I wish someone would have told me before I joined that...?

Question

My husband is about to join the air force and we want to make sure we do it "right".

Answer 1

Here is a answer from a x navy person i retired a e-5 for those of u that dont know what that is it is a 2nd class petty officer, tell him to read the fine print, make sure if they say there are sending him to school that they are sending him right after boot camp, also tell him to get a rate with a enlistment bonus, he gets it after he reports to his first duty station, not after boot camp but the jobs with the bonuses are good, for another reason if he decides to re enlist the bonus will be higher than other rates that dont have it. but mainly read over that contract before you sign 4 good years of your life away. oh and another good thing about air force your pretty much getting shore duty hopefully in the united states. Trust me it was hard enough to spend 8 months away from my wife at a time i hated it air force is a good way to go than any other service.

Answer 2

Read, think, and read some more and then question as others here have advised.

I keep hearing, "bring home the troops." The projected congressional
budget for military operations in Iraq is $368 billion for the years 2007
to 2016. Six to fourteen "enduring bases" are being built in Iraq depending upon the source. We hear one thing, the practice might be another.

At the time I served four years in the AF, you went where and worked what was assigned, no choice of duty unless one had unique qualifications. I spent 3.5 years on a mountain top, 25 miles to the closest town which had a few bars, a drugstore, and 1 movie theatre open weekends.

The small base had a basketball court, and the PX-- or base exchange-- was a closet with a few candy bars. That was the total amenities. No TV,
entertainment, or matters of interest.

AAhhhhh, I had the GI Bill for school. First two years I studied in So. Cal. and then moved to San Francisco. I worked for 18 months before returning to university study. The US Gov. said, "Sorry. You interrupted your study for more than a year. No more G.I. Bill." I worked two jobs while attending university full-time to get a degree. Working two jobs does not allow all that much time for actual study. Instead of fighting "Shitty Hall," I vowed to complete a degree anyway and my way. I relate this to you so that you:

Answer 3

Make sure he picks a job he really believes he will enjoy. Nobody wants a job they hate, but this is one he can't just quit. Depending on his career choice, he might not be as likely to get sent to Iraq, my husband hasn't had to go and probably won't. There are alot of different jobs, people just assume EVERYONE has to go, but there are still alot of things that have to be done IN the USA. Be prepared to have to move, but like I said before, depending on his career it might not be all the time. Me and my husband have been at each base for 3-4 years.

Answer 4

One thing my boyfriend said:

He went in and told them right away that he "just wanted to serve his country." At the time, he would have joined up for a box of donuts and a poke in the eye. But he ended up having serious regrets about that, because they gave him the cheapest benefit package and G.I. bill they could have possibly thrown at him. After he left, he found that he wanted to go to college after all, and his G.I. bill was very insufficient.

When talking to the recruiter, I would suggest that your husband act very reluctant about the decision. Say "Well... I'm thinking about it. I hear the benefits are really good, and I really need the money for college." Things like that, and hope that they offer him some great stuff. Good luck!

Answer 5

What's the question? You do it "right" just like anything else you would sign. Read the contract and ensure that you understand what the contract says. I would suggest searching the web for some military sites and start looking now for spousal support groups. You can check out www.military.com and register for free. They have some pretty good Q&A sections, and you can make some good contacts.

Thanks for thinking of the military, and good luck.

Answer 6

I read in a magazine somewhere that you can join for 3 years before deciding if that's what you want.

Answer 7

Just be sure that you and he read and understand every document that is presented to you.

Answer 8

Your question makes no sense

Answer 9

Tell him to stay in school, or he will go to Iraq...J. Kerry