Husband is prior military (army) and he supports me in whatever I decide to do. Going to Iraq is intimidating but not unbearable personally but I have to think of my family,as well. I think it would be so awesome to serve for a few years, I am up for the challenge. I know that anything is possible but I guess I am just wondering the likelihood that I would get deployed to war. Recruiters are fantastic but, realisitically, they tell you what you want to hear to get you to sign on the dotted line. I want to make a well-informed decision and hear opinions from those that have no quotas to fill...
2006-07-13 06:20:51 · 15 answers · asked by ~*Angel*~ 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
You will go. At least you're not joining the Army.
2006-07-13 06:23:07 · answer #1 · answered by bretto24 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't look like the war in Iraq is ending any time soon, so I would think the chances of you ending up in Iraq are very high, especially if you receive your training in an area that is useful to operations there.
You need to take a look at your reasons for joining - many people do it for the job training, or college money, or veteran's benefits afterward - others do it because they believe it is your duty. If you're doing it for the first set of reasons, you need decide if your time away from your kids is worth the benefits. If you're doing it because you believe it's your responsibility as an American, then you have to go by your conscience and do what you think is right.
A big part of it is your kids, too. If you go to Iraq, there's a chance you might not come back - a pretty big chance with the ground war that the insurgents are forcing the troops into. Would your kids be OK growing up without you in their life?
It's not something you can take lightly, but I respect your right to make that decision either way. Only you can look at your heart and decide if the sacrifices are worth it.
2006-07-13 13:26:57 · answer #2 · answered by Swampkitty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's not much Air Force presence in Iraq. It's almost all Marine and Army forces, with some Naval Medical teams in there. Though, no matter what branch you join, just by becoming an officer you have a higher chance of deployment. You should try talking to some other AF officers and get their take on everything. Skip the recruiters. They just want their numbers. Go straight to the source.
2006-07-13 13:25:58 · answer #3 · answered by rocknrobin21 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, women don`t go into combat and the only Air Force people that do, could possibly be Security Police stopping an incursion onto a base.Your chances of going to Irag are about 1 in 1000, too many bases all over the world, AF does not need combat troops like Marines and Army.
2006-07-13 14:58:39 · answer #4 · answered by airpolicejohn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know where you all are getting your information that there isn't a large AF contingent in Iraq (and Afganistan). 40% of the AF has deployed to the middle east in the last 2 1/2 years. Many of us have seen combat as well. I spent 6 months of '05 in Baghdad and am going back again. You can almost be sure that as an AF member, you will deploy to either Afganistan or Iraq.
*AF deployements are going to 6 months or one year for some locations.
2006-07-13 13:36:00 · answer #5 · answered by Jay F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One cannot join the military under the presumption that he/she may or may not go to war. I was in the Army, and if you read the "Soldiers Creed" and can honestly say that it describes you and your beliefs then go for it and join. If not then don't, it would be a big mistake. Even though the "Creed" is an Army thing, it can be applied to any branch of service. Bottom line is, you have to be willing to die for your country.
Soldier Creed
I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.
2006-07-13 15:07:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A recruiter its not going to get you in as an officer first of all. And their job is to trying get you to sign in so they will tell you all kind of sweet things.You need to get in Air force ROTC to get in as an officer. If you go in chances are you will deploy not only to Irak or Afghanistan but a lot of different places. The good thing about the air force is that the deployments are actually shorter. Life is a heck of a lot easier in the air force than any of the other branches. I say go for it, if you dont like it get out. At least your family supports you.And you wont spend your life thinking what if.
2006-07-13 15:29:13 · answer #7 · answered by xadralix 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the global situation when you are done with all your training that you will be deployed in support of whatever global operations are at the time. You may not go to Iraq because of your lack of experience and also dependant on your squadron, but when you reach a permanent duty station and have been trained it is possible.
With that said, I have seen the ones deploying in my squadron are the more experienced ones. I haven't seen any butter bars while deployed but have seen a 1st lieutenants deployed in Spain and captains in Iraq, Kuwait and the surrounding areas. The younger officers in my squadron have yet to deploy and I've seen older officers in other squadrons that haven't deployed either. Just try to find out more information on job positions and their deployment rate.
BTW, I have to disagree with the person who said there is not much Air Force presence in Iraq "We have Air Bases through out Iraq and there is a constant rotation in my squadron, and as a flying crew chief we flew through a few bases in and out and have ground crew at those locations"
2006-07-13 13:27:23 · answer #8 · answered by pululu81 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your decision to join the Air Force should be regardless of where you will be deployed. If it's a show stopper, then don't join.
If it doesn't matter, check out the link for more information on becoming an officer in the Air Force.
2006-07-13 13:49:24 · answer #9 · answered by place_desjardins 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am prior AF and would say if you are going to join then the AF is the way to go for your situation. Many of the jobs can be done in the states and overseas are still for the most part out of harms way. I would say it depends on what your job would be on whether or not you go to Iraq.
2006-07-13 13:24:06 · answer #10 · answered by uke9999 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on your job and unit. No one can give you an accurate answer at this point. Air Force deployments are 3 months long.
2006-07-13 13:38:55 · answer #11 · answered by DOOM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