Which should I join. Army of Air Force?

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Tripleshot

Elite Member
Jan 29, 2000
7,218
1
0
One good enlisted career path in the AF is automatic flight control specialist. That's the infamous "black box", the first thing sought after in a crash, after locating body parts and ordinance, not neccesarily in that order.

Another job for enlisted is Radar Control Operator. Then you are in the Tower controlling take offs and landings, or in a dark room, gazing at a radar screen and stacking aircraft for landing and take off patterns.

Both of these jobs are rewarding, lucrative civilian jobs should you not make a career of the AF. My advice, if you are not collage grad going in as an officer, is get in, get a good fall back career, and get your B.S. degree while you are inlisted. Then, get your commision to officer and stay for 20 to get a very nice retirement, courtisy of all us tax payers.

To have a nice retirement promised to you at 40, and still have a marketable skill level for when you get out, well that's just the frosting on the cake. ;)
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
If you have to ask this question, just join the Army and do the Air Force a favor.

Unless...you didn't score high enough on the ASVAB to enter the Air Force?
 

NinjaGnome

Platinum Member
Jul 21, 2001
2,002
0
76
lol score high enough on the asvab lol. I dont really care if my skills carry over to the real world. I just want to be able to do something that I like.
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Um, w/o taking the ASVAB, you can't join ANY service.

ASVAB = Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (test)
 

NinjaGnome

Platinum Member
Jul 21, 2001
2,002
0
76
I am very well aware of the test and did very well on it. The airforce recruiter said it was good enough to get just about any job there.
 

BuckNaked

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,211
0
76
I think you should begin by evaluating what kind of person you are, and your maturity level... I don't mean to offend you by this... But going from high school straight into the Rangers is difficult for quite a few... its partially why they have such a high washout rate.... As arduous as the physical demands are, its the mental aspect by far that is the most difficult part. I can't really comment on the Air Force, but I see the transition from high school to the Air Force lifestyle as a somewhat easier transition. I would suggest trying to find someone around where you live who was a Ranger and talking to them before enlisting, as most people aren't completely aware of what they are getting themselves into when they enlist for the Rangers...

If you go into the Rangers with an Infantry MOS, you will go through Basic, AIT, Airborne School and then off to RIP (things have changed considerably since I have done this, prior to the formation of the 3rd Ranger Battalion, RIP was done at the Battalion you were assigned to, either 1st or 2nd, now I believe RIP is done at Benning) after graduating RIP, you will go on to a Battalion and will train, go on deployments etc.... Generally you would be at the Battalion for quite some time before being sent off to Ranger School. I think anywhere from 6-18 months....

When I went to Basic, my entire Platoon was made up of guys who enlisted to into the Rangers, except for one guy who had enlisted for Special Forces... Along the way from Basic to graduating from RIP, around 7 or 8 of some 32 guys made it, the rest falling to the wayside for one reason or another.... So be prepared that you might washout for whatever reason, and could wind up being a 'leg' if you don't make it all the way through...When I went through Airborne, we had quite a few guys who were going through who were Special Operations from other branches of the service, who had already completed most of there training, and then washed out... To this very day, I still wonder how 2 navy SEALs washed out of a school I considered a cakewalk....

As far as the Air Force Combat Controller, I think you need to be an E-5 or higher to qualify, but I am highly uncertain of that... I believe that a fair amount of the Combat Controllers have come into that after serving in other branches of the service, namely Army Rangers and Marines... They are very hard core and a very elite unit.... PJ's are another elite unit....

As to some of the comments about SF vs. Rangers... They are both good units, with very different missions.... Rangers do tend to be younger... I believe you can no longer enlist and go straight into the SF track, but I could be wrong.... A lot of Rangers do go onto SF, or Delta for that matter, I have also known some who have gone onto Army Aviation or any number of other tracks.... And don't discount the fact that although a lot of the training doesn't directly translate to civilian jobs, it does show a high degree of motivation and discipline that employers may want to give a second look at. Its what you do with it that counts....

Just some food for thought for you... I wish someone had told me some of these things when I had enlisted, but it was a long time ago... Good luck what ever your descision..

