Author Topic: Thinking about joining the air force (Read 2666 times)

ispar · « **Reply #60 on:** February 15, 2002, 11:42:48 PM »

My advice is to get as much information as you can from as many sources as you can. Get the pro-military stuff, get the anti-military stuff, and balance them. Make sure it's right for you. Few things to consider -

First, remember that there is a definite possibility that you will be involved in combat operations in the future if you join. I understand you are joining in part for educational benefits? Make sure you are comfortable with the fact that you may actually be involved in combat. There are lots of people that sign up with no intention or thought of ever being involved. Silly them, IMO.

Second, WRT to educational benefits, be careful. Most recruits do not get most of the GI benefits that they are "promised" by the military. They'll tell you the maximum you can get, and act as if it's common for people to get these maximum benefits. If you're only after educational benefits or apprenticeship stuff, there are far better places to find it.

Third, related to number two, NEVER trust a recruiter. Treat them as you would a used car salesman.

Fourth, remember that military is interested in you as part of a machine whose intention is to fight wars, and could care less about you as a person. They'll feed you, give you a place to sleep, and try to keep you from getting killed, but they're going to do as little for you as they possibly can. Help yourself, and listen to the guys with experience to get the good jobs or get what you need.

To say anymore would start delving into politics, and I certainly can't give practical advice about what to do in the military itself. Good luck with whatever decision you make, and remember that it's a huge one. You want to be as sure about this as anything you have ever been in your life. It'll definitely affect your life in the future.

Wotan · « **Reply #61 on:** February 15, 2002, 11:54:52 PM »

USS Jacksonville 699 out of Norfolk. We were in the ship yards arfter shock trials in portsmouth when I got there in '88(? if I remeber correct). I rode OK city to finish my qual. And did various runs on other boats while we got refit. I was a Sonar tech.

Pongo · « **Reply #62 on:** February 16, 2002, 12:44:41 AM »

"How many people did you have sleeping around you who have never been exposed to any mechanism beyong a donkey, barely understand the language and who's fathers bought them wifes while they served in the army?

miko"

lol
hes not in any danger of joinging the russian army any day soon
I think lnyz and a few other of our russian apologist friends should do a tour or two though for the motherland..

batdog · « **Reply #63 on:** February 16, 2002, 01:04:21 AM »

Ispar.... wtf are you talking about. I got all my GI benifits and also a "kicker" that added up to a good sum at that time. You'll get your benifits. Just make sure you actualy sign up for them.

xBAT

-ammo- · « **Reply #64 on:** February 16, 2002, 09:16:17 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by ispar

Second, WRT to educational benefits, be careful. Most recruits do not get most of the GI benefits that they are "promised" by the military. They'll tell you the maximum you can get, and act as if it's common for people to get these maximum benefits. If you're only after educational benefits or apprenticeship stuff, there are far better places to find it.

Fourth, remember that military is interested in you as part of a machine whose intention is to fight wars, and could care less about you as a person. They'll feed you, give you a place to sleep, and try to keep you from getting killed, but they're going to do as little for you as they possibly can. Help yourself, and listen to the guys with experience to get the good jobs or get what you need.

Thats not true ISPAR. If you want the GI Bill, you get the GI Bill. In addition you get tuition assitance which is just a benefit for everyone in the military. With the GI Bill, you must opt and sign up for it in Basic training. You can't wait till later. You pay in $100 a month for 12 months, and can draw on it any time. You have to use torward school tuition, and you are granted $22,500 total. Tuition assistance cna be drawn at any time torward classes, It is 75% or %80 (can't remember) of books and tuition fees payed for by the armed forces.

What you say about an individual issome sort of machine to be used and abused is not correct. The Air force provides alot of incentives and benefits that help the member along. All kinds of counseling, a fair repoirting system. An Inspector General that has an open door policy if you think you are being treated unfairly. Great health care for you and your dependants. An assignment system that benmds over backwards to give the member his/her assignment of preference. However its true that the mission is first.

Good advise on learning all you can and talking with those that know.

Sikboy · « **Reply #65 on:** February 16, 2002, 09:18:48 AM »

I think Ispar just wants to make sure that Cody signs up for things like the Army (or Navy or Airfarce) college fund AND the GI bill. I didn't get the College fund, which turned out to be a mistake on my part.

