Poll: Enlist in U.S. Air force?

[Gummiente]

here in Wainwright

OMFG.... you live in Wainwright??!! I spent a lot of time in that place back when I was posted in Calgary. Seemed like every other week we were up there running around the bush, digging holes, shooting at things, getting hammered in our off hours at the Park Hotel... ah, memories.

[Psycluded]

I'll cash in on the moving thing.. *tosses *

I've been in the Air Force for 5 years and aside from my training bases (Lackland and Keesler), I've been stuck here at Maxwell-Gunter AFB the whole time. Gunter, specifically OSSG, is considered by a lot of NCO's and SNCO's as the, "perfect retirement assignment". So, we get a LOT of FIIGMO sergeants and wanna-be-chiefs who love stepping on Airmen to get where they want to be. A lot of the programmers here have been here 10+ years, and the only way they could leave is to pull out a Base of Preference move. (only one per term of enlistment served!)

But then again, I also know a few C-5 Loadmasters, as it was my target career field when I joined. (I knew I shoulda blown the electronics part of the ASVAB!) Most of them are stationed at Charleston AFB, and have been their entire careers. The difference is that they're deploying CONSTANTLY. Basically the way the airlift deployments work, since they are basically stationed here, there are X many planes in queue on the tarmac. When an order to move beans and bullets and people comes in, they send however many planes are neccessary to do it, and everyone else moves up in the queue. When it's your turn, you go. The C-130's are a little different, as they -do- deploy to overseas locations and do air-drops, both of supplies AND special forces. C-17s are sort of the hybrid breed, they do everything. Right now their mission is mostly the supply chain into and out of Bagram AFB in Afghanistan, due to their ability to get on the ground, unload and be in the air in 10 minutes.

Groundcrew is where I see you fitting in better. Go with ordinance or some such on one of the newer airframes (F-22!) and really enjoy life. They'll be training here in the US for another year before they even think about deploying them.

[BuzZz]

here in Wainwright

OMFG.... you live in Wainwright??!! I spent a lot of time in that place back when I was posted in Calgary. Seemed like every other week we were up there running around the bush, digging holes, shooting at things, getting hammered in our off hours at the Park Hotel... ah, memories.

I figured you probably had....I think every Canadian Soldier ends up here sooner or later. Nothing like hanging out at The Park on the weekend and watching Worm fights... or listening to artillary all night. The best is when the Commados do thier manhunt training.... watching those guys run around town trying to not be seen is entertaining as hell. They really like it when you spot them and start pionting and yelling... them boys can move when they've been spotted....

[ronboskz650sr]

Here's my experience as an Air Force officer. In the higher enlisted ranks, I believe these things will apply. First a question. What are your career aspirations? This can make a big difference on your ability to stay in one location. My personal experience, and that of many of my peers, is that staying in one spot is possible, if you are willing to sacrifice your career. I can't think of one single person in my career field, or related enlisted ones, who made it to retirment by staying longer than 5 years at one base. I know there are exceptions, but generally "homesteading" is frowned upon for career Air force. I, for example, stayed 9 years at a base in New York that eventually closed shortly after I left. During that time, I was navigator, instructor navigator, evaluator navigator, radar navigator, instructor/evaluator radar navigator, Bomb Nav taget study specialist, operations planning and satellite imagery analyst during Desert Storm, and Flight commander. I was offerd a positon at Castle AFB to instruct new aviators, and turned it down to stay put. I believe this was the "error " that killed my career. I came to Whiteman AFB to develop the bombing and navigation academic curriculum for the B2 stealth bomber pilots. I worked closely with private contractors, and developed simulations, trainers, and textbook materials still in use. NONE OF THIS WAS ENOUGH TO PRESERVE MY CAREER. In the end, I was passed over for promotion twice and ejected with a year's base pay. Because I accepted a "regular" commission (career AF), I was rendered ineligible for reserve officer status, because I separated for non-promotion. Have a nice life. As my commanders analyzed my record, they chalked it up to staying in New york too long. That simple. It just looked bad to the promotion board, who sees your folder for 45 seconds and puts in one pile or the other. Am I bitter? Yes. Would I do it the same way again? Yes. My kids had their dad for the maximum possible time during critical development stages in their lives, and it shows in the adults they became. I made a difference while I was in, as well. I even got a contract changed, removing a loophole, and holding contractors to their time schedules. So...If you want to stay put, it can be done...Only you can decide if the trade-off fits your goals.

[FattyJ]

...i would sign up in a heart beat...but i refuse to fight for gw. thats the only thing holding me back.

So sign up, and by the time you're even trained to DO a job, you'll be electing a new president.

callin me out?

ive tried many times to talk my wife into it...(im in sales it should be easy right) but shes not hearing me...and we are pregnant and expecting anyday now...so maybe after we get through the first year of my daughters i may be able to talk again...


what age do they stop acepting for the marine core?

I think you can be up to 27 years old to enlist. But I think there is also waivers...

[Psycluded]

31 for the Air Force, and older with a waiver.

[jmillheiser]

How much if any college do you have? If you are close to finishing you might consider getting your degree done and going the officer route.

Strange as it may sound ROTC is still an option for you if you have 2 or less years left on a degree.

I was in ROTC last time I was in college. I was a "non-tradional" student being 3 years along on my BS at the age of 23. Yet I was the youngest person in my class (just my class not the entire detachment). Average age in this class of about 12 people was 26 with most of em being former NCOs going the officer route.

[rubthebuddha]

As a married father of three how can you afford to go in the Airforce? Traditionally the military doesn't pay jack s---. I was in the Army 89-92 and the pay was pitiful. Still is apparently since I hear since so many military families are on welfare. Maybe the Airforce pay is different (those guys always did have better food, nicer barracks, etc.)

Aside from the financial side of things, there are a lot of benefits to military service (where else can you work for only 20 years and get a retirement?)

[rubthebuddha]

...i would sign up in a heart beat...but i refuse to fight for gw. thats the only thing holding me back.

So sign up, and by the time you're even trained to DO a job, you'll be electing a new president.

Yeah but the new president will probably be another Bush (Jeb)!

[Scott58]

I was in the USAF from 76-82. One of the best things i ever did. Would have stayed in if they'd of left me in europe. You will see and experience more things then you ever could have otherwise.