Dave
 

ROTC1983

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2002
6,130
0
71
Well, if you have the option, go to college and get your degree. Take ROTC in whatever branch you want to join and go in as an officer. As of right now I am with the Army ROTC at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Going to be a fun four years :)
 

jteef

Golden Member
Feb 20, 2001
1,355
0
76
I think you need to figure out exactly what it is you want to do with your life before you make a decision like this. not saying you shouldn't join, but when it comes down to it, if you don't have a plan, you are probably just wasting 4 years of your life in addition to getting paid next to nothing in the process. I would consider the ROTC Program.

http://www.usmilitary.about.com

There is a whole lot of info at the above url.
 

sniperbob

Member
Oct 22, 2002
155
0
0
ROTC is a nice way of getting into the military if you want to do the support side of the military. Currently, as of 2004, we are going to have an extra 1700 2nd lieutenant, making some of the more interesting MOS virtually impossible to get unless you're top of the list, or you done some training as an SNP cadet, but that's a whole can of worm.

If you intend to be an army ranger, talk to a recruiter, they can give you a track that will allow you a shot at ranger school, whether you make it or not is up to you. But that's also a fairly good way of becoming a combat controller in the air force, that unit is almost exclusively former special forces that were in the navy, marine or army that switch over to the airforce. Almost no chance of joining them directly without having been there and done that. However, SAR (search and rescue) is probably your best option. They take more applicants than the rangers, but their training is ten folds harder, but you will definitely be working along side with almost all the special forces units out there, which might be what you're looking for.
 

DanTMWTMP

Lifer
Oct 7, 2001
15,908
19
81
Originally posted by: ROTC1983
Well, if you have the option, go to college and get your degree. Take ROTC in whatever branch you want to join and go in as an officer. As of right now I am with the Army ROTC at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Going to be a fun four years :)

i fervently agree..after the armed forces, what are you going to do?..flip burgers?.....going to college is a much more wiser choice..for anyone... ..and ROTC1983..u lucky bastard! hehehe
 

BooneRebel

Platinum Member
Mar 22, 2001
2,229
0
0
In a combat deployment you have two choices: Rolling around in the mud with the Army grunts eating C-rations, or flying back to your Air Force base, taking a hot shower, and eating a hot meal. You decide...
 

jemcam

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2001
3,676
0
0
Originally posted by: TheEvil1
Air FOrce = Ranger BTW

Army - Green Beret

id say go with teh airforce. boot camp is a lil easier. or so my friends tell me and you get to play with cooler things like planes. and crap. and you get to jump oyt of them and thats always fun

dont know much about pay. but my brothers friend went last summer and just got back form what ever and he makes anough that he bought a 2001 PT cruiser. so it cant be that bad


A Ranger is an Army elite fighting force similar to Special Forces, but they fight conventional warfare only. Special forces conducts unconventional warfare like undercover ops. Originally started in the 1700's by an Army unit called "Roger's Rangers".

Here are the Standing Orders of Roger's Rangers:

1. All Rangers are to be subject to the rules and articles of war; to appear at roll- call every evening, on their own parade, equipped, each with a firelock, sixty rounds of powder and ball, and a hatchet, at which time an officer from each company is to inspect the same, to see they are in order, so as to be ready on any emergency to march at a minute's warning; and before they are dismissed, the necessary guards are to be draughted and scouts for the next day appointed.

2. Whenever you are ordered out to the enemies forts or frontiers for discoveries, if your number be small, march in a single file, keeping at such distance from each other as to prevent one shot from killing two men, sending one man, or more, forward, and the like on each side, at the distance of twenty yards from the main body, if the ground you march over will admit of it, to give the signal to the officer of the approach of an enemy, and of their number &c.

3. If you march over marshes or soft ground, change your position, and march abreast of each other to prevent the enemy from tracking you (as they would do if you marched in a single file) till you get over such ground, and then resume your former order and march till it is quite dark before you encamp, which do, if possible, on a piece of ground which that may afford your centries the advantage of seeing or hearing the enemy some considerable distance, keeping one half of your whole party awake alternately through the night.

