Air Force..............

[RedsLakers24]

Talking to a recruiter tomorrow, decided college was not for me, what can i expect?, how do i tell my parents?

[silverblk mystix]

Seriously reconsider college...

If I had a do-over in life...it would be to forget joining the military--and just go to college and enjoy 4 more years of easy street.

There just is no reason to forfeit 4 years of your life when there are better options.

Remember, once you join the military...they own you--literally. Why do you think they are called GI's ? (Government Issue).

If you simply must....I'll check in later and give you some basic Air Force info regarding basic training, lackland afb info, job duties,etc...

Find a way to adapt to college...it is always a better option...education is #1...

[ChuckD]

Again? Wasn't college "not for you" last year?

[Tinystarz]

Yup you will become government property. I looked into that but I just can't do it.

[RedsLakers24]

Again? Wasn't college "not for you" last year?

It was, but my parents wouldnt let go to the air force, so i went back to give it another try, but now im making the decision without them, im 21 already.

[phyzik]

I tried for Air Force, took the ASVAB and pretty much had my choice of field except for pilot because of my eyesight.... dont know if it has changed with the advances of Lasik, but back then (about 10 years ago) they wouldnt allow it.

It ended up that they wouldnt take me... I had a broken leg back in like '98 that I opted to let heal naturally instead of surgery, because of that I would have had severe shin splints throughout basic and a doctor appointed by them recommended they not accept me.

My suggestion, before you tell your parents, take the ASVAB to at least to know where you stand as far as career choices within the Air Force and what options you have.

Taking the test doesnt mean you are commited.

It will help you decide if its the right choice.

If you come out of the ASVAB with a good score, or with something your comfortable with, it will better arm you when you decide to confront your parents with your decision.

Above all else, its YOUR decision, not theirs. If they are good parents, and you are open with them, they will accept your decision as a grown person. They may not like it at first, but they will accept it eventually.

[jjktkk]

Your parents should understand. You can save money for college, thru the GI bill, plus you will serve your country. I would recommend all young people to join the military. Do your time and then you can attend college after your 1st enlistment. It also looks good on your resume when your job hunting in the future.

[Stringer_Bell]

If you're 21, just finish school as fast and easy as possible while keeping your grades/physical fitness up and go for officer. Quality of life is so much better than NCO.

Tell your parents that the Air Force has more educational opportunities than the other branches, you'll be taken care of with good benefits, and get to live the life you want for you.

[RedsLakers24]

My parents are overprotected of me and thats the reason they dont want me to go, im wasting my time in college, i have a low gpa, i fucked up my first 2 years cause i was never interested in my career, its a career my parents chose for me, and now i have to go to a community college, my parents dont know that, so im actually thinking of joining the air force and doing something i really like and not something my parents want me to do.

[phyzik]

My parents are overprotected of me and thats the reason they dont want me to go, im wasting my time in college, i have a low gpa, i fucked up my first 2 years cause i was never interested in my career, its a career my parents chose for me, and now i have to go to a community college, my parents dont know that, so im actually thinking of joining the air force and doing something i really like and not something my parents want me to do.

Then grow a sack and do it.

[RedsLakers24]

Then grow a sack and do it.

Do you have any advice of questions i should ask the recruiter?

[Stringer_Bell]

Do you have any advice of questions i should ask the recruiter?

Make sure whatever bonus or benefit he tells you about, get it in writing. It's not a bad gig if you really feel dissatisfied with school/career path, you don't seem to have a real greedy reason for wanting to do it so you'll probably enjoy it in surprising ways.

Oh yea, and if you're parents get mad and cut you off, it won't matter because you will be self sufficient and eventually they'll want you back.

[4>0rings]

You gave up on life because you had to go to community college? :lmao

I can't say I wouldn't if I were you. I've always wanted to join the military. I would only be in the air force if I could fly a plane/heli.

[RedsLakers24]

Make sure whatever bonus or benefit he tells you about, get it in writing. It's not a bad gig if you really feel dissatisfied with school/career path, you don't seem to have a real greedy reason for wanting to do it so you'll probably enjoy it in surprising ways.

Oh yea, and if you're parents get mad and cut you off, it won't matter because you will be self sufficient and eventually they'll want you back.

