Question about air force.

[drstrangenorm]

I am 25 and make pretty good money being a network engineer. But I am finding lately that if I have no degree I will never make the insanely good $. I am pretty good at my job and have experience with alot of diff equipment and radios and what not.

I am considering joining the airforce as a way to get college out of the way. Has any one else done this? Do you really get that much college $? Is it pure hell being told what to do every second of the day? A friend is joining but they make it sound like she will have basically an office job somewhere and not see any type of action.

Any ex or current air force guys here?

My main goal is to get a 4 year degree out of the thing and possibly go to a college full time afterwards. I know with working currently the chances of that might not be so good.

Any advice would be great. Thanks guys.

[Jiggly]

depends if you join plan on not being able to go to school for 18 months approximently. you will have 2 months boot camp, 6-9 months of tech school for a tech career field, than about 6-12 months of CDC's or correspoondence courses.

My opinon I was active duty but if you want to go to school full time I would consider the Air National Guard or Reserve. Than if you like the Air Force apply for a commision.

Or apply for a ROTC scholarship at the school you would like to attend.

ROTC is good because you pay for school give the military 4 years and you build managment experiance, or you can decide to stay in.

Best bet, visit a local Air National Guard or reserve unit for a day, talk to a ROTC recruiter, and talk to an active enlisted rec ruiter and decide what is best for you.

Let us know if you have any more ?'s

[fiveninerzero]

+1 for ROTC, enlisted at your age, you will hate it, especially if you are single (25 year old guy with two stripes living in the dorms getting room inspections and bitched at like a little kid) and the pay sucks

If you do decide to join, don't choose the ultra cool sounding jobs, you will deploy a lot and never get college out of the way,and possibly get stop-lossed when it is time to get out.

If I could do it all over again, I would say screw blowing shit up and I would have been the guy at the gym handing towels out. He gets out at 4 pm every day and has a part time job and goes to college half-time.

I have been knocking out my degree like a mad-man, but I have to reschedule educational stuff all the time because of last minute TDY, and deployments, etc.

BTW, if you don't already have a bunch of general ed. credits, you will learn to love CLEP and DANTES tests. There are also distance learning schools that will give you credit for just about anything, you say you do computers, if you have A+, Net+, Linux+ or just a CCNA, those are credits right there.

The Air Force also has a regionally accredited community college that awards A.A.S. based on your enlisted career field, all you have to do is get your journeyman and take some english, math, management and speech, and there you have 64 college credits.

www.degreeinfo.com has the good scoop on distance learning.

Whatever you choose, remember that is 4 years of your life you ain't getting back.

[Jiggly]

Originally Posted by 5niner0

Whatever you choose, remember that is 4 years of your life you ain't getting back.

hahahahaha

Oh one more thing dont sign for 6 for the bonus if you decide to resign you will make more

[drstrangenorm]

I'll look into ROTC. I never took SAT and did poorly in highschool except for my technical classes like some math and computer programming. That might not be an option.

[Hams51]

Jiggly and 5niner0 are pretty much spot on. I'm at the very tail end of my 4 year enlistment. I actually went to technical school with Jiggly for a little bit. Unless you have a family, yes, you will be in the dorms for at about 2-3 years depending if the base you go to have enough rooms or not. Not so fun.

The Reserve and Nat'l Guard has incentives for education. You just have to research online and talk to some knowing recruiters that know what you're going after. ROTC is a great idea. If you're going in, might as well go in commissioned. The Coast Guard isn't a bad branch either and I wouldn't rule them out for an education.

As said above, you will deploy. The AF is envisioning a joint service and is keeping close with the Army, as is the Navy. AF Basic Military Training (BMT) is longer than when I went through it and they place a greater emphasis in field training. So don't be upset if you're called to a 180 day rotation at someplace with no internet access. It's a commitment and you have to honor it. Or get the hell out with a dishonorable discharge for staining the uniform.

Do your research. For me, I reaped the benefits of what the AF had to offer and I'm walking out with pride with my arms full. I became a Non Commissioned Officer, got a second AA degree from my 4 years in, gained extensive knowledge in avionics, learned management techniques, I have the MGIB ready to use at will, and I have the experience and professionalism the AF helped me see in myself. I wish I could stay longer...

Weigh your options and choose carefully. Good luck!

[Hams51]

Originally Posted by drstrangenorm

I'll look into ROTC. I never took SAT and did poorly in highschool except for my technical classes like some math and computer programming. That might not be an option.

Don't reflect your current knowledge with the past. Priorities change.

[fiveninerzero]

Originally Posted by drstrangenorm

I'll look into ROTC. I never took SAT and did poorly in highschool except for my technical classes like some math and computer programming. That might not be an option.

Go to your local community college, they don't care about your high school there.

[AirForceTeacher]

Originally Posted by drstrangenorm

Is it pure hell being told what to do every second of the day?

Biggest misconception about the military there is. Someone who can think and act for themself is very highly valued in the Air Force. I love my sergeants!