4. Some time before you come to the place you would reconnoitre, make a stand, and send one or two men in whom you can confide, to look out the best ground for making your observations.

5. If you have the good fortune to take any prisoners, keep them separate, till they are examined, and in your return take a different route from that in which you went out, that you may the better discover any party in your rear, and have an opportunity, if their strength be superior to yours, to alter your course, or disperse, as circumstances may require.

6. If you march in a large body of three or four hundred, with a design to attack the enemy, divide your party into three columns, each headed by a proper officer, and let those columns march in single files, the columns to the right and left keeping at twenty yards distance or more from that of the center, if the ground will admit, and let proper guards be kept in the front and rear, and suitable flanking parties at a due distance as before directed, with orders to halt on all eminences, to take a view of the surrounding ground, to prevent your being ambuscaded, and to notify the approach or retreat of the enemy, that proper dispostions may be made for attacking, defending, &c. And if the enemy approach in your front on level ground, form a front of your three columns or main body with the advanced guard, keeping out your flanking parties, as if you were marching under the command of trusty officers, to prevent the enemy from pressing hard on either of your wings, or surrounding you, which is the usual method of the savages, if their number will admit of it, and be careful likewise to support and strengthen your rear-guard.

7. If you are obliged to receive the enemy's fire, fall, or squat down, till it is over; then rise and discharge at them. If their main body is equal to yours, extend yourselves occasionally; but if superior, be careful to support and strengthen your flanking parties, to make them equal to theirs, that if possible you may repulse them to their main body, in which case push upon them with the greatest resolution with equal force in each flank and in the center, observing to keep at a due distance from each other, and advance from tree to tree, with one half of the party before the other ten or twelve yards. If the enemy push upon you, let your front fire and fall down, and then let your rear advance thro' them and do the like, by which time those who before were in front will be ready to discharge again, and repeat the same alternatively, as occasion shall require; by this means you will keep up such a constant fire, that the enemy will not be able easily to break your order, or gain your ground.

8. If you oblige the enemy to retreat, be careful, in your pursuit of them to keep out your flanking parties, and prevent them from gaining eminences, or rising grounds, in which case they would perhaps be able to rally and repulse you in their turn.

9. If you are obliged to retreat, let the front of your whole party fire and fall back, till the rear hath done the same, making for the best ground you can; by this means you will oblige the enemy to pursue you, if they do it at all, in the face of a constant fire.

10. If the enemy is so superior that you are in danger of being surrounded by them, let the whole body disperse, and every one take a different road to the place of rendezvous appointed for that evening, which must every morning be altered and fixed for the evening ensuing, in order to bring the whole party, or as many of them as possible, together, after any separation that may happen in the day; but if you should happen to be actually surrounded, form yourselves into a square, or if in the woods, a circle is best, and, if possible, make a stand till the darkness of the night favours your escape.

11. If your rear is attacked, the main body and flankers must face about to the right or left, as occasion shall require, and form themselves to oppose the enemy, as before directed; and the same method must be observed, if attacked in either of your flanks, by which means you will always make a rear of one of your flank-guards.

12. If you determine to rally after a retreat, in order to make a fresh stand against the enemy, by all means endeavour to do it on the most rising ground you come at, which will give you greatly the advantage in point of situation, and enable you to repulse superior numbers.

13. In general, when pushed upon by the enemy, reserve your fire till they approach very near, which will then put them into the greatest surprize and consternation, and give you an opportunity of rushing upon them with your hatchets and cutlasses to the better advantage.

14. When you encamp at night, fix your centries in such a manner as not to be relieved from the main body till morning, profound secrecy and silence being often of the last importance in these cases. Each centry therefore should consist of six men, two of whom must be constantly alert, and when relieved by their fellows, it should be done without noise; and in case those on duty see or hear any thing, which alarms them, they are not to speak, but one of them is silently to retreat, that proper dispositions may be made; and all occasional centries should be fixed in like manner.

15. At the first dawn of day, awake your whole detachment; that being the time when the savages chuse to fall upon their enemies, you should by all means be in readiness to receive them.