I dont really care about money, i just want to do something i actually like, it would suck to make money but having a job you really hate for the rest of you life, I love to travel, so thats why i want to go the milatary way.

[ALVAREZ6]

You sound like a retard that is bound for failure wherever you go. You're just deciding now, despite having low grades for 2 full years of disinterest, started a career path you never were interested in and didn't have the balls to change or start from the beginning on a different major, don't have the balls or brains to know what to do know in dealing with your parents so you're here asking spurstalk.....dude, WTF?

Go out there and do what you want, you have one life, stop being a pussy and wasting your time and money.

[RedsLakers24]

You gave up on life because you had to go to community college? :lmao

I can't say I wouldn't if I were you. I've always wanted to join the military. I would only be in the air force if I could fly a plane/heli.

Not because of that, i would go to a community college, my parents would be pissed off, its just that what i always wanted to do was Airforce or Firefighting, i prefer air force cause i love to travel, but i couldnt do either one cause of my parents, they think those jobs are for the people who are lazy and they think its going to get me kill

[jjktkk]

Not because of that, i would go to a community college, my parents would be pissed off, its just that what i always wanted to do was Airforce or Firefighting, i prefer air force cause i love to travel, but i couldnt do either one cause of my parents, they think those jobs are for the people who are lazy and they think its going to get me kill

If you love to travel, have you considered the Navy? In the Airforce you get stationed overseas, which is cool, but your stuck there. Say you get on a ship in the Navy and do a six month deployment, you can see multiple countries and ports. The Navy also has broad aviation field, if thats your interest. Plus if you like firefighting, you get outstanding firefighting training in the Navy, so you could get a leg up on becoming a civilian firefighter after your Navy enlistment is up, if thats the route you wanna go.

[RedsLakers24]

You sound like a retard that is bound for failure wherever you go. You're just deciding now, despite having low grades for 2 full years of disinterest, started a career path you never were interested in and didn't have the balls to change or start from the beginning on a different major, don't have the balls or brains to know what to do know in dealing with your parents so you're here asking spurstalk.....dude, WTF?

Go out there and do what you want, you have one life, stop being a pussy and wasting your time and money.

I know, im a dumbass and im a pussy, im not going to deny that, i always let my parents decide everything for me, and now im just going to decide this on my own without them, but im just dont know how to tell them. I fucked up, and i think the Air Force is smart idea to be independant and fix my mistakes.

[RedsLakers24]

If you love to travel, have you considered the Navy? In the Airforce you get stationed overseas, which is cool, but your stuck there. Say you get on a ship in the Navy and do a six month deployment, you can see multiple countries and ports. The Navy also has broad aviation field, if thats your interest. Plus if you like firefighting, you get outstanding firefighting training in the Navy, so you could get a leg up on becoming a civilian firefighter after your Navy enlistment is up, if thats the route you wanna go.

Comming out of high school firefighting was my first choice, but i couldnt do it cause of my parents, theres a Navy recruiter in the same building as the Air foce one, so im also going to talk to him, thanx for the navy idea.

[4>0rings]

There is nothing wrong with joining the military if that is really what you want to do.

About seeing places with the Navy... I'm not sure about getting stationed somewhere but if you are on a ship I don't think they make port calls anymore and there is no more shore leave. You stay on the ship and you see the land far away, that's not really seeing places.

Ever thought about the National Guard? You stay safe and get to play with guns.

What ever you do, do something that will pertain to a career outside the military. There are no options in civilian careers being a tank driver for example...

[jjktkk]

Comming out of high school firefighting was my first choice, but i couldnt do it cause of my parents, theres a Navy recruiter in the same building as the Air foce one, so im also going to talk to him, thanx for the navy idea.

Knowing that I'd probably party too much in college, I joined the Navy after high school. It was the best thing I did, at that time. I grew up, saved money for college and got to see alot of the world. Your a young guy, you got plenty of time to join the military for a couple years and then return to school. And once you get out, you got that military expierence, which always looks good on a resume, plus you got money for college.

[RedsLakers24]

Knowing that I'd probably party too much in college, I joined the Navy after high school. It was the best thing I did, at that time. I grew up, saved money for college and got to see alot of the world. Your a young guy, you got plenty of time to join the military for a couple years and then return to school. And once you get out, you got that military expierence, which always looks good on a resume, plus you got money for college.