A friend is joining but they make it sound like she will have basically an office job somewhere and not see any type of action.

Going away fast. Expect to deploy at least once in a 4 year career, especially if you come in as a networking guy (communications / computer operator, tech controller, etc)

My main goal is to get a 4 year degree out of the thing and possibly go to a college full time afterwards.

Cliche, but the military is mission first and you will get out of it what you put into it. Having said that, many enlisted can and do finish degrees, but the hours will make it harder. You could also consider ROTC if you're smart enough and can work as a network engineer part time.

[1296sloto200]

AirForceTeacher is RIGHT on with his explaination... If your looking to just get some collage out of the way then i highly suggest talking to a air guard recruiter... you dont get told what to do every minute of every day... if you know what is expected of you and you do it with out being told/asked then you have nobody telling you what to do... its pretty much that simple. One thing you need to understand that most recruiters will sugar coat for you is that in the military, THE MISSION COMES FIRST... not collage classes, not your wifes tupperware party ect. ect. I joined so i could go to school... i didnt get to take collage classes until i came to my current job as an instructor because i simply didnt have the time! Deployments, TDY's and long work hours kept me from keeping a set schedule. Just some things to think about... Friend of mine is a network admin for the air force... he cross trained from a Jet engine mech. He loves it! But he is definatly not here for the money cause as you know, you can make ALOT more on the outside doing that, than you can on the inside!

[JohnSchubert]

All good advice and YMMV based upon career field. The cops eat their young, and some others are easy (like the MWR joke about handing out towels). I got in for college, and ended up a 4 year and 1/2 way done with an MBA after 7 years and 6 months in (extensions to get back from Alaska, and PCS to California). I got BACK in to the Guard as an officer, and early 30s. This was a mistake for MY SITUATION. My senior leadership has small peni$ syndrom and can't look beyond my LT bar and into the 10 years of Space Command experience and a proven track record.

However, there's still good leaders out there. It's hit and miss as to whether you'll love or hate your job. Active Duty I loved...Guard I hate, because for every 1 day I work, I spend 2 hours of my own time doing paperwork (orders request, filling out orders certification, travel voucher, lodging receipts, etc, all while trying to do my civilian employer/home stuff) but again, it's unique to my situation (ANG trying to be Active Duty space with a 24/7 satellite flying mission)

[stephygee]

Originally Posted by drstrangenorm

I am considering joining the airforce as a way to get college out of the way. Has any one else done this? Do you really get that much college $? Is it pure hell being told what to do every second of the day? A friend is joining but they make it sound like she will have basically an office job somewhere and not see any type of action.

The Air Force is perhaps the only service, except the Navy, that emphasizes continuing education and incorporates completion status into its enlisted performance reports. As the only service that has its own community college (Community College of the Air Force), you will have the opportunity to earn an A.S. degree in your designated career field.

Currently, Air Force tuition assistance provides 100% tuition and fees, and is capped at $4,500 per fiscal year. If you elect to enroll in the Montgomery GI Bill (option given to you in basic training), you can utilize the "Top Up" program where your GI bill will pay whatever fees tuition assistance doesn't cover (if you exceed the $4,500 cap).

Pure hell being told what to do everyday? That depends on you, really. Instructors and supervisors that you will have throughout your Air Force career are there to train you to become the best Airman you can be, whether you choose to be officer or enlisted. How you adapt to that training and the Air Force Core Values (Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do) dictates whether you will require additional "mentoring." Remember, integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking. If you keep that in mind, you'll never go wrong. The Air Force prides itself on having the most technologically advanced individuals in its cadre; you are encouraged and expected to make decisions that are in the best interest of completing the Air Force mission. Babysitting is not an option.

If you want the option to dwell outdoors the majority of your career, then the Air Force is not for you. If you choose the computer field, I can tell you that there will be times that you'll be outdoors running lines when setting up communications in the field (yes, you will deploy). Other than that, you'll be indoors minding your servers and watching the users find new ways to try and skirt your security system. It's a good life

Whatever you decide, choose wisely, and don't blame the [insert service here] if you don't accomplish the goals you set for yourself. As with everything in your life, experiences are what you make of it. I've had a good run with 18 years and some change in the Air Force. It seems like yesterday that I was getting yelled at by my MTI (military training instructor). I've seen the world, made friends for life, and received the best education (MBA w/minor in IT Security) that Uncle Sam's money can buy, and I wear my uniform and stripes proudly. In return, I gave and continue to give the Air Force the best that I can, every day. When the ride's over, I'll walk away with no regrets and confidence that the next generation will keep our service strong.

[Hams51]

Well put Stephygee!

[Jiggly]

stephy what school did you get your MBA from?

[stephygee]

Originally Posted by Jiggly

stephy what school did you get your MBA from?

I received my Associate Degree from the Community College of the Air Force, my Bachelors Degree from Chapman University, and my MBA from Webster University