorrow to my unit. I love getting into uniform and truly miss being on active duty. The Reserves is the closest I can get, and I have enjoyed it so far (only been with the Reserves for a few months now). If you have any specific questions, either post them here or send me a PM.

Major AndrewR, USAFR

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Don't expect the 2 days/month and 2 weeks/year bit anymore. The Reserves are an operational reserve, not a strategic one, particularly if you go with an airframe like an airlifter (C-130, C-17). For this year, I'm looking at 2 days/month but also about 4-5 weeks between training and exercises. If we end up getting a tasking for deployment, I could go for anywhere from 2-6 months (2 is more likely though).

Anyway, you'll have to attend basic training and then the specific job training for your AFSC, whatever that ends up being. The length and difficulty of the 2nd one varies widely depending on what job you'll have. Some courses are only a few weeks long while some are six months or more.

I'm headed out tomorrow to my unit. I love getting into uniform and truly miss being on active duty. The Reserves is the closest I can get, and I have enjoyed it so far (only been with the Reserves for a few months now). If you have any specific questions, either post them here or send me a PM.

Major AndrewR, USAFR

How long is basic training? Do you get paid extra while you are attending that (I assume it is a full time thing so I would have to miss work while I was doing it?)

Also, do you really stick to what your job description is? I don't want to end up with some shit job that I didn't sign up to do...

 

[The_Dude8]

andrewR, you got pm.

 

[sonambulo]

After a lot of research on the subject and even a thread started here pestering military members about joining, I was ready to sign up. Unfortunately I got DQ'd for asthma. If you're able to do it, I say go for it.

 

[BarneyFife]

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Is anyone here in the military reserves? What can I expect as far as training goes? Would it be something specific to my area, or do I have to do general army-type training as well?

Is it worth it? (10K signing bonus, $550 a month for 2 days/month, 2 weeks/year)

So you value your physical and mental well-being at $550 a month. About the price of leasing a 3 series. Congrats.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: BarneyFife

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Is anyone here in the military reserves? What can I expect as far as training goes? Would it be something specific to my area, or do I have to do general army-type training as well?

Is it worth it? (10K signing bonus, $550 a month for 2 days/month, 2 weeks/year)

So you value your physical and mental well-being at $550 a month. About the price of leasing a 3 series. Congrats.

Most people in this country would see their physical and mental well-being increased tremendously through physical fitness and service to a cause greater than themselves. Apparently you aren't one of them, and the only thing you serve is materialism. It is a good thing for you that there are millions who do not share your self-centered viewpoint.

 

[Joemonkey]

Originally posted by: AndrewR

Originally posted by: BarneyFife

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Is anyone here in the military reserves? What can I expect as far as training goes? Would it be something specific to my area, or do I have to do general army-type training as well?

Is it worth it? (10K signing bonus, $550 a month for 2 days/month, 2 weeks/year)

So you value your physical and mental well-being at $550 a month. About the price of leasing a 3 series. Congrats.

Most people in this country would see their physical and mental well-being increased tremendously through physical fitness and service to a cause greater than themselves. Apparently you aren't one of them, and the only thing you serve is materialism. It is a good thing for you that there are millions who do not share your self-centered viewpoint.

sucks the ones that care are the ones defending the ones that don't!

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: BarneyFife

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Is anyone here in the military reserves? What can I expect as far as training goes? Would it be something specific to my area, or do I have to do general army-type training as well?

Is it worth it? (10K signing bonus, $550 a month for 2 days/month, 2 weeks/year)

So you value your physical and mental well-being at $550 a month. About the price of leasing a 3 series. Congrats.

And you are obviously not worth the valuable oxygen you choke down in order to spew this kind of shit out at better people. I'd say he's ahead of the game.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: bignateyk

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Don't expect the 2 days/month and 2 weeks/year bit anymore. The Reserves are an operational reserve, not a strategic one, particularly if you go with an airframe like an airlifter (C-130, C-17). For this year, I'm looking at 2 days/month but also about 4-5 weeks between training and exercises. If we end up getting a tasking for deployment, I could go for anywhere from 2-6 months (2 is more likely though).

Anyway, you'll have to attend basic training and then the specific job training for your AFSC, whatever that ends up being. The length and difficulty of the 2nd one varies widely depending on what job you'll have. Some courses are only a few weeks long while some are six months or more.

I'm headed out tomorrow to my unit. I love getting into uniform and truly miss being on active duty. The Reserves is the closest I can get, and I have enjoyed it so far (only been with the Reserves for a few months now). If you have any specific questions, either post them here or send me a PM.

Major AndrewR, USAFR

How long is basic training? Do you get paid extra while you are attending that (I assume it is a full time thing so I would have to miss work while I was doing it?)

Also, do you really stick to what your job description is? I don't want to end up with some shit job that I didn't sign up to do...

What is it? Soldier first, medic second, MOS third?

I'm not discouraging you, just realize that you join as a soldier with all the baggage. Also, unlike the Canadian Reserves, I believe you can get activated/deployed anytime without volunteering after enlisting as a reserve soldier.