Thats what i was thinking, i fucked up cause i never studied for any test, and party too much, but i finished most of my ge's, so im thinking of going to the air force, become independent, and save money for college if i decide to go back.

[jjktkk]

There is nothing wrong with joining the military if that is really what you want to do.

About seeing places with the Navy... I'm not sure about getting stationed somewhere but if you are on a ship I don't think they make port calls anymore and there is no more shore leave. You stay on the ship and you see the land far away, that's not really seeing places.

Ever thought about the National Guard? You stay safe and get to play with guns.

What ever you do, do something that will pertain to a career outside the military. There are no options in civilian careers being a tank driver for example...

They still make port calls. Got a buddy on his way back from a WESTPAC(Western Pacific cruise). His ship made port calls in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sidney Austrailia.

[4>0rings]

They still make port calls. Got a buddy on his way back from a WESTPAC(Western Pacific cruise). His ship made port calls in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sidney Austrailia.And they let them off the ship to go cruising around towns, not just bases?

[Lonny]

Military entrance exams are so easy retards could score highly. They are designed to entice you. To make you feel powerful and smart.

Once in their grasps, you will be broken down and mentally fucked. They will program you to do as they say whenever they say it. And if you do not, your life will be fucked.

Having said that, I would say do it. You obviously do not know what you want to do so you might as well just have someone tell you what to do.

Also anytime I see a DV liscense plate, I move over because they are the shittiest drivers ever.

[phyzik]

Do you have any advice of questions i should ask the recruiter?

whatever you do.... Do not believe a word your recruiter says.

They get commision for you joining.... They are in it for the money....

They will say whatever they think will convince you to join.





Best advice I can give has already been said..... Take the ASVAB and decide for yourself. DO NOT let your recruiter tell you whats best for you. They are, for the most part, in it to get the biggest commision from your signature.

Do whats best for you in the long run....

[RedsLakers24]

Thanx for all of your advice guys, I already made up my mind that im going, the hard part is just telling my parents. Im already in shape, i run 4 miles every 3 days, and im hitting the gym everyday to prepare for the training.

[jjktkk]

And they let them off the ship to go cruising around towns, not just bases?

Yes.

[Soul_Patch]

You will not regret joining the Air Force. Just pick a career field that you really want to learn and advance in, dont just take something because it is there. Being in the service will open a ton of doors for you down the road, you can then use the GI Bill for college, etc...I see a ton of doors closed every day because i do not have prior service. I work for the government, but it is hard to advance without having served before.

Join, enjoy it, try and get an assignment somewhere in Europe, see the world, come home and really get to work when you get out.

[TheManFromAcme]

Join the Air Force. Being government property isn't all that bad either. GI bill for college and purchasing a home is a cool deal.
Depending on your field should you join, you can end up getting a good civilian job that prefers ex-military.

Got a cousin who did 8 years (?) working on engines and now has a kick-butt job with Lokcheed-martin making about 75k. They picked him over the guys that had traditional vocational training. Why? his service.

FYI

[Das Texan]

What does your career or major choice have to do with fucking up your first two years.

Last time I checked in your first two years you were mostly taking all of your basics...

[scampers]

There are some real ignorant fucks here.

The Air Force will not brainwash you. If you get brainwashed from the Air Force's joke of a basic, you have some serious problems. Air Force BMT was like summer camp to me, it was actually quite fun.

My time in the Air Force was the best years of my life. I was like you, I was doing shitty at college so I talked to recruiters. I actually finished the majority of my degree while on active duty, so you aren't exactly putting your life on hold. I'm using the GI Bill now to finish school, and TBH the GI Bill nowadays is amazing. Full tuition paid, book stipend, and housing allowance paid every month you're in school. I actually make money off from it. The pay isn't great, but its usually the morons who don't know how to budget that complain about being broke all the time. The military will pay most of your essential living expenses so you have no excuse to save money. Quality of life in the AF all depends on your job and base, some bases have amazing dorms and base housing, while others haven't been renovated since the start of the cold war.

There are cons, though. For one, the Air Force is not exactly hurting for recruits so you need to kick ass on the ASVAB and hope you don't have any physical defects (color vision, depth perception, etc) or you're going to get stuck with a shitty job. And while there are some awesome jobs in the Air Force that will make you big time $$ when you get out, there are some complete shit jobs that will suck when you're in and do nothing for you when you are out. Do everything you can to get a guaranteed job (NOT a guaranteed aptitude area!!) -before- you go to basic. If you don't like the job they gave you, tell them to fuck off because its just not worth it.

