What do you think about enlisting in the USAF?

docetboy · #1 06-10-2003, 07:35 PM

Because of a unsatisfactory grade report (on one semester) my parents are cutting access to their checkbook for school, which means I am on my own. Instead of heading back to school I would either have a choice of making a living on $9 an hour and paying my own apartment/insurance/food/etc. (which I don't want to do) or the better option at the moment is to enlist - since I had four years of AFJROTC I would earn the rank of E-3 directly out of basic which is a couple hundred bucks more a month then as an E-1, and still a couple hundred more bucks a month then I make now...as well, I could get the G.I. bill, as well as housing and insurance paid for...

I won't be enlisting any time soon but am seriously considering it right now...if I do, I will definitely be smart enough to head to Texas (where basic is) in the fall or winter when it isn't 120 degrees out

Any advice from anyone on what to do? I know there are some ROTC people in here, as well as previous-military people...I come from a military town and my father is a Ret. LtCol so I know what to ask look out for, access to people currently in, etc.

(and the choice for air force is made up - army and marines will not be considered, and don't try to change me to navy without a damn good argument)

Kristin AGD · #2 06-10-2003, 08:44 PM

I think enlisting in the USAF would be great.

I was at the USMA graduation at West Point last weekend. My cousin was graduating (the only Army guy in the family). I kinda felt left out of the lifestyle. My grandfather & uncle are retired USAF. My aunt met her husband while she was enlisted. One cousin is currently enlisted USAF. And another cousin is AFROTC at OU. My mother grew up an Air Force brat meeting my father while he was stationed in Guam. etc. etc.

There was so much pride, honor & tradition that I really wished it was something I could be a closer part of. Not just the West Point grads, but all the military personnel that was there for the festivities. I saw Marines, Navy & Air Force (of course) decked out in their best. It was really a celebration of the great men and women who serve our country. Something to be really proud of.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Peaches-n-Cream · #3 06-10-2003, 09:51 PM

If the Air Force is what your heart desires, I wish you the best!

If not, I suggest you go to the financial aid office to see about becoming independent. You might have to go to school part time or get a job, but I am sure that they can help you. I worked in the financial aid office when I was in college. Every school, situation, and applicant is different. They take that into account when distributing aid.

AlphaSigOU · #4 06-10-2003, 10:14 PM

I'm former enlisted USAF, though I enlisted nearly 20 years ago. Things have definitely changed since I was in (the Cold War was raging and Ronald Reagan was in the White House). And in my day airmen's stripes had blue (read: no) star in the middle (you earned your star after one year as a Senior Airman before being appointed as Sergeant) and only senior and chief master sergeants wore upward stripes.

Should you decide on enlisting, BE SURE and guarantee for a specific career field -- DO NOT make the mistake I did and enlist in an 'open' catergory; this means you let the Air Force do your job picking for you, and it usually is one of the critically undermanned specialties or other jobs nobody wants. As an example:

Open General -- Security Police or Services

Open Mechanical -- Crew Chief

Open Administrative -- Supply

I was assigned to be a Food Service Apprentice Specialist (AFSC 62230, now 3M031) -- a cook by any other name. Luckily, I was sent to the Air Force's cook's school where I got a decent education on how to make sh*t-on-a-shingle (creamed beef on toast) for over 100. I later got my 5 level (specialist); you gotta be a career airman to qualify for the 7 (supervisor) level.

If you should wash out of technical training, the Air Force will pick the job for you. You can't crosstrain out for at least three years.

How many credit hours do you have right now? If you're short of the minimum 60 hours for an associate degree, take advantage of Community College of the Air Force. Your college coursework transfers over with no problem, and you get equivalent college credit for your CDC (Career Development Courses -- the '5' level in your AFSC(Air Force Specialty Code)) and PME (Professional Military Education - you get PE credit for doing basic training). Other courses needed for your degree requirements can be done on base or through distance learning.

You may be offered PA (Proficiency Advancement) after your 7th day of training at Lackland. It's basically the six weeks of BMT (Basic Military Training) in Lackland crammed into about half the time. It's only offered to basic airmen who have had prior military experience, including time in CAP (Civil Air Patrol) or AFJROTC. Be aware it isn't an easy program to complete successfully: out of eight who were screened in my BMT flight, four turned it down and stuck it for the six weeks, three got sent back to the flight because of excessive demerits and I was the only one that made it through (even with an injured hand from the confidence course).

