Any airforce guys in here?

[baby02]

Retired, 24 years. Don't think you would go wrong by enlisting in the AF. there are many opportunities available to you there. Go for it, Man.

[derklug]

5 years Air Force as a crew chief, KC-135's and AWACS. Good choice for some, not so good for others. Good place to start if you can accept the routine. If you chafe against authority, it will be a bad move. I enjoyed my time, just wish I had taken more advantage of the places I went(bars pretty much look the same everywhere). Overall not an experience that I would ever forget or regret.

[real pilot]

Originally Posted by mike25

Here lately ive been considering the military soon after i get out of college(20 right now with 2 years left, so 22 when i enlist)..

Visit this site daily but first post. I have been an AF Pilot for 18 years and it has been great. Tons of opportunities, options and challenges. The current Middle East mess is somewhat of a drag but you have to pay your dues one way or another.

Carpe Diem

[jrc1122]

I served 10.5 years in the USAF-- It was a great ride. I loved it! I was going to retire, but it opened the door to the great job I have now, I felt I couldn't turn down (combined with some health issues).


I was a 1C671 (Space Systems Operator)
and my last three years I did special duty (8R000)- Active Duty Recruiter.

[Landshark]

23 years wearing the Blue suit for me..............what a ride. Crew Chief on F-4's, F-15's, SR-71's and U-2's at Beale. Would not trade any of that time back.

[camaro_eddie]

6 years as a 2T2 (Air Transportation) in the oklahoma air national guard C-130... loved it. did a lot of traveling and had a great time. got some good friends out of it.

[mlee]

21 years Avionics Maint on B-2, B-1 & B-52s.

Finish your college and go in as a 2LT just like your car. When you hit Captain there will be so many career choices for you it will make your head spin.

Bottom line is don't waste your early years with ho hum jobs... go for it

[BlownSS]

Just hit 21 years in the Nebraska Air National Guard. Im a SMSgt 2T171 (vehicle operations supervisor) although we are now called the distribution flight.....It has been a great experience. If you arent sure of what the benefits of retiring would be, take a look at the cost of private health insurance after you leave the civilian world! Its a great place to grow personally and professionally.

[ObseSSed]

21.5 years. Started as a crew chief on C130s. Became an officer after I got my degree. You should consider a commission over enlistment. If you are not interested in being a pilot, consider being a navigator. Life in the AF will be much more interesting if you're flying.

[blazzin1]

I just retired last year from 20 years in the Air Force. I was not an officer, but knew plenty of them throughout my career. If you're going to be a young Officer, the best advice anyone can give you is to listen and learn from the Senior NCO's around you. Just so you are talking the correct "lingo", enlisted folks "enlist", and officers are commissioned (sorry, just wanted to clear that up). Anyway, the Air Force was great to me, and I don't regret it one little bit. But with that being said, it's a lot different now than it was when I first enlisted. Definitely, not quite as much fun as it used to be. But don't let that stop you, if you can stick it out for 20 years, you'll have a terrific retirement plan for the rest of your life. I'm about to turn 40 this year, and I now have a retirement check coming in every month for the rest of my life. You can't beat that!!!!! It won't be easy.....but then again, nothing in life worth having ever is!!! GO FOR IT!!!

[mike25]

Can anyone comment on how hard it is to be accepted as an officer? I talked to an online advisor And they said it was highly selective...is it a snowball shot in hell or....?

[jrc1122]

Originally Posted by mike25

Can anyone comment on how hard it is to be accepted as an officer? I talked to an online advisor And they said it was highly selective...is it a snowball shot in hell or....?

It is highly competitive.

3.5 or better GPA is all but a must.

If you go into Pilot or Nav programs I believe it can be 3.0..

I have been out of the recruiting realm for quite awhile.

Your best shot (honestly) is to do a dual application. And do it around the time of the next board selection.

That way- if you get picked up for Officer while still in the Delayed Enlistment program-- they will simply switch you over. If you don't get accepted go enlisted as an E3-- and after 1 year of service you can apply to be an officer--

It is MUCH easier to be selected to be an officer from the enlisted pool, compared to the civilian pool.

Good luck!

(Former USAF recruiter 2005-2008)

[mike25]

Hhmm I was told last night I would need a 3.0

[Dakota Kid]

I did my 20 in the AF and retired in 2004, I would do it all over again. Getting in right now is tricky, especially for officers, they are booked almost solid.

Good luck!