The whole "brainwashing" thing doesn't really happen. The closest the military comes to brainwashing people, as some morons here put it, is some of the more hardcore special operations crap. The Air Force as a branch operates more like a business, TBH. Unless you get some kind of combat ops job (which there are not many in the AF), you'll likely often forget you're in the military at times.

Good luck. I worked in recruiting while I was on AD for a short while (note--I was -not- a recruiter) so if you have any questions feel free to PM me.

[Stringer_Bell]

What does your career or major choice have to do with fucking up your first two years.

Last time I checked in your first two years you were mostly taking all of your basics...

One of the first things he mentioned was that college wasn't for him, and getting put on a path you don't want only makes it harder to focus or take pride whatever you encounter on that path - college being one of them in this case. It's true, not everyone is cut out for learning in a normal classroom setting.

[CavsSuperFan]

Funny how some of you are critical of joining the armed forces yet no mention of throwing the best years of your life away by getting married…If I had it to do over again I would have joined the Air Force or Navy…Instead I got married young & worked two jobs for the next twenty years trying to appease a wife who’s only goal was keeping up with the Jones’s….Every day it was why cant I have a new car, we need a patio, the TV is outdated, I want to go to Hawaii, what kind of geek plays with electric trains, how big a loser do you have to be to still ride the same bicycle you rode in high school...

A screaming drill sergeant or a contentious woman….I would take the drill sergeant any day…

[Ace]

If you're 21, just finish school as fast and easy as possible while keeping your grades/physical fitness up and go for officer. Quality of life is so much better than NCO.

Tell your parents that the Air Force has more educational opportunities than the other branches, you'll be taken care of with good benefits, and get to live the life you want for you.
+1
Money is much better this way., imho

[jeebus]

Officer makes more money but they are also hard wired to be douche bags. I thank God every day that I didn't stay in school and go officer. I made less money but man, I was so much more happier as an Airmen than as a retard Lieutenant.

And if you want to travel A LOT, pick a career that has to deal with the aircraft. You'll be guaranteed to get some awesome TDYs. I forget who said it earlier about being Air Force and stationed overseas means you'll be stuck there...that's a load of crap. While I was stationed in Japan, I got to see India, Iceland, Thailand, the Philippines, etc, along with other trips to the states. And if you get stationed in Europe..well, you got it set then.

If you do well on your ASVAB and pass all the stupid duck walk crap, you're set. Like the dude who's cousin worked engines said, pick a good job. Engines, sheet metal, NDI(especially NDI), maybe even Fuels if you wanna deal with all that...those all get good jobs on the outside in addition to lots of traveling.

[Soul_Patch]

There are some real ignorant fucks here.

The Air Force will not brainwash you. If you get brainwashed from the Air Force's joke of a basic, you have some serious problems. Air Force BMT was like summer camp to me, it was actually quite fun.

My time in the Air Force was the best years of my life. I was like you, I was doing shitty at college so I talked to recruiters. I actually finished the majority of my degree while on active duty, so you aren't exactly putting your life on hold. I'm using the GI Bill now to finish school, and TBH the GI Bill nowadays is amazing. Full tuition paid, book stipend, and housing allowance paid every month you're in school. I actually make money off from it. The pay isn't great, but its usually the morons who don't know how to budget that complain about being broke all the time. The military will pay most of your essential living expenses so you have no excuse to save money. Quality of life in the AF all depends on your job and base, some bases have amazing dorms and base housing, while others haven't been renovated since the start of the cold war.

There are cons, though. For one, the Air Force is not exactly hurting for recruits so you need to kick ass on the ASVAB and hope you don't have any physical defects (color vision, depth perception, etc) or you're going to get stuck with a shitty job. And while there are some awesome jobs in the Air Force that will make you big time $$ when you get out, there are some complete shit jobs that will suck when you're in and do nothing for you when you are out. Do everything you can to get a guaranteed job (NOT a guaranteed aptitude area!!) -before- you go to basic. If you don't like the job they gave you, tell them to fuck off because its just not worth it.

