why does everyone say the air force is better than the army?

Question

am not really sure which to join but the army seems like the types of jobs i like.

the army soldiers were very friendly when i spoke to them and it seemed like a more relaxed enviroment of people, i felt able to talk to them easier than the air force guys as they seemed a bit formal and to be honest a bit posh! am not sure which i should go for?

Answer 1

Where we are the army rule and we all think the navy are gay .Seriously choosing should not be based on other peoples opions as this will be your life .I found the army more of a fast track career with better opportunities for females with a higher chance of promo if you are good at the job.The army r the best though at sports,social life,functions the army rule

Answer 2

I was in the Army and spent a lot of time on a joint staff. I've worked with all the branches and can't say that one is better. There may be a branch that is better suited to you. And a multitude of jobs in each branch. Air Force gets pretty well taken care of, but promotions seem slower. Marines usually have tougher living conditions, but they tend to be intense people who do well in that environment. Army and Navy tend to be a bit in the middle of the two. And there's a lot of overlap. You can be a pilot in any of the services. You can be in the Army and drive a boat. You get the idea...

Here's a good place to start. Think about what you want to do after the military, because retirement will come some day or you'll just opt out when an enlistment runs out. Or something could happen where you can no longer be in. If you know what else you want to do with your life afterwards, you can go with the branch of service that will move you in that direction.

By the way, Top Gun was about Navy pilots for anyone who is confused.

Answer 3

Honestly it's ultimatly your decision but many people tell you the air force is better for one reason and one reason only and that is the QOL (quality of Life) The air force is the least moved of all the branches and their living quarters for enlisted as well as the families are some of the nicest in the world. The air force has an image of being lazy and high class layed back guys because they don't "work as hard" as the other branches. So your thought of the guys being a bit posh could very well be correct many are the rich kids that choice to please mommy and daddy by joining. And because they get a bit more spoiled compared to the other branches. The requirments to join also are a bit high then the Army.
I don't know what job you are looking at but you might want to consider the NAVY as well. I personally think it is one of the best branches. The work load is not as brutal and harsh as the marines and army but you do work hard. You get a real sence of the commitment you have made with out the constant forcing to stay in (right now Army has a high forced retention rate). Also it is a great way to see a lot of the world. The housing is not as good as the air force but ti's not as bad as the army.
Just remeber the recruiters are their to tell you what you want to hear. I advise trying to talk with some of the soldiers/Sailors/Airmen one on one and not relay totally ont he recruiter. Lord knows mine lied like crazy to get me to sign-up.
Ultimatly you need to go for what you think is gonna be the best fit for you, yes housing my be great but what's a great place to live if you have no friends or are not doing the job you like.

Good Luck and God Bless

Some up above said somethign about the job you get is garunteed in the AF and not in the other branches and that is not true. When you enlist you designate what you plan to do. Rarely do you not complete what you enlisted under

Answer 4

Well, check it out. . .
The USAF, aside from their 4 months tours, has a number of other perks. In fact, USAF personnel that go to the field with USA personnel draw additional pay for substandard living conditions. They are in the process of fielding a uniform that is non-deployable just cause it looks nice around base and have comparably swanky living areas. In that sense, it IS better if you want to learn a job, look nice and not spend too much time in the world's unsavory places. The Army cannot offer you much other than a delightful 12 month deployment to some of the world's most exotic locals and lots of fun in the mud when you are back stateside (assuming you are not working a desk job for the last).

Edit:
Oh, and do not expect to spend much time at sea or on an aircraft carrier, that would be the USN. Also, that bit about not knowing what your job will be in the Army is BS. Surprising that someone with 20+ years in would not know that. Almost without exception you enlist for an MOS in the Army. In other words, you know when you sign the paper. . . before you ever get to basic.

Answer 5

If you are looking for a service to join, think and research the Coast Guard as an alternative.
Air Force has higher standards than the Army does, but the Army will have more "jobs" avail to the everyday person. both services do our country proud its about personnal preferance and long term goals out side of your tour. Again think about the USCG it is a great alternative.

Answer 6

Everyone doesn't say that. The air force is better at the soft jobs most of the time. If you're looking for a relaxed environment, the air force does that far better than the army.

Answer 7

British Army - Live In A Ditch.

RAF - Rise Above The Rest!

To be honest, I'm bias towards the RAF as I'm a member of the ATC, but the quailites of life in the RAF are of a higher standard.

Some RAF officers (especially the High Brass) tend to be posh, as do high ranking officers of other forces. Though the RAF do have that posher tone...

But there isn't anything wrong with the Army, neither. The NCOs and privates may have the more stereotypical image of having a more 'Jack the Lad' and common personality, but a lot in the RAF are the same!

Answer 8

I can only speak from the UK angle, but you are right in saying the air force is more 'posh' - or to put it more accurately, the average level of education of individuals is higher in the air force than in the army... it has to be, because everything, from flying to aviation engineering, is so technically demanding. (That is not to say that the army does not have similar demands in their own technical/flying branches - but I'm talking overall.)
To give you some idea, in the days of National Service, to be trained as a radar technician in the RAF you had to have a minimum of a Higher National Certificate/Diploma (but preferably a degree), in an engineering/science/maths discipline. However, for National Service in the army you simply had to be physically fit. Today, you will find many RAF non commissioned members with higher technical qualifications, including degrees, and all commissioned officers have to be graduates.
Air force bases tend to be very pleