What do you think about enlisting in the Air Force?

[jlscorpio]

I'm a 17 yr enlisted man. It's what you make of it. It's changed A LOT since I came in. It's not a bad living, just use all the benefits (college) while you're in. Get yours. It definately has the best living conditions/Quality of Life of all branches.

[Otter]

Young Jenson in a military environment, I'd pay to be a fly on the wall when your idealism meets the steel toed boot of "shut the **** up and do what your told".

Good luck BTW, just found the contrast in philosophy amusing.

[Donger]

I saw a few days ago that officers make something like $90,000/year. I presume that is a major or higher. Does anyone know?

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by Donger

I saw a few days ago that officers make something like $90,000/year. I presume that is a major or higher. Does anyone know?

You can look up the pay scales on line. My friend, IIRC, as an 0-4 with over 14 years active duty makes around $75K, but with all the extras, including command level housing with all expenses paid, plus free health care, it's like he's making well over $100,000.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by frazod

You can look up the pay scales on line. My friend, IIRC, as an 0-4 with over 14 years active duty makes around $75K, but with all the extras, including command level housing with all expenses paid, plus free health care, it's like he's making well over $100,000.

That's not too shabby.

[BigEd]

I have had the honor of serving my country in the Air Force for the past 22 years. I am now a CMSgt and serve as the Pacific Air Forces Fire Chief. I am currently living in Hawaii and I have never gone a day with regret on the decision I made. There are a lot of benefits of serving in the USAF as an enlisted Airman. The pay has risen considerably and the entitlements are outstanding (free medical/dental, free housing, free college, etc.). The key to being enlisted is the job that you receive. If you are truly interested, please drop me an email at [email protected] and I will answer all of your questions.

[Radar Chief]

After I’d been stationed in Germany for a while I made my first trip back to Rhein Main AFB to shop at the PX there when I noticed the gate guard was smiling. I thought, “WTF is his problem?”
You never saw that going onto an Army post. No one there was happy to be pulling gate guard. Point of the story is, the soldiers I met that were in the Air Force were generally happier than the soldiers I met in the Army.
Make sure you sign up for a good job, one that translates to a job in the civilian world, and go for it. Get some duty overseas. It’ll be an eye opening experience, I guarantee.

[Pitt Gorilla]

My nephew graduated from the academy and is still in the AF. He seems to enjoy what he does.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Make sure you sign up for a good job, one that translates to a job in the civilian world, and go for it. Get some duty overseas. It’ll be an eye opening experience, I guarantee.

Yeah....don't be like me. I was a Radar operator in the Air Force....and now I don't do anything that resembles it.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by pestilenceaf23

Yeah....don't be like me. I was a Radar operator in the Air Force....and now I don't do anything that resembles it.

I’ve got an old high school chum that spent 6 years in the Army as a “gun bunny”, 11B Infantry. After he’d spent all his bonus money he got out with nothing more than the GI Bill money and some crazy memories.

[Frazod]

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.

[bevischief]

Originally Posted by frazod

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.

That is the truth...

[Skip Towne]

I know they pay a lot beter now and the benefits are considerable. No rent or utilities, no food costs. I've seen guys gamble away their whole paycheck on payday and still make it to the next one.

[shitgoose]

My dad spent 12 years active duty AF and 18 years full time Kansas Air National Guard.

He retired with a nice pension and benefits at the ripe age of 48. His stories from his 3 years at Clark AFB in the Philippines and 2 years in Germany back in the late 70's were enough to make me want join when I was younger.

Could never talk myself into signing 6 years of my life away though.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by shitgoose

My dad spent 12 years active duty AF and 18 years full time Kansas Air National Guard.

He retired with a nice pension and benefits at the ripe age of 48. His stories from his 3 years at Clark AFB in the Philippines and 2 years in Germany back in the late 70's were enough to make me want join when I was younger.

Could never talk myself into signing 6 years of my life away though.

I know, it sounds like a lot when you look at it that way doesn’t it.
But to get any kind of a good job you’re going to have to sign for 4-6 years.
There’s a reason they offer grunts 2 year commitments.