Air Force Life?

Question

I'm just curious on how the Air Force life is, from BMT, to starting Technical Training. I've been to a recruiter, talked to him, he wasn't too informative he just kept showing me pictures of different planes, and he told me what he did, which was some kind of job where he would work with satellites. I'm interested in the Aerial Gunner job the most, and/or Military Police. The whole kind of Special Forces job would be my ideal job, though I don't think im in the physical/mental shape for it right now. I'm not heavy, but a little underweight, other then that, strong & willing to do my best. Does anyone know about those 2 jobs? Also after talking with the recruiter he told me I had to take a practice ASVAB, so I did on this computer that he had, and sadly I failed shy of like 4~5 Q's. I went to pickup the ASVAB Study guide he suggested me after, and i've been studying it since off & on. On base what's it like? Places to meet people, new friends and stuff? Any info is appreciated! Thanks

Answer 1

I've been in both the Army (helicopter crew-chief and door gunner) and the Air Force (F-15 mechanic). I have to say that once you get past the training phase, Air Force living is closer to civilian life than any other service, except perhaps the Coast Guard, which falls under Dept. of the Interior rather than Dept. of Defense.

Aerial Gunner can be a fun job, but really does not offer much in the career-building arena. Not much in the civilian world you would qualify for afterwards. I'd try some sort of aircraft maintenance and try to cross-train with a secondary AFCS (job title) for Aerial Gunner.

If you decide to pursue, you may end up on a Spectre Gun ship and get stationed at Hurlbert Air Field in Florida. That's a fun location at Destin beach (next to Eglin AFB where I was stationed).

Answer 2

Well I have been in the Navy for 15+ years and while I work in an aviation rating, I am not a pilot. Contrary to popular belief, the USN has more aircraft than the USAF, so I would think there are more opportunites there. Especially if you want something more than just straight and level flight. Plus all pilots can land on a runway, only Navy/Marine Aviators can land on ships. I can tell you that base living on a USAF base is way better than a USN base in my experiences. But the USAF has more money to dump there as they do not have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to keep ships at sea. Shipboard life in my opinion is not that bad, it is what you make of like most things in life. You would get to travel in both services, but I would guess you would see more with the USN vice the USAF. Beneies and pay are the same. In talking with USAF personnel, I would say that advancement in the Navy is quicker in the enlisted ranks. Boot camp was a breeze, as long as you listen and do what you are told you will not have any issues. The one thing I always hated about the USAF is they are so specialized and you have to get so many people involved to do one simple job. I am obviously partial to the Navy, but I do not think you can go wrong with either one. The best thing to do is go take the ASVAB and then talk to each of the recruiters and see what they have to offer and then make you decision. And yes, there are honest recruiters out there. Every word mine told me was true!

Answer 3

My husband is in the Air Force and loves it! He got a very high score on the ASVAB and got a list of really good jobs, he picked his job and thats what you HAVE to do, don't let the recruiter do it for you or you'll be miserable, make sure your going to do what you want! my husband is an avionics technician, basically he fixes things on the plane and he's really good at his job, basically what i'm trying to say is like if you say you want to work in a hospital and they say "ok" well you have to remember that even hospitals need janitors and you could be one for 4 years if your not careful, my husband has been to turkey, afganistan and diego garcia so far, we are stationed in charleston SC right now and will probably go overseas when we get stationed again, the AF bases are the best in the military, everyone even has a Golf course! the housing and dorms are the best and so is the technology, you'll meet PLENTY of people, when you get deployed you'll get to see the world, the Air Force has the shortest basic training, you will go to San Antonio for it, tech school depends because it depend what your job is, my husband was in tech for 6 months, Good Luck! thanks for serving!

Answer 4

Well, my husband retired from the Air Force back in 1998, and spent the first six years of his career in Security Forces. He later cross-trained into Maintenance (he said he got tired of walking around and watching planes get old when he was SP), where he spent the rest of his career.

He chose the Air Force because his father, who had done twenty-odd years in the Army, told him the Air Force offered a better quality of life to its service members. Having been wed to a soldier in my first marriage, I must agree--the housing is better and just the overall ambiance is different.

I'd try to see if you can talk with another recruiter who will answer your specific questions.

Answer 5

All the above replies are pretty much on the mark, AFwife is really telling you the truth..my son has joined his 1st duty station with the USAF and is having a ball.

IF you can get the text book showing the ASVAB tests, and really practice on that a lot......the better score you get the better job you will have.

As you have Internet access, you will once you have your results for the ASVAB be able to go on line, see what you qualify for, again like AFWife said DO NOT let them pick, all of them have good points and bad points job wise, but look for something that gives you a GOOD job outside of military life. The Air Force site gives you length of training, where it is and then where you can GO for your 1st duty station............and a pretty detailed description of what you do in that job............its an excellent site and really study it hard, then return to your recruiter with a list of about 4 / 5 that you REALLY could live with.............If you pick police then you can pretty much go right away, they are ALWAYS hunting for police..............but remember the AF is one of the few that allow you to cross train, DO NOT repeat DO NOT go open, everyone that went open with my son got FOOD or POLICE

Answer 6

Your ASVAB scores need to come up or this is all for naught. The SP (Security Police) can have many jobs around the base. Don't know about the Gunner job, but I do know the bombers go on very long flights. Boredom will be your biggest problem. You will be on the flight line, which is hot, or very cold, dirty, and extremely noisy. As an SP you will have to stand for long durations. I was tech control, so I wouldn't have wanted to have either of those jobs.
On base there are tons of things to do, you will meet a lot of people through the dorm and through work. There are numerous sports teams, bowling alleys, tennis courts, marina's, golf courses, movie theaters and much more. It's quite a town unto itself.

Answer 7

I can't agree that the AF always has the best facilities. Most of the time I had my own room and great ammeneties. Our cafeteria had great food. my base in Japan had 4 swimming pools and 2 big gyms. Every base can vary from service to service. I will say one of the best things about Navy bases are the locations. 95% of our bases are near the ocean instead of in the middle of the desert. Do not automatically assume every other branch of the military sucks just because someone has that opinion. BY THE WAY, I WAS NAVY

Answer 8

Just spend some real time studying for the ASVAB, 1 hour a night. There are lots of young eligible people to meet on base and in training.