The whole "brainwashing" thing doesn't really happen. The closest the military comes to brainwashing people, as some morons here put it, is some of the more hardcore special operations crap. The Air Force as a branch operates more like a business, TBH. Unless you get some kind of combat ops job (which there are not many in the AF), you'll likely often forget you're in the military at times.

Good luck. I worked in recruiting while I was on AD for a short while (note--I was -not- a recruiter) so if you have any questions feel free to PM me.

X2 -- Well said

[RedsLakers24]

Just finish talking to the recruiter, he said the Air Force is really full right now so the time for process is really long, but im still going to do it, im taking the test in 2 weeks, i did a practice test and it was the easiest thing ever, i scored really high, but im not taking any chances, im still going to study for the real one. The hard part is now just telling my parents.

[jeebus]

I got high 80s/low 90s when I took mine and I got the choice of pretty much whatever job I want. Score high on the ASVAB, stay in shape, don't tell the doc's ANYTHING that'll mess with your chances of getting in and you'll be straight. And if the parent's don't like it? Oh well. You'll be moving away from them soon enough.

[scampers]

Just finish talking to the recruiter, he said the Air Force is really full right now so the time for process is really long, but im still going to do it, im taking the test in 2 weeks, i did a practice test and it was the easiest thing ever, i scored really high, but im not taking any chances, im still going to study for the real one. The hard part is now just telling my parents.

For the ASVAB, do as many study problems for the word knowledge section (synonyms and whatnot) as you can, because even though it seems easy they always seem to throw you off with some weird ass words. Study up on basic college level algebra and geometry. I notice they tend to ask a lot of area and perimeter questions, so know your equations for different geometric shapes. That was really the hardest part for me, I hadn't done geometry in years so the equations were a little fuzzy. But study like crazy, the higher your ASVAB the better chance of getting the job you want (or getting a job at all). If you score a 60+ your recruiter will tell you you're a genius, but you really want to shoot for a 90+.

Start researching jobs now. Recruiters aren't really allowed to help you pick jobs, so you're on your own in that regards. They can give you ideas but they are not supposed to help you actually pick. usmilitary.about.com has a pretty good job listing, though their descriptions are mostly official technobabble. Get a list of as many jobs as possible that you wouldn't mind doing. The more jobs you list when you're at MEPS, the better chance you have of shipping earlier. Keep an open mind, but never list something you wouldn't want to do. Remember, you will be listing your jobs when you go to MEPS for your physical so be prepared.

As for telling your parents, you basically have to sell it to them. Your recruiter may actually be able to help you with this. But remember, in the end you are an adult and can make big decisions like this for yourself. Good luck!

[Johnson]

I love to travel...
I hear Afghanistan is beautiful this time of year.

[Sisk]

You seem scared of your parents tbh.

[ferg]

dont let 'tards on here tell you not to join and all the other b.s. i read in this thread. do what you want FOR YOU and YOU ONLY! as far as telling your parents, just walk up to them and say "this is what I am going to do for ME". its time to assert your self as an adult and your own person. thank them for all they have done for you but let them know its time to become your own person. when you graduate BMT, they will be so proud of you its not even funny. plus when you go back home and you see the same people doing the same shit, you will know then you made the right decision. good luck!

[RedsLakers24]

You seem scared of your parents tbh.

Not scared of them, im just afraid of their reaction, i have good parents, they arent going to be that mad, just dissapointed, and im going to have 6 months of nothing to do, cause thats how long i have to wait till i start basic training, i need to find a job and live with them till then.

[RedsLakers24]

What are some good jobs at the air force, from the practice test that i took showed that i qualified for any job that i want, the test felt like a middle school test, im really interested in Mechanics or Intelligene, but what would you guys recommend?

[bluefoot]

Not scared of them, im just afraid of their reaction, i have good parents, they arent going to be that mad, just dissapointed, and im going to have 6 months of nothing to do, cause thats how long i have to wait till i start basic training, i need to find a job and live with them till then.

You should tell them sooner rather than later. Your mind is made up and it sounds like you really might be one of those who enjoy the military but just to be courteous to your parents, tell them ASAP and get it over with. Yeah they will be disappointed but I think they'll eventually see this is what you want to do.

Just curious - sure you don't want to go to some party college and have fun for the next 2-3 years? Take easy classes, do what you want, just have fun.