what are some pros and cons of joining the USAF?

Question

I have already decided that after H-S graduation I am joining the Air Force but i would like to know from people who are in the AF about the pros and cons of joining. Besides the obivious like going to war blah blah blah

Answer 1

Not in the AF, but am in the Navy for the past 10 years.

The pros of joining the Air Force is that, you have a really easy and laid back job. Won't lie to you. The basic training (know known as BLT Basic Leadership training) for air force enlistment is also SOOOO very easy. You have to run 2 miles to pass and in order to join. How difficult is that? as in any branch of the military, you can enjoy traveling the world on the miltary expense, and you can meet new and interesting people. People who will become apart of your family, and when in times of need they'll always be there for you. There is no such thing as an enemy in the military, you may not like someone, but they'll always be on your back for your well being. Also you don't have to worry about housing, insurance or any of that, its all covered for, if you decide to buy a house, the AF will finance your house, and you also get very decent rates. I just bought a house with about 5.87% interest rates, when the average rate right now is over six. There are perks, like being able to go to theme parks for free, or very discounted prices.

The con's of being in any service branch is being away from your intermediate families for lengths of time. Thats about it, and well, working 8-5. sometimes training goes a little over, but i'm sure you'll be able to do it.

Take the ASVAB test, to see what you score, you'll have a lot more options then.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me.

I'm not a recruiter for the USAF, but I can help you with anything general.

Answer 2

I am really interested in how all these people who say they are not in the Air Force can tell you anything about it. Only the people in the Air Force can give you the best answer. All the other branches think that we don't work, or that we have easy jobs. Not putting down the other branches, but they really don't know everything we do. Just like we don't know everything they do.

Pros of the USAF: Travel the world, meet friends that will last a lifetime, experiences that most people will never have, job security, steady paycheck, all the benefits, etc...

Cons of the USAF: You miss being home for some holidays, you can't always take your family with you if you get deployed and in certain jobs you can't even tell them where you are going, what you will be doing, or when you will be back, sometimes the officers can be a real pain in the ***.

In my opinion the pros outweigh the cons.

Answer 3

It depends on what you end up as in the USAF. The US Air Force, in comparison with the other services, has perhaps the best forms of welfare (accommodations, service pay, medical care, etc).

It is also largely a very technical branch, in which a lot of technology is involved. Expect some expectations to know certain things you have never had hands-on experience or training before. IT is very much integrated into the Air Force life.

You may or may not move around that much, but its all dependent on your individual squadron and your MOS but its a great branch if you are keen on technologies and stuffs like that.

And no, doesn't mean you are in the military means that you are going to a conflict zone, that's just rubbish. The basic training should not be too tough for anyone, and it's meant to build you up initially (physically and mentally). Of course, in comparison with other branches, ours might seem like a cakewalk to them, but AF personnel are not expected to slug it out in the fields (unless you are a AF SOCOM operator or a Pararescue PJ, then its a different story).

Answer 4

Be sure you pick a good job career you would like to get into prior to enlistment and get a written agreement from your recruiting Officer. After basic training and advanced individual training you will have lots of oppertunities to travel and beginning to really enjoy yourself. The U.S. Army also gives you real oppertunities to advace yourself such as picking a career you might want. I spent 27 years in the Army starting at 17 years of age, Unfortunately, I took what was offered and ended up as an infantryman in The Korean War, and when Vietnam came along I had 3 years over there but really I enjoyed it, I also married and raised a family and used the army education to help get some college degrees. The pros & cons are good training lots of fun but sometime sorrow when I had several buddies killed or badly injured during war. I think you are getting into a good field whether or not you decide to make this a career. Good luck kid and I wish you the best in whatever you try.

Answer 5

For some thing it is valued at: I consider your husband will have to comply with his dream (is not that what lifestyles's approximately?). If his ardour is to be a pilot, becoming a member of the Airforce is how you can pass. As for the MBA, I'm no longer announcing it is a dangerous transfer, however MBAs are just about a dime a dozen nowadays (finance probably a greater option to pass if he determined to not become a member of the airforce), and I recognise plenty of folks who maintain an MBA who are not able to get a task both. Over the beyond five-10 years many firms have downsized core and higher leadership leaving many folks overqualified and out within the bloodless. Pros of becoming a member of the airforce: Invaluable coaching that relevant in your husband's dream. Nice payoff ultimately as airline pilots make well cash. Many corporations importance the airforce heritage for the schooling bought and the field instilled. Cons: Time committment, little pay, hazard of dying if he is going to fight.

Answer 6

Joining any branch of the military is good. I wouldn't say that one is better than the other. They all have different roles to play. Deployments in the Air Force are considerably shorter and the quality of life is a lot higher than the other branches. Basic training is extremely easy as well. On the other hand, the Air Force doesn't garner the respect that the other services do. Good luck.

Answer 7

everyones pros and cons are different. But the number 1 pro would be your selection of jobs within the Air Force. My son is joining the Army, but looked into the AF and for what he wants to do, he would get better education in this field in the Army.

Answer 8

Five years in the Air Force, here it goes

Pros: Better living conditions, great benefits, great job experience, easy way to rack up college credits (AF schools, CLEPS, and off duty classes-100% tuition assistance), great assignments, great people, the smarter of armed forces

Cons: It's still the military and every military branch has it's cons, but the education benefits alone, it's definatly the best branch.

I have enjoyed it, going for retirement, hopefully to have 4 degrees by then.

Answer 9

I personally want to start of by thanking you.

Back to business, I have talked to some good friends who were in the air force and they said they liked it allot. 1. The Air Force treats it's people THE BEST out of any service during and after they are out of active duty. Very good housing and good pay. Very safe and very flexible.

My friend was a pilot, he said he would spend 2 months away flying supplies into Saudi Arabia(during desert shield) and then come back for a month or two. (he retired 5-7 years ago as a kernel, maybe that had something to do with it :)

Answer 10

you couldn't ask for a better area in the military service. My deceased husband served 31 years faithfully in the US AF. He had the highest decoration as a Vet of Vietnam War area and Korea. He loved the service in the USAF. I think the pros' are many. Great people to work with, highly educational backgrounds. Access to lot's of benefits such as housing, health care insurance, hospital benefits, commissary and shopette access, air plane flights for service men and women for less than # 40.00 if it's is still this way? You get to see different places in this world. Just to say a few .