A talk with an Air Force Recruiter

[Provost Harrison]

My friend, I hear Iran has effective SAM batteries unlike Iraq

[Dis]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
My friend, I hear Iran has effective SAM batteries unlike Iraq

unless he's a pilot, that doesn't matter.

unless they have cruise missiles (surface to surface), he'll be okay. .

And there's always the possibility of terrorist attacks like the one in Saudi Arabia in the 90's. But if he's an officer, he won't have to worry so much. He won't be stuck in the high density housing the enlisteds use. .

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Donegeal
Just remember this quote from an Airman I knew "I'm not in the military, I'm in the Air Force!".

You mean the "Chair Force", don't you? There's also a rumor going around that if this conflict continues on, that the Air Force will be merged into the military.....

Anyways, my biggest mistake when I enlisted was that when I went to the enlistment center, I was given a list of jobs that I was qualified for, none of them being on my original A-List that I had discussed with my recruiter. Regardless, I signed up for a maintenance tech position on the spot. Rertrospectively speaking, I'd say that the recruiters are going to first offer you an echelon of jobs that need to be filled. If you don't bite on those, then they'll probably start trotting out better jobs a few weeks after that.....


D

[Frankychan]

Originally posted by Darsnan


You mean the "Chair Force", don't you? There's also a rumor going around that if this conflict continues on, that the Air Force will be merged into the military.....

Anyways, my biggest mistake when I enlisted was that when I went to the enlistment center, I was given a list of jobs that I was qualified for, none of them being on my original A-List that I had discussed with my recruiter. Regardless, I signed up for a maintenance tech position on the spot. Rertrospectively speaking, I'd say that the recruiters are going to first offer you an echelon of jobs that need to be filled. If you don't bite on those, then they'll probably start trotting out better jobs a few weeks after that.....


D

This is good to know. I'm not a tech kind of guy, neither am I a mechanic. If he offers me some jobs on the spot, I'll know what's up.


How do you become an officer? I thought if you already have a degree, you qualify to become an officer.

[Dis]

I'm not entirely sure how to become an officer. Usually a degree (it may have to be a masters or higher) will do it. But the field of study may be important. Unless you go to the academy of course, then you are automatically an officer. OTS stands for officer training school. You'd have to go to that. So ask the recruiter about that.

And do take note of warrant officers. They aren't as good as officers, and have limited chance for advancement (so don't expect to be a general), but better pay than enlisted.

Also take note that officers don't do any real work. So the mechanic or tech stuff doesn't matter at all. you'll be in management and desk job positions primarily (unless you are a pilot or doctor). So some good people and management skills are important.

[Sava]

Dis

Sava

[Atahualpa]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
Meet people you'd never meet and see places you wouldn't see.

Pah that's stupid rhetoric... you can do that even better if you are civilian!

I was 6 months in Málaga from my university being an exchange student and travelled through whole spain afterwards for 3 weeks. I could tell you the same and I didn't need military service to do that.
You have so much time in your life. Right now here is an American from Hawaii who is travelling around in Europe, going here, going there and later trying to settle down in Prague as english teacher for a while.

If you'd just want to do that, you really don't need to join the military.

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Frankychan
How do you become an officer? I thought if you already have a degree, you qualify to become an officer.

Don't know how it is now. Ask your Recruiter. Just be aware that for officers you typically have to enlist for more years.....

D

[Barinthus]

Consider urself lucky that you are able to have choices regarding military and such

[Lonestar]

Originally posted by Dis


And do take note of warrant officers. They aren't as good as officers, and have limited chance for advancement (so don't expect to be a general), but better pay than enlisted.

The USAF doesn't have Warrants and you have to make E7 in order ot get CWO in the navy.

[Commy]

Originally posted by Riesstiu IV
Only commies join the armed forces.

Right, because of the ten largest armies in the world, only one could even be considered communist...China...

And obviously all 2 million American soldiers are communists, because they all VOLUNTEERED to defend capitalism and freedom...

[Joseph]

Originally posted by Dis
I'm not entirely sure how to become an officer. Usually a degree (it may have to be a masters or higher) will do it. But the field of study may be important. Unless you go to the academy of course, then you are automatically an officer. OTS stands for officer training school. You'd have to go to that. So ask the recruiter about that.

And do take note of warrant officers. They aren't as good as officers, and have limited chance for advancement (so don't expect to be a general), but better pay than enlisted.

Also take note that officers don't do any real work. So the mechanic or tech stuff doesn't matter at all. you'll be in management and desk job positions primarily (unless you are a pilot or doctor). So some good people and management skills are important.

No Warrants in the Air Force.

[Joseph]

Ask about OCS since you have a degree. That is Officer Candidate School. OCS is 90 days. If you make it, they will Promote you to 1st LT. That means you will skip 2nd LT. With your degree, you would likey wind up in the Medical field somewhere. Your Military time would be 6 years unless there is a special offer for signing up. Ask about special offer just to see if they are any.

[Riesstiu IV]

Originally posted by Commy


Right, because of the ten largest armies in the world, only one could even be considered communist...China...

And obviously all 2 million American soldiers are communists, because they all VOLUNTEERED to defend capitalism and freedom...

All those American soldiers are closet communists. When the time is right they will initiate a glorious red revolution since most soldiers come from "red" states and vote for "red" candidates. Then who will be the one who looks foolish?

[Frankychan]

Damn, guys. You all kick ass. I'm a little sketchy going in tomorrow. If I do enlist in the AF, I'd probably go officer just because of the privileges as well as the pay.

I did think about joining the Navy as a second choice, but they are out at sea for a very long time. I don't mind that, considering I've lived right next to the ocean all my life. It's just the fact that there's no land for a long time. And I'd like to come back to HI on leave.

Enlisting longer doesn't really bother me. It might delay what I want to do with my life, but so long as it will propel me further to my ultimate career goal, I'll be alright.

Damn guys. Thanks.

If you all have anything else to say, please do. Tomorrow is when I talk to the recruiter, so any help or key questions would be appreciated.

I'll let you all know how it went as well.