Originally Posted by frazod (Post 5757030)

I'm 43, and if I had done my 20 and retired I'd have been getting a decent pension for past four years now, plus I wouldn't have to pay $400 a month for mother****ing healthcare.

You don't think about that when you're young, but that's about a $2,000 swing in monthly income.

Originally Posted by Bwana (Post 5757546)

It depends what you go into. If you go into something that will translate into a good career after you're out, It's well worth it. I had one buddy that fueled jets when he was in, worthless when he got out. My brother on the other hand, went into Hazmad and saftey, got his master degree while he was there on their dime and has done very very well because of it.

Originally Posted by joesomebody (Post 5758389)

I say go for it. I hated my first year of college and when 9/11 hit in September of my freshman year my mind was made up. I have zero regrets and now I go to Mizzou for free. One bit of advice is to make sure and get a guaranteed job before leaving for Basic Training. I mean that, no matter what your recruiter says. Get a guaranteed job. Also, don't be a cop (security forces.) Someone said earlier that the Air Force only works 4 days a week, I don't know of any career field that does that other than the fire department. They work insane hours for those 4 days and their job is one of the harder ones. They may even do 3 24 hour shifts then 3 off or something like that.

Most jobs, at least in maintenance where I was, work 5 10s, and then are on call every 3rd weekend or so. You'll be on call a lot your first couple years.

I only served at two bases, each base is slightly different so my frame of reference is limited.

Honestly the Air Force isn't that bad of a life, it's hard work and you will get zero respect from other branches (even ass hole army/marine/navy dental assistants who think they are bad asses and have never seen what an active duty flight line is like.)

Despite what you hear, you will not be riding bikes and taking nature hikes for basic training. It's not as bad as the Army or Marine Basic, but it is still a huge pain in the ass. If you aren't in at least decent shape, I would work on that before going. It will make life a whole lot easier.


Yes, as far as your first couple years you'll live in a barracks, but AF barracks are similar or better than most dorms at major universities. Hell my first two years I had my own room, which had a kitchen, living room, my own shitter, and a separate bedroom. More of a studio apartment than a barracks.

After year three at most bases you'll be given the opportunity to live off base, and you'll receive extra money for rent and food. This is great, except you have to start paying for your meals at the chow hall if you want to go there for lunch. Air Force food is actually really good, even after eating it just about every meal for 3 years straight I will admit the food was good.

Someone earlier mentioned that rank is slow in the Air Force. This is extremely true. I made rank as fast as it is possible and I still didn't make E-5 until 2 months before the end of my 4 year enlistment. And that was even with making Senior Airman (E-4) below the zone (basically you get promoted 6 months before you have the time in service to qualify for it.)

Originally Posted by joesomebody (Post 5758389)

Someone earlier mentioned that rank is slow in the Air Force. This is extremely true. I made rank as fast as it is possible and I still didn't make E-5 until 2 months before the end of my 4 year enlistment. And that was even with making Senior Airman (E-4) below the zone (basically you get promoted 6 months before you have the time in service to qualify for it.)

Originally Posted by dtebbe (Post 5758494)

This can also be true in the Army depending on what job you have. Generally speaking, with any branch, the better your job, the slower your rank. I was in the Army and in my MOS E-5 usually took about 6 years IF you busted your ass. You pretty much had to re-train to make E-6. For me, however, I concerned myself much more with learning everything I could OJT, and going to college on the Army dime at night. I spent just under 4 years in, came out with a 2 year degree, and most importantly 3 years of broadcast engineering experience. Got me right in the door at a commercial radio station right out of the Army. Still took me about 4 more years of moving every year to make any money, but that's just the way the broadcast business is.

And I may bust balls about the Air Force being lax, but they do take care of their people. I went to tech school at Lowry AFB and then was fortunate enough to be attached to the Air Force for my first assignment in Greece. My supervisor was a party-hard Air Force E-5, and honestly outside wearing a monkey suit it was like a civilian job.

If I had it all to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing. It was a huge springboard for me career-wise.

DT

Originally Posted by Claythan (Post 5758056)

I bet I could get laid in the air force...

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts (Post 5756950)

This was totally tongue in cheek. I assume you all know me well enough to know that, but just in case, let me be clear that I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who defend my freedoms.

Originally Posted by Bwana (Post 5757546)

It depends what you go into. If you go into something that will translate into a good career after you're out, It's well worth it. I had one buddy that fueled jets when he was in, worthless when he got out. My brother on the other hand, went into Hazmad and saftey, got his master degree while he was there on their dime and has done very very well because of it.

Originally Posted by Gonzo (Post 5758536)

You couldn't get laid in Saigon with a $100 bill pasted to your forhead.

Originally Posted by Claythan (Post 5758056)

I bet I could get laid in the air force...

Originally Posted by Skip Towne (Post 5758660)

You couldn't get in the Air Force. They have a test.

Originally Posted by Claythan (Post 5758665)

What's on it? I guarantee you I could get in the Air Force now that I'm not a fat, out-of-shape pussy anymore.

Originally Posted by Skip Towne (Post 5758673)

Prove it

Originally Posted by Claythan (Post 5758675)

Can I just waltz down there and take the test? I don't want to ****ing commit to anything.