Anybody ever been in the Air Force?

[CBrown]

My point was you'll never get wealthy - or even close for that matter. As you mention, there are several other areas that increase your income, but not enough to offset the difference in pay in the private sector. Also, the military limits what you can make based upon a pay scale. No one tells me how much money I can make now. It's all about performance. My earning potential is all dependent upon how well I do my job - not how many years I've been employed.

Good points and I agree 100% with you in that regards.

[JDgator]

You'd better hurry because they are drawing down troop levels and enlistment slots in the Air Force and Navy and getting pretty hard to come by. And definitely get a commitment for a tech school before you sign up.

On a side note, I was in Air Force ROTC for a year until I found out I couldn't pass a flight physical (high/normal bp). The physical standards they set for entry are not the same as those required to become a pilot, flight officer, or aircrewmen. But these days, cyberwarfare command has all the sexy job titles.

[Drakeshead]

3. If you just want to see the world, not really into that ground pounding stuff and dig the ocean, but don't mind working you butt off, then go into the U.S. Navy.

+1

I spent six years active duty Navy and wish I had never gotten out of the Navy. I did not get out because I disliked the Navy, but thought I would go and try out the civilian world again. Well, I should have gone back in, but didn't. I completely enjoyed seeing the world from an aircraft carrier.

If you want to see the world, GO NAVY!

[medic11]

Man all I can say is go for it, CBrown made some good points, I plan on getting a direct commission after I finish my BSN next year and doing the active officer side of it, there is pretty decent money over there. Enlisted are not hurting by any means.

Good call on the Air Force also, work smarter not harder wish I would have crossed into the blue when I had a chance.

[blackhawk0718]

Join the Army, that way you can pick on the airforce and not be the ones getting picked on. I am in a better living condition than they are right now in the sand box.

[cootkiller]

As stated above make sure you get a a guaranteed job. When i joined the national Guard the recruiter was trying to fill slots. He came to talk to my parents because i was 17 at the time and they had to sign for me. And my dad told him before they would sign, he had to guarantee me some type of skill i could use when i got out. The only advice i can offer is if you like it and get a good technical skill after 20 years you can do what alot of the guys i work offshore with do. Retire and take off some time then get a job and put away the military retirement. I work with one guy who retired from the Navy, He makes about 11,500 a month out here and gets around 4700 a month from Navy retirement that goes straight to savings every month.

[delta79]

I'm not sure how old you are but if you're young I would definitely do it if you can get in. The Air Force is very political these days. I separated last year through the Palace Chase Program so I could go back and finish school. You gotta score high on your ASVAB and be able to choose your career and have it on your contract before signing anything. There are plenty of ups and downs but the main one is having a great supervisor that's going to take care of you. Also the Air Force is kicking people out left and right because some members can't pass their PT test. The Air Force deploys as much as the Army and Marines but most of our deployments are only 6 months. I'm not sure what the future holds but Congress is now trying to cut military benefits and trying to get rid of the 20 yr retirement plan and go to a 401k type retirement. If you have any questions, just let me know.

[mudsucker]

Do not know much about the Air "Farce" but was in the Navy for 4 years and knew what I wanted to do when I got out BEFORE I went in. I say this to reinforce what some one said about a job that can translate to a civilan job. I wanted to attain a Merchant Marine Officers Lic. and needed "sea time". I went in (gauranteed school) to be a QM, guy who navigates the ship, and they tried to talk me into going on Subs but that does not count as sea time for lic. purpose. Have a plan and stick to it if you are only going in for 4yrs. 3 months after getting out of the Navy(1984), I got a job on this ship I am on now that is owned by the Army and manned by civilan mariners(ACOE) so in effect, the Navy taught me how to drive a ship for the Army!!!! Best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

[fieldt76]

I agree, I spent 4 yrs in the Marines as an Assaultman and got out with abosolutely no skills that translate to the civilian world. It's kind of frustrating.

[H20fowlkiller]

Definetly get training in something that translates into the real world, like others mentioned electronics can help u get into the oil field if that's the route you want to take. Also if you can get into flying, there is a huge shortage of quality pilots in the oilfield to fly helos