Re: What do you think about enlisting in the USAF?
 

Hmm - flashback ( :eek: gasp! Has it been THAT long ago?) to 1986 - after a stellar 1.62 GPA my sophomore year - same thing happened to me.

My choices were either the Air Force or Navy. I chose the Navy because of a special program called Sea College, where they doubled your G.I. Bill amounts in exchange for "open" status. AlphaSigOU is dead on - don't do this. I ended up working initially in the boiler room - but eventually worked my way out to another job (called "striking" in the Navy). My niece went in "open" to the Air Force five years ago (ironically her first day as a "civilian" is TODAY) - and while she wanted a medical career, she also became a cook in the Air Force. To add insult to injury, she wanted to be stationed in the US or Europe, to which the Air Force said - "great - welcome to scenic GUAM". So be careful.

But the choice was easy - my father is a retired USAF officer, and even he saw the logic - half the time on active duty for twice the educational benefits.

I did my active duty, returned to school, and graduated with a BA and an MA (cumulative GPA's of 2.9 and 4.0) - so it can be done.

Last bit of advice - don't believe ANYTHING a recruiter tells you unless you get it in WRITING. If it wasn't documented, it didn't happen.

Updated news, good and bad.

The good news: I got the job I wanted, Airborne Communications 1A331 :) - I get to be aircrew hellya!

The bad news: I don't ship out till 20 April :(

Congratulations on the good news, and the "bad" news timeline will fly by! :)

Congratulations! Heh heh heh... Salmi's going to learn what a 'Lackland Light Saber' is! ;) (No big secret... it's those ugly-ass flashlights with a cone filter you hafta carry around all over the place at night.)

Keep your nose clean and stay outta trouble during your DEP (delayed enlistment period). You will probably be required to report monthly to your recruiter for a p*ss test and if any adverse actions such as moving violations or worse occurred during that period.

Keep up with your studies in tech school - wash out and you will be sent to Services or some other sh*t job you hate for the next three years before you can crosstrain out of that specialty.

Depending on the career field you will at the very least hafta go through a background investigation for a SECRET clearance, and once you go to specific training in whatever system you're assigned, you will probably screen for at least a TOP SECRET or maybe a TOP SECRET/SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) clearance. The latter two clearances are long and drawn out, and interim clearances are not usually given at that clearance level. So don't be surprised if they make you do 'make work' jobs until the clearance comes through.

You don't earn the right to wear the green bag (flight suit) and the leather jacket until you complete tech school. Good thing, though... being on aircrew means you get seen by the flight surgeon and not the medical hobby shop. The lines are shorter, too. :) However, if you should even get a cold or suffer any illness that might keep you from flying, you will be put on the DNIF (Duty Not Involving Flying, pronounced 'dee-niff') list and do 'make work' jobs until you're cleared again to fly by the flight surgeon.

docetboy,

Congratulations on your job and good luck to you! Keep us posted on your progress! AIM HIGH!!!

From one fellow airman to another,

txdiva
U.S. Air Force
"Cross Into the Blue"

Chuck - one note - 'make work' is now called 'doing details.'

I know all about the flight clinic...used to volunteer at it and the main hospital :)

According to the job page, I have to be eligible for Top Secret. Hope they don't talk to the guys at the house ;) :)

I'm looking forward to being able to wear some wings though...lot better then the other badges the ground people gotta wear....

http://www.af.mil/news/airman/0199/badge39.jpg

congrats...you've got a huge carrot in front of you. go for it.
april will be here before you know it.

Here's the skinny on how a background investigation is conducted: http://www.dss.mil/psi/index.htm .

Just a note, starting on 1 October, the DSS will be handing responsibility for conducting clearances to the OPM (office of personnel management)
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Feb2...200302075.html

Good Luck Airman Docetboy!

There is one thing I have not seen mentioned yet is that
you can pursue a degree vis the base education office which will let you know which universities offer degree programs -- bachelors and masters at a particular base.
I earned my Master of Science Degree in International Relations from Troy State University while I was stationed at Hurlburt Field FL -- it took me almost four years (I was in Special Ops Intelligence and things were 'busy';) to say the least!)

Here is something else to ponder -- some enlisted men and women who found they really enjoyed military (AF) service also choose to apply for Officer Training once they have their Bachelor's degree and several years of enlisted service under their belts.

Obviously I endorse a career as an AF officer -- if I was not now 'serving' as a full-time mom and domestic goddess ;) I could have my choice of many good jobs around the country, thanks to the leadership, management, decision-making and many other skills I honed during a 22 year long career...HR folks generally recognize the benefits of hiring retired or even former military officers...