16. If the enemy should be discovered by your detachments in the morning, and their numbers are superior to yours, and a victory doubtful, you should not attack them till the evening, as then they will not know your numbers, and if you are repulsed, your retreat will be favoured by the darkness of the night.

17. Before you leave your encampment, send out small parties to scout round it, to see if there be any appearance or track of an enemy that might have been near you during the night.

18. When you stop for refreshment, chuse some spring or rivulet if you can, and dispose your party so as not to be surprised, posting proper guards and centries at a due distance, and let a small party waylay the path came in, lest the enemy should be pursuing.

19. If, in your return, you have to cross rivers, avoid the usual fords as much as possible, lest the enemy should have discovered, and be there expecting you.

20. If you have to pass by lakes, keep at some distance from the edge of the water, lest, in case of an ambuscade or an attack from the enemy, when in that situation, your retreat should be cut off.

21. If the enemy pursue your rear, take a circle till you come to your own tracks, and there form an ambush to receive them, and give them the first fire.

22. When you return from a scout, and come near our forts, avoid the usual roads, and avenues thereto, lest the enemy should have headed you, and lay in ambush to receive you, when almost exhausted with fatigues.

23. When you pursue any party that has been near our forts or encampments, follow not directly in their tracks, lest they should be discovered by their rear-guards, who, at such a time, would be most alert; but endeavour, by a different route, to head and meet them in some narrow pass, or lay in ambush to receive them when and where they least expect it.

24. If you are to embark in canoes, battoes, or otherwise, by water, chuse the evening for the time of your embarkation, as you will then have the whole night before you, to pass undiscovered by any parties of the enemy, on hills, or other places, which command a prospect of the lake or river you are upon.

25. In padling or rowing, give orders that the boat or canoe next the sternmost, wait for her, and the third for the second, and the fourth for the third, and so on, to prevent separation, and that you may be ready to assist each other on any emergency.

26. Appoint one man in each boat to look out for fires, on the adjacent shores, from the number and size of which you may form some judgment of the number that kindled them, and whether you are able to attack them or not.

27. If you find the enemy encamped near the banks of a river or lake, which you imagine they will attempt to cross for their security upon being attacked, leave a detachment of your party on the opposite shore to receive them, while, with the remainder, you surprize them, having them between you and the lake or river.

28. If you cannot satisfy yourself as to the enemy's number and strength, from their fires, &c. conceal your boats at some distance, and ascertain their number by a reconnoitering party, when they embark, or march, in the morning, marking the course they steer, &c. when you may pursue, ambush, and attack them, or let them pass, as prudence shall direct you. In general, however, that you may not be discovered by the enemy upon the lakes and rivers at a great distance, it is safest to lay by, with your boats and party concealed all day, without noise or shew; and to pursue your intended route by night; and whether you go by land or water, give out parole and countersigns, in order to know one another in the dark, and likewise appoint a station for every man to repair to, in case of any accident that may separate you.

1. All Rangers are to be subject to the rules and articles of war; to appear at roll- call every evening, on their own parade, equipped, each with a firelock, sixty rounds of powder and ball, and a hatchet, at which time an officer from each company is to inspect the same, to see they are in order, so as to be ready on any emergency to march at a minute's warning; and before they are dismissed, the necessary guards are to be draughted and scouts for the next day appointed.

2. Whenever you are ordered out to the enemies forts or frontiers for discoveries, if your number be small, march in a single file, keeping at such distance from each other as to prevent one shot from killing two men, sending one man, or more, forward, and the like on each side, at the distance of twenty yards from the main body, if the ground you march over will admit of it, to give the signal to the officer of the approach of an enemy, and of their number &c.

3. If you march over marshes or soft ground, change your position, and march abreast of each other to prevent the enemy from tracking you (as they would do if you marched in a single file) till you get over such ground, and then resume your former order and march till it is quite dark before you encamp, which do, if possible, on a piece of ground which that may afford your centries the advantage of seeing or hearing the enemy some considerable distance, keeping one half of your whole party awake alternately through the night.

4. Some time before you come to the place you would reconnoitre, make a stand, and send one or two men in whom you can confide, to look out the best ground for making your observations.

