Air Force Questions..Thinking about joining.

[TOEHEAD]

For the past 4 months I have been working on enlisting in the U.S.A.F, working with a recruiter a few times a week with paper work, medical records, etc....I am still waiting on an appointment time with the CMO @ MEPS.

Reasoning behind joining, I was in college for 3.5 years and had a year left before I was eligible for graduation. (Another question that comes up regarding OTS). I dropped out of college due to financial problems, work was taking over my life and school was demanding more money. I have a very small amount of debt in which I pay a portion down each month, but nothing harmful and NO student loans. College was fine, except the financial part, it ain't cheap. So, I left after the summer semester, went to work full time, and starting working with my local recruiter on joining the Air Force.

I have good background (school and work) in engineering and scored well on the ASVAB in every section. My score was between a 85 and 99 on all sections. Regardless, this is something I WANT to do.
My physical condition is also excellent (I think). I mountain bike 3-4 times per week, ride the CX (cyclocross bike) at least every day and run 4 miles, except Sunday mornings, I easily complete 100-150 push ups each day, and other upper/core strength building exercises. Also eat well, no soda's or fast food. Limited to no red meat intake, and take care of myself well.
I am single, never married, no kids, and nothing holding me back from leaving tomorrow. Financially, Im independent expect for my health insurance which is covered by my employer.

My questions for readers that have experience in the U.S.A.F or other service---what are your opinions? Anything to look out for, be prepared for, etc.
A few areas of interest:
Civil Engineering w/ an emphasis on emergency preparation.
SERE

Also, Im very interested in OTS (Officer Training School) except I can not get a direct answer from my recruiter regarding OTS. Since I have a 2 year degree and the majority of a 4 year degree, would it be possible to go to OTS and finish school while in the AF?

Im looking to sign for 6 years. (Will be 30 when it would be time to re-enlist, you can do the math on my age.) Reason I state this, dependent upon my job in the AF, I would like to carry this over to a civilian job @ some point. Although, if I do enjoy my job in the AF and things work out, I see no reason not to complete my 20 years.

I do feel it is an obligation of mine to serve my country for what it has given me. Yes, I do not see eye-to-eye with our government or political authority, but I do love our country and want the best for it. If I can help, sign me up.

Thanks, do look forward to your responses.

[Mstrkage]

There are three or four different programs you can join to become an officer. But the truth is there is never a promise of actually becoming an officer and it is always easier to enter as an officer than try to go from prior enlisted. With that said,
If you're that fit and you are already interested in SERE you may wanna look at becoming a PJ or TACP, basically air force bad asses, you know in black hawk down when two guys get off a chopper and save the downed pilot, yeah they were air force. You'll have a chance in basic to enter those careers.
As far as civil engineering goes, it's almost entirely going to civilians and contracts. If you deploy you will probably be watching contractors work instead of working yourself, at home station there will be a large chance that you will have a civilian boss.
I don't have all the answers, i'm just an ammo troop so someone may correct me!

[SBrad001]

If you want to be an officer, DO NOT enlist. Go back to college sign up with the nearest Officer recruiter and ROTC and get your commission that way.

[redneckboarder]

yes ive been in for 4.5 yrs and i like it. i agree if you are thinking about getting a commission do it right off the bat. its a PITA to do once your in. im in civil engineering now in the power production (generators) field. its a good bunch of people, very tight knit group since everybody has to rely on everybody else to get the mission accomplished. if you have any CE specific questions pm me and ill do what i can to get you info or answer them for ya.
good luck with the decision

[Freaky McPants]

If you want to be an officer, DO NOT enlist. Go back to college sign up with the nearest Officer recruiter and ROTC and get your commission that way.

X2

[JNickel101]

I'll disagree....our best officers are those who were prior-enlisted.

AF has TONS of programs for going enlisted to officer...I know probably 20-30 guys personally who have done it.

TACP - works with Army, call in airstrikes from the front line
PJ - go save people. Fully trained as an EMT
Combat Control - set up air strips in hostile areas. Fully trained as an Air Traffic Controller
Combat Weather - sounds funny, but those guys are bad ass....

What is your schooling/almost degree in? That will also determine what you are eligible for....

[wolfpackjeeper]

If you want to be an officer, DO NOT enlist. Go back to college sign up with the nearest Officer recruiter and ROTC and get your commission that way.

