question in regards to the Air Force
Sun Jun 23, 2013 12:51 am
I have a question in regards to the Air Force and I need someone who was in the Air Force to answer? How was the Air Force for you?..Did you enjoy it? Was there any stress at times? I'm planning on joining straight out of high school within the next 2 years and I want to know what it will be like and if I'll enjoy it or not.
Re: question in regards to the Air Force
Sun Jun 23, 2013 2:09 pm
It was the best thing to happen for me. I spent 26 years in the USAF/ANG as a aircraft mechanic and then flight engineer. I got to see parts of the world that tourists don't see, and got paid for it. Any military branch will make a better person out of you.
Re: question in regards to the Air Force
Tue Jun 25, 2013 9:07 am
Bottom line...go into a job that you are interested in doing, no matter your interests or hobbies...there is a job in the military related to it! Don't let a recruiter tell you..."yeah, that job isn't available right now because...". More likely it's BS. Do something you will enjoy or you'll hate every minute of it or be unhappy with the experience at the very least. I'd recommend someone you know who is in the military or recently served, to go with you to talk to the recruiters. Those guys are "salesmen", no two ways about it.
I was a 20 year Navy guy but I couldn't tell you the first thing about a boat...because I went in for their aviation opportunities. I was all about going into the Air Force but at the time, the Navy had a need for enlisted aircrewmen where as the Air Force could not guarantee me that I could be a flyer. So the choice was made for me.
"Did you enjoy it" ?; Heck yeah! It ain't all fun n' games and I spent a lot of time flying out of crappy places (Iraq, Africa...) but a lot of that is winding down. I spent a lot of time flying to some pretty great places too!
"Was there any stress at times?"; Absolutely, you can count on it but making it through the next challenge makes you better for it.
I sit here today, retired from the military and working in a job still closely related to what I did (I write the flight manuals for the aircraft I flew in), I don't have a college degree (I will eventually because they're going to pay for it) but make a good living and have experienced far more in life at this point than most will in a lifetime.
Best of luck with your decision and feel free to shoot me a message if you're looking for any more "gouge" (Navy air slang for "info"...lol).
I was a 20 year Navy guy but I couldn't tell you the first thing about a boat...because I went in for their aviation opportunities. I was all about going into the Air Force but at the time, the Navy had a need for enlisted aircrewmen where as the Air Force could not guarantee me that I could be a flyer. So the choice was made for me.
"Did you enjoy it" ?; Heck yeah! It ain't all fun n' games and I spent a lot of time flying out of crappy places (Iraq, Africa...) but a lot of that is winding down. I spent a lot of time flying to some pretty great places too!
"Was there any stress at times?"; Absolutely, you can count on it but making it through the next challenge makes you better for it.
I sit here today, retired from the military and working in a job still closely related to what I did (I write the flight manuals for the aircraft I flew in), I don't have a college degree (I will eventually because they're going to pay for it) but make a good living and have experienced far more in life at this point than most will in a lifetime.
Best of luck with your decision and feel free to shoot me a message if you're looking for any more "gouge" (Navy air slang for "info"...lol).
Re: question in regards to the Air Force
Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:55 pm
AFWhite talks sense.
I enjoyed my 20 years, but then again, I was an officer with a physically cushy job.
I've heard it said many times that you get out of it what you put in it...and that's true.
I enjoyed my 20 years, but then again, I was an officer with a physically cushy job.
I've heard it said many times that you get out of it what you put in it...and that's true.
Re: question in regards to the Air Force
Sun Nov 03, 2013 6:25 am
Hmmm....this is a pretty old post, so I would imagine you have made up your mind on either the Air Force or some other branch. Going into the military is a great way to start your life. It will give you a heads-up on so many other young people who choose to work for less than stellar employers flipping burgers or what-have-you. Most employers today give preferential treatment to potential employees, based upon them serving in the military. Employers like the fact that you have been part of a team environment, that you can take orders and follow them to the letter. All traits you will learn in any branch of the military.
My personal experience with the Air Force was quite a bit of a let-down, but I went in at an entirely different time. I went in 1981, fresh out of high school. My recruiter steered me away from my desire to be a B-52 jet engine mechanic by showing me a video of these guys running around with machine guns, handcuffing bad guys...etc. Basic training and the police academy were great...being stationed at Minot AFB with the outside temperature being about -50 with the windchill during an all-out nuclear exercise was a less than stellar introduction to my short career in the Air Force. Over time, I had the extremely depressing notion that all of the fellas who out-ranked me were left over from Vietnam and just wanted to get in their 20 years and retire. Morale was very low. Attitudes very bad. I could not wait for my 4 years to be over. Soon after I got out, I talked to a recruiter who told me they were instituting something called Quality Force. Meaning all of those fellas who were just looking to skate by, do their time and get out, were being unceremoniously let go, whether they wanted to be or not. I talk to recruiters of every branch every chance I get and love talking to they young people who are serving in any branch of the military today. Hearing the young people be so upbeat and excited about their future with the military brings a whole lot of joy to my old heart!
If you are still on the fence about joining the military, I would recommend that you follow the other suggestions here and find a job that you will like. Once again, it does not matter which branch you enlist in, just go and make the most of it.
My personal experience with the Air Force was quite a bit of a let-down, but I went in at an entirely different time. I went in 1981, fresh out of high school. My recruiter steered me away from my desire to be a B-52 jet engine mechanic by showing me a video of these guys running around with machine guns, handcuffing bad guys...etc. Basic training and the police academy were great...being stationed at Minot AFB with the outside temperature being about -50 with the windchill during an all-out nuclear exercise was a less than stellar introduction to my short career in the Air Force. Over time, I had the extremely depressing notion that all of the fellas who out-ranked me were left over from Vietnam and just wanted to get in their 20 years and retire. Morale was very low. Attitudes very bad. I could not wait for my 4 years to be over. Soon after I got out, I talked to a recruiter who told me they were instituting something called Quality Force. Meaning all of those fellas who were just looking to skate by, do their time and get out, were being unceremoniously let go, whether they wanted to be or not. I talk to recruiters of every branch every chance I get and love talking to they young people who are serving in any branch of the military today. Hearing the young people be so upbeat and excited about their future with the military brings a whole lot of joy to my old heart!
If you are still on the fence about joining the military, I would recommend that you follow the other suggestions here and find a job that you will like. Once again, it does not matter which branch you enlist in, just go and make the most of it.