5. If you have the good fortune to take any prisoners, keep them separate, till they are examined, and in your return take a different route from that in which you went out, that you may the better discover any party in your rear, and have an opportunity, if their strength be superior to yours, to alter your course, or disperse, as circumstances may require.

6. If you march in a large body of three or four hundred, with a design to attack the enemy, divide your party into three columns, each headed by a proper officer, and let those columns march in single files, the columns to the right and left keeping at twenty yards distance or more from that of the center, if the ground will admit, and let proper guards be kept in the front and rear, and suitable flanking parties at a due distance as before directed, with orders to halt on all eminences, to take a view of the surrounding ground, to prevent your being ambuscaded, and to notify the approach or retreat of the enemy, that proper dispostions may be made for attacking, defending, &c. And if the enemy approach in your front on level ground, form a front of your three columns or main body with the advanced guard, keeping out your flanking parties, as if you were marching under the command of trusty officers, to prevent the enemy from pressing hard on either of your wings, or surrounding you, which is the usual method of the savages, if their number will admit of it, and be careful likewise to support and strengthen your rear-guard.

7. If you are obliged to receive the enemy's fire, fall, or squat down, till it is over; then rise and discharge at them. If their main body is equal to yours, extend yourselves occasionally; but if superior, be careful to support and strengthen your flanking parties, to make them equal to theirs, that if possible you may repulse them to their main body, in which case push upon them with the greatest resolution with equal force in each flank and in the center, observing to keep at a due distance from each other, and advance from tree to tree, with one half of the party before the other ten or twelve yards. If the enemy push upon you, let your front fire and fall down, and then let your rear advance thro' them and do the like, by which time those who before were in front will be ready to discharge again, and repeat the same alternatively, as occasion shall require; by this means you will keep up such a constant fire, that the enemy will not be able easily to break your order, or gain your ground.

8. If you oblige the enemy to retreat, be careful, in your pursuit of them to keep out your flanking parties, and prevent them from gaining eminences, or rising grounds, in which case they would perhaps be able to rally and repulse you in their turn.

9. If you are obliged to retreat, let the front of your whole party fire and fall back, till the rear hath done the same, making for the best ground you can; by this means you will oblige the enemy to pursue you, if they do it at all, in the face of a constant fire.

10. If the enemy is so superior that you are in danger of being surrounded by them, let the whole body disperse, and every one take a different road to the place of rendezvous appointed for that evening, which must every morning be altered and fixed for the evening ensuing, in order to bring the whole party, or as many of them as possible, together, after any separation that may happen in the day; but if you should happen to be actually surrounded, form yourselves into a square, or if in the woods, a circle is best, and, if possible, make a stand till the darkness of the night favours your escape.

11. If your rear is attacked, the main body and flankers must face about to the right or left, as occasion shall require, and form themselves to oppose the enemy, as before directed; and the same method must be observed, if attacked in either of your flanks, by which means you will always make a rear of one of your flank-guards.

12. If you determine to rally after a retreat, in order to make a fresh stand against the enemy, by all means endeavour to do it on the most rising ground you come at, which will give you greatly the advantage in point of situation, and enable you to repulse superior numbers.

13. In general, when pushed upon by the enemy, reserve your fire till they approach very near, which will then put them into the greatest surprize and consternation, and give you an opportunity of rushing upon them with your hatchets and cutlasses to the better advantage.

14. When you encamp at night, fix your centries in such a manner as not to be relieved from the main body till morning, profound secrecy and silence being often of the last importance in these cases. Each centry therefore should consist of six men, two of whom must be constantly alert, and when relieved by their fellows, it should be done without noise; and in case those on duty see or hear any thing, which alarms them, they are not to speak, but one of them is silently to retreat, that proper dispositions may be made; and all occasional centries should be fixed in like manner.

15. At the first dawn of day, awake your whole detachment; that being the time when the savages chuse to fall upon their enemies, you should by all means be in readiness to receive them.

16. If the enemy should be discovered by your detachments in the morning, and their numbers are superior to yours, and a victory doubtful, you should not attack them till the evening, as then they will not know your numbers, and if you are repulsed, your retreat will be favoured by the darkness of the night.