-Sikboy

Samm · « **Reply #66 on:** February 16, 2002, 09:49:12 AM »

Choosing which branch of service really boils down to what do you want to get out of the service . The USAF is comfortable cushy and they treat you like a civilian . The Marines still has a real basic training (unlike the new army) and it's something you can be proud of and they do have a sense of fraternity that the other branches lack, but they have no special forces and they are the usn's stepchild . The army's basic training is gender intergrated now so they have to treat everyone like women . But if you are looking for adventure and huah jobs, painting yourself green and jumping out of planes with weapons you're not allowed to talk about etc., then the army is the service to join . I can't think of any reason to join the navy as enlisted unless your goal is to be a seal . I just can't imagine having a bunk for a home everyday after work . As for college money they are all the same depending on MOS . I recomend talking to recruiters from each branch, and keep in mind that they are salesmen .

ispar · « **Reply #67 on:** February 16, 2002, 12:27:55 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by -ammo-

Thats not true ISPAR. If you want the GI Bill, you get the GI Bill. In addition you get tuition assitance which is just a benefit for everyone in the military. With the GI Bill, you must opt and sign up for it in Basic training. You can't wait till later. You pay in $100 a month for 12 months, and can draw on it any time. You have to use torward school tuition, and you are granted $22,500 total. Tuition assistance cna be drawn at any time torward classes, It is 75% or %80 (can't remember) of books and tuition fees payed for by the armed forces.

What you say about an individual issome sort of machine to be used and abused is not correct. The Air force provides alot of incentives and benefits that help the member along. All kinds of counseling, a fair repoirting system. An Inspector General that has an open door policy if you think you are being treated unfairly. Great health care for you and your dependants. An assignment system that benmds over backwards to give the member his/her assignment of preference. However its true that the mission is first.

Good advise on learning all you can and talking with those that know.

Sikboy has it right... most people don't get signed up for both, because nobody tells them that they can. That's why you talk to the guys that know. Also, as I understand it, you have to give the fund $2000 out of your own pocket first, correct? I don't exactly remember.

Sorry about the fourth item, there was a bit too much of my political stance coming out there. I should have left it with the statement that the mission and goals are going to come before you and what you want, and to remember that you have to find out what you can do within the system to get what you want. Sitting around and hoping someone notices you isn't going to do much good, eh? So once again, talk to the vets.

And it's good to see that you aren't making such a huge decision on a knee jerk

. I sure there are a lot of folks who signed up right after 9/11 who are regretting that decision now.

-ammo- · « **Reply #68 on:** February 16, 2002, 05:01:40 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Samm
Choosing which branch of service really boils down to what do you want to get out of the service . The USAF is comfortable cushy and they treat you like a civilian .

LO, If you end up with any AFSC with 2 in the prefix (ie..2W051) I can assure you will have some tent time in a middle eastern country and chewing on some MRE's. Hardly being treated like a civilian. However there are certain jobs that will not neccesarily get your treted like a civilian..but you will work right next to them. You still wear the green or blue uniform, and are subject to the same regs as the combat oriented jobs.

The AF is completely different from the army, navy/marines. Whole differrent type of fruit.

Sikboy · « **Reply #69 on:** February 16, 2002, 06:14:56 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by -ammo-

The AF is completely different from the army, navy/marines. Whole differrent type of fruit.

Fruit being the operative word here:p

-Sikboy

Sandman · « **Reply #70 on:** February 16, 2002, 06:39:31 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Samm
... I can't think of any reason to join the navy as enlisted unless your goal is to be a seal . I just can't imagine having a bunk for a home everyday after work.

The sea time is hard to do. Packing up and leaving your family for six months (minimum) sucks out loud. I did it three times before I got out.

SAPO · « **Reply #71 on:** February 16, 2002, 10:26:50 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Samm
I can't think of any reason to join the navy as enlisted unless your goal is to be a seal . I just can't imagine having a bunk for a home everyday after work .

Interesting, I spent 4 1/2 year in the Navy on submarines, and never went home to a bunk after work. I always went home to my house. Maybe there is some weird Navy that makes you do this, not the US Navy nowadays. Hell, enlisted guys in the Navy get maid service in their "barracks" which resemble college dorm rooms.

SAPO · « **Reply #72 on:** February 16, 2002, 10:30:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sikboy
I think Ispar just wants to make sure that Cody signs up for things like the Army (or Navy or Airfarce) college fund AND the GI bill. I didn't get the College fund, which turned out to be a mistake on my part.

Cody, take the bonuses since your from TX. The college fund will take money out of your pocket. The college funds kick in after the GI Bill, but TX passed the Hazelwood act that pays for your college after you use up your GI Bill. Take the cash!

SAPO · « **Reply #73 on:** February 16, 2002, 10:32:25 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Wotan
USS Jacksonville 699 out of Norfolk. We were in the ship yards arfter shock trials in portsmouth when I got there in '88(? if I remeber correct). I rode OK city to finish my qual. And did various runs on other boats while we got refit. I was a Sonar tech.

USS Norfolk 714, out of Norfolk 1996-2001

I was an ELT

Samm · « **Reply #74 on:** February 16, 2002, 11:05:10 PM »

You swam home everyday ? Looks like sandman was in that wierd navy, as was my dad for 20 years . But I'm sure a lot depends on your MOS .