You'll learn to hate the number 341. (Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Form 341 - Report of Discrepancy (the demerit form)). And avoid the 'snakepit' at all costs! (The snakepit is where the TI's (training instructors) eat at the dining hall. They are ever observant of basic airmen making the slightest little mistake, making your meal a very unpleasant experience.

Later on, if your grades and performance reviews are good, you may be able to apply for AECP (Airman Education and Commissioning Program); if you are selected, you get to finish college and when you graduate, go to Officer Training School.

And another thing: watch your weight. The Air Force has a very strict weight/height/body fat percentage standard; exceed it, and you will be put on the weight management program. I was near the top of my max weight for my height, and being a cook didn't help matters much. Bust a few weigh-ins and you will be administratively discharged as I was. Looking back at things years later, I realized I listened to bad advice and let things go until it was too late. By that time, the discharge process is swift and merciless; within three weeks I was back to being a civilian again.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions, feel free to post 'em here or PM me.

KillarneyRose · #5 06-10-2003, 10:26 PM

I think that it's great that you want to enlist in the Air Force! I say good for you for taking the initiative regarding the next step in your life

Tom Earp · #6 06-10-2003, 10:41 PM

Yo docetboy,

the Freshman year is always the tuffest, especially when you Associate with a Greek Org.

Your time is torn is so many ways that it is tuff to get aal of the Crap in the alloted 24 hrs.! It is sad that your folks give up on you so soon!

Hope you can get back in school for Soph Yr. Maybe a Jr. College for a year?

I would use the Militarty as a last resort.

I say this as my best friend who is like a Brother Son who is like a Nephew to me flew So. To San Antonio for basic!

He had Brains, went to Magnante School, got him started into golf and was very good! Screwed his Grades up, off golf, football and wrestleing teams.

Well, off and running!!

SigkapAlumWSU · #7 06-10-2003, 11:56 PM

I have a friend who went Army national guard. He still gets proper training, had to go through basic, but is eligible to recieve help for school through the GI Bill. Granted, he will be doing ROTC and Reserve as well to help pay, but it works for him. Maybe that's something to look into rather than going for a 4 year contract with the USAF.

IowaHawkeye · #8 06-11-2003, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KillarneyRose
I think that it's great that you want to enlist in the Air Force! I say good for you for taking the initiative regarding the next step in your life

I expected a good Navy argument out of you Tracy

AlphaGamDiva · #9 06-11-2003, 02:18 AM

s'all about some ARMY NAT'L GUARD action, docet....pay for school, all that G.I. bill business.....one wknd a month, 2 wks in the summer, so yeah....that's my plan.

you should look into it....you can do it and school at the same time...providing they don't ship you anywhere.

there's AF guard, too, if you're so hooked on the AF.....i'm not a fan b/c of ex b/f experience, but work it if ya want it.

just don't turn out like him with gettin a divorce after a year and a half plus havin a baby....

good luck to you, though, and keep us posted!

docetboy · #10 07-14-2003, 07:08 PM

Update: The paperworks turned in, and I take the ASVAB next Wednesday. Then the good ol' government will waste some taxpayers money putting me up in a hotel (though I live in the same town!) and head to the Processing station by 5:30 a.m. the next morning, where I will get a physical, drug test, etc., find out what jobs are available, and sign my life away on the dotted line.

cougar15 · #11 07-15-2003, 09:57 PM

AF is an excellent choice! It will help you get your priorities straight before heading back to school, in addition to letting them pay for it.

Good Luck!!

Tom Earp · #12 07-15-2003, 10:25 PM

docetboy, this may be the best thing for you as in the post above like Nephew!!

It seems the end of the 6 week basic and already he seems to be getting his head together and maturing.

His is have his Tiger or what ever they call it, war game type stuff this week end!!!

Yep, what is said, dont just sign up blind, look at what type of situations you could get listed in for training with an eye toeard the future!!

You wont have time to do shit so keep thinking about us!!!

Trust Me Bro. We are all pulling for You!!!

Just go in with eyes open and mouth shut!!

DeltAlum · #13 07-16-2003, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kristin AGD
I think enlisting in the USAF would be great.

And it's especially good that you chose ours!!

Seriously, good luck to you. Let us know how things are going when you can.

The_Nash · #14 07-16-2003, 01:40 AM

Docetboy, I am pretty much in the same situation as you are. I messed up freshman year, lost scholarships and now have to pay for my education through loans and the such. i was looking into the Air Force too. What exactely did they give you and what are the terms to your agreement?

Munchkin03 · #15 07-16-2003, 02:32 AM

Best of luck! I live between two HUGE Air Force bases, so I'm familiar with the service. It is a huge decision, with excellent benefits but very serious risks.