17. Before you leave your encampment, send out small parties to scout round it, to see if there be any appearance or track of an enemy that might have been near you during the night.

18. When you stop for refreshment, chuse some spring or rivulet if you can, and dispose your party so as not to be surprised, posting proper guards and centries at a due distance, and let a small party waylay the path came in, lest the enemy should be pursuing.

19. If, in your return, you have to cross rivers, avoid the usual fords as much as possible, lest the enemy should have discovered, and be there expecting you.

20. If you have to pass by lakes, keep at some distance from the edge of the water, lest, in case of an ambuscade or an attack from the enemy, when in that situation, your retreat should be cut off.

21. If the enemy pursue your rear, take a circle till you come to your own tracks, and there form an ambush to receive them, and give them the first fire.

22. When you return from a scout, and come near our forts, avoid the usual roads, and avenues thereto, lest the enemy should have headed you, and lay in ambush to receive you, when almost exhausted with fatigues.

23. When you pursue any party that has been near our forts or encampments, follow not directly in their tracks, lest they should be discovered by their rear-guards, who, at such a time, would be most alert; but endeavour, by a different route, to head and meet them in some narrow pass, or lay in ambush to receive them when and where they least expect it.

24. If you are to embark in canoes, battoes, or otherwise, by water, chuse the evening for the time of your embarkation, as you will then have the whole night before you, to pass undiscovered by any parties of the enemy, on hills, or other places, which command a prospect of the lake or river you are upon.

25. In padling or rowing, give orders that the boat or canoe next the sternmost, wait for her, and the third for the second, and the fourth for the third, and so on, to prevent separation, and that you may be ready to assist each other on any emergency.

26. Appoint one man in each boat to look out for fires, on the adjacent shores, from the number and size of which you may form some judgment of the number that kindled them, and whether you are able to attack them or not.

27. If you find the enemy encamped near the banks of a river or lake, which you imagine they will attempt to cross for their security upon being attacked, leave a detachment of your party on the opposite shore to receive them, while, with the remainder, you surprize them, having them between you and the lake or river.

28. If you cannot satisfy yourself as to the enemy's number and strength, from their fires, &c. conceal your boats at some distance, and ascertain their number by a reconnoitering party, when they embark, or march, in the morning, marking the course they steer, &c. when you may pursue, ambush, and attack them, or let them pass, as prudence shall direct you. In general, however, that you may not be discovered by the enemy upon the lakes and rivers at a great distance, it is safest to lay by, with your boats and party concealed all day, without noise or shew; and to pursue your intended route by night; and whether you go by land or water, give out parole and countersigns, in order to know one another in the dark, and likewise appoint a station for every man to repair to, in case of any accident that may separate you.

 

JOSEPHLB

Banned
Jun 20, 2001
1,779
0
0
I was in the Army for 8 years.
The last base I was stationed at was Fort Meade, Maryland. This was a joint services base.. including Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corp..

Based on my experience of the past 8 years.. from the two choices you are about to pick from, you could go either way..
If quality of live, relaxed living conditions, and something that will be not much of a change from your present day lifestyle, then the Air Force is probably for you.. If you lack discipline, and have no desire to be disciplined.. then neither military service is right for you.. The Army will ENSURE you are disciplined.. especially for Ranger School.. being in the Army.. you are relied upon to accept and follow all orders from anyone appointed over you.. no questions asked.. no "if's, ands or but's" about it.. It could be your battle buddy's life, that depends on those orders... so basically.. when they ask you "to jump".. you dont ask how high.. you just fu<king jump...

here is a little something from the Ranger home page..