ROTC requires you to commit to at least 2.5(I think, it IS at least 2) years of school. You cannot just do your last .5-1 year and get a commission. You would do a year of underclassman stuff, go to Field Training, then do a year of Upperclassman stuff. You could also go finish your semester or so and get a degree, then go to the recruiter and tell him you are only interested in enlisting to go to OTS, then make sure that your contract says that. I came in through ROTC, and comissioned in May. You could also try for an appointment to the Academy, but I would not, that place is not my cup of tea, and I have been underimpressed with the quality of officers that come from there.

If you are interested in Civil Eng, that is the way to go. There are a lot of slots for it in officer AFSC's, and if you wanted to combine it with a combat unit, just be the best and go Red Horse. If you have what is considered a technical major, it is very easy to get engineering. You will be deploying a lot to places with nothing on the ground, and all you will have is a checkbook.

If you chose to enlist, READ YOUR CONTRACT, it will tell you exactly what you can do and not do. Case: friend went in for TACP, broke his leg got removed from that program(you cannot fly or perform a lot of intensive jobs with a plate or screw) they were forced to medically release him because that is the only job he agreed to, providing that he did not Fail the school.

You can also enlist, do a few years, then get out and take the GI bill, then go through ROTC. IF your credits transferred, you could finish one degree, then pick up a second. And the new GI bill is amazing. A friend of mine just did this. Or, while enlisted, pick up the credit you need to get your degree, then apply for OTS.

There are many different ways to do it. But a few final things to remember:
-Officers get paid more, but have a lot of responsibility to balance that out, you not only have to worry about yourself, you have to worry about the mission, the unit, make sure that your troops are taken care of, make sure that they are making rank and getting promoted when they should be, and pretty much doing whatever you can to make sure that they can do their job, and put bombs on target on time.
-A new second lieutenant gets paid more than an older Tech Sergent
-Enlisted people have a more fulfilling job- they get a lot done, officers tend to be in the longer planning stage, so it seems like you do less - unless you are a rated guy like me.
-There are a million jobs for enlisted guys, and except for flying, they get almost all of the fun jobs. Officer AFSC's are a lot fewer.

whatever you do, do your best, and we will be glad to have you.

[JNickel101]

FYI....Air Force will pay 100% tuition while you are active duty - up to $9000 a year. After you are in for 1 year, you can start dipping into your GI Bill (also called "Top Up") if you need extra $ for school.

[Overdriven]

I feel I have the best job in the AF. It's something up the way of Civil Engineering, it crosses over to the civilian world very well, and it leads to the officer world fairly easily.

Biomedical Equipment Engineering (BMET). It's CE inside of a hospital that takes care of all the equipment inside a hospital. For this job you work on everything from a simple blood pressure cuff to MRI Imaging systems.

You will develop skills in mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, X-Ray Imaging, computer networking, micro electronics, lasers.

The transfers to many applications in the civilian world and those with the ambition have persued MSC officer duty.

Good luck.

[law.74]

Another option is finish the degree, get accepted to professional school (Med, Nursing, Vet, Dental, Opto, Law) and get a scholarship and commission at the same time.

I'd always wanted to join the Air Force, but wasn't willing to accept a career not entirely of my choosing. I got into grad school and only then accepted a commission. I know some that went through ROTC and didn't get into grad/prof school immediately out of undergrad and had to go into active duty before they would be allowed to reapply.

A little educational debt should not keep you from getting the degree and then job that could easily repay said debt. The clock will continue to tick regardless if you are making forward progression with your career. Just be careful with your debt to potential earning ratio.

I'm still in an inactive obligated officer status while continuing civilian training so my active duty experience is limited...

[wolfpackjeeper]

you make captain pretty damn quickly that way too.

[law.74]

you make captain pretty damn quickly that way too.
Get accepted to both prof. school and scholarship program= automatic O-1
Graduate from said prof. school= automatic O-3

They have to move you through the ranks in order to retain... Nothing like making half to one-third the going civilian wage... But we don't join the military for the money do we...?

[wolfpackjeeper]

that program and the AFIT(SP) program are great. School paid for, books paid for, tutors paid for, and you still pull down a full paycheck. Wear uniform into the office what, once a month?

[TOEHEAD]

Thanks for all the responses, excellent and well absorbed information.

I'm @ the point now where it will be very difficult for me to go back to college. Few reasons---
I'm financially drained. I can not afford to continue to pay for tuition with out some assistance. The Air Force offers this.
I'm highly considering enlisting, going through basic, tech school, then my job. Working and then enroll in a local college where ever I am to finish. Regardless, I don't mind a few years of "E" status. I would eventually like to jump up to an officer position for pay and because it is available.

Few questions---is it possible to go through any programs/jobs that will lead you into an officer position with out a 4 year degree OR with the understanding that you ARE either working on your degree or will be receiving your degree in the near future?

Job interest varies: I'm a huge outdoor nut. I will not work in a cubical all day. I don't mind office work, but it needs to be in an outdoor seating/position. Even if this results in a cut of pay. Also very mechanical. Fabrication, construction, turning wrenches is my forte'. Challenges, problems, and difficult situations in remote areas is a dream job. Hence my interest in emergency management preparation. Any other jobs/position strike ideas?

Thanks again, very excited about the lifestyle change!

[wolfpackjeeper]

nothing will really lead to an officer status. You must have a 4yr degree for a commission. There is not an option on this that I know of. This functions a a sort of filter. You must prove that you are adult enough, and professional enough to see through something for several years, doing all the work required to obtain your goal.

That said, bear in mind, Officers work in offices. If you go officer you will be a supervisor, unless you are an operator(read pilot,WSO, or ABM), in 95% of the ASFC's out there this is the case. Will you get your hands dirty? Yes, but that is not the main job as an officer. Thats why I shot for a WSO slot, I knew I wanted to fly, and F15E backseaters get more air time than most other aviators. Outdoors jobs? Maybe security forces, but I understand that one kinda sucks at home garrison, OSI sounds interesting as well. Maintenance maybe, or Combat Weather/Spec Ops, but the career fields on the last two are limited, and your degree would need to be in weather. I am speaking from the officer side here, I don't have an experience in the other side.

I met this SMSgt(Senior Master Sergent) the other day during combined ops here at training. He is SMSgt George Gulya, and he is down here at the SNCOs school. More imporantly he is a recruiter for the NJ Air National Guard. I think he will graduate this friday and he would then be available to talk to you from the options on the guard side of things.

(609)645-6216
george.gulya@njatla.ang.af.mil

he was telling us about some of the extra bonuses he was able to get new recruits, and he also mentioned some special programs that are guard specific. He can also put you in touch with a recruiter near you. Like I said give him a week or so to get home. And if you do call him, tell him 2Lt Brandon from ASBC and Combined Flight 2 says hi and take it easy old guy.

[XJ Eric]

Thanks for all the responses, excellent and well absorbed information.

Job interest varies: I'm a huge outdoor nut. I will not work in a cubical all day. I don't mind office work, but it needs to be in an outdoor seating/position. Even if this results in a cut of pay. Also very mechanical. Fabrication, construction, turning wrenches is my forte'. Challenges, problems, and difficult situations in remote areas is a dream job. Hence my interest in emergency management preparation. Any other jobs/position strike ideas?

Thanks again, very excited about the lifestyle change!


Former TACP here.
TACP career field (AFSC 1C4X1) is pretty hard core. You'll have to be very good with fixing things and mechanical so you can keep your radios up and running. Can't control Air Strikes without talking to planes. I enjoyed my time as a TACP. They have to really be jacks of all trades. From maintaining Radios to running around with the army kicking in doors and calling in A-10s to wipe some scum off the map.
The list of info you have to keep in your head from Radio frequencies to assault tactics, weapons/aircraft capabilities, to just remembering to keep your head down, will keep you busy and never bored with the oportunities to learn. Things have gotten much better for the TACPs since my day with huge boosts in thier budgets. You probly won't have to run around with radios that saw action in Vietnam. I'm only thirty and been in the Air Force for 12 years. I've been both active duty AND Air National Guard. Loved every day of it.

[wolfpackjeeper]

one of the SNCOs at the combined ops exercises was a TACP. Dude was a freak of nature. I am not sure many of us LT's could have kept up with him. Saw him go to work in the Project X course and during a game called Ichryus. bout 5'6" and built.