RANGER TRAINING PROGRAM

The Ranger training program is open to any male interested in going to Ranger School. It demands more time and commitment than average and therefore is not for the lighthearted. There is additional training during the week in the evenings, such as classes on patrolling and knot tying, as well as training on weekends like road marches, day and night land navigation, and patrolling. The standards here are stricter than for Ranger school to ensure that those who are sent have a better chance of successfully completing the course. Some qualifications for the program here require everyone in the program to pass the Combat Water Survival Test. You must be able to swim in BDU's. Candidates for the slot must also run five miles in 35 minutes or less. The standard at Ranger school is 40 minutes. Other tests, such as successfully completing a day and night land nav course and finishing a twelve mile road march in less than three hours must also be passed before a slot is awarded. Because Rangers lead the way, they are expected to set the standard for their classmates. They are held to academic and professional standards that, if they fail to meet, will disquailify them for a slot. Ranger school is not for everyone and there are some very qualified people who do not compete for the slots. However, for those intrested, it involves intense training, physical and mental toughness and a never quit attitude. You will make close friends, get in the best shape you've ever been in and have fun while doing it, though. When all is said and done and graduation time has come, the Ranger candidates will go prepared to face the challenges of one of the Army's toughest schools.



 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
5
0
Originally posted by: Ylen13
none.I do not recommend anyone to join the arm forces. Once u are in , they pretty much can call u back anytime and it don't matter if u left after serviing their for 2 or 4 years.

Misleading.

If you join the reserves, they can recall you while you have a commitment left.

Once you get out as an enlisted, you have no obligation.

As an officer, you can be recalled any time. I was re-activated for the Gulf War after 12 years out of uniform and also 6 months after I left active duty (at 4 AM).

 

Pastfinder

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2000
2,352
0
0
In a Junior at UNC in Air Force ROTC. I find the Air Force to have better living conditions and facilities for their people than the army, that's just what I have noticed so far. I'm applying for a pilot position and will know in April if I am going to Pilot Training or not. If not, I'll look in Intelligence or Space and Missile. Figure out what you like doing: if you are more for being right in the thick of things combat-wise, go US Army; if you like the aspects of business, logistics and support, with less immediate contact with the front lines, go Air Force. I've met people who left the Army for the Air Force and vice versa, you really can't tell which you'll like till you go in and are able to compare first hand.
 

Andrew111

Senior member
Aug 6, 2001
792
0
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Where did you get the silly notion that the Army doesn't offer computer related jobs? The Army has quite a few computer related jobs that are very desirable. I'll be going into the Army as an Information Systems Operator, which will help me tremendously if I ever go back to civilian life:D

To sum up the Air Force compared to the Army: The Air Force treats its members better but you advance in rank faster in the Army, therefore you will get paid more in the Army.
 

NinjaGnome

Platinum Member
Jul 21, 2001
2,002
0
76
I have my future pretty much all planned out and well after being in school for so long I dont wish to get back into it right away. Now I have to decide which I want more
A. To get paid more by getting higher through the ranks quicker in the army
B. To get a more comfortable lifestyle in the AirForce

Im not really interested in the computer jobs in the army.
 

JupiterJones

Senior member
Jun 14, 2001
642
0
0
If you are thinking Army Ranger, why not Air Force Pararescue.

Pararescue Pool - 100 pushups for every missed shot.
 

Dracos

Senior member
Jun 10, 2001
637
0
0
Well I came right out of HS and went into the Air Force...I enjoyed my time there and wouldn't have went to any other branch since it was always my dream to be in the Air Force. Of course that was 12 years ago that I went in right before the start of Desert Storm.....
 

sniperbob

Member
Oct 22, 2002
155
0
0
Originally posted by: NinjaGnome
I have my future pretty much all planned out and well after being in school for so long I dont wish to get back into it right away. Now I have to decide which I want more
A. To get paid more by getting higher through the ranks quicker in the army
B. To get a more comfortable lifestyle in the AirForce

Im not really interested in the computer jobs in the army.

In a light infantry unit like the rangers, you most likly move from PVT to SPC very quickly, however, unless you plan to attend OCS, you're going to be stuck at E5 for a long time. The few E5s that would get their platoon would most likly be with the 82nd or 101st, rangers tends to keep their staff/master sergants for a long time. But if you go to officer school, there's a good chance they'll reassign you to regular infantry and give you a command. Now if you want to remain with the rangers, not going to OCS would be the best bet (don't expect good pay, hell, 20 years as a sergant, the day a ROTC cadet makes captain, they'll earn more than you'll ever get), if you want to advance in ranks though, military intelligence would be what you're looking for.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
sorry to bring it up from the dead, but do you have any say in where you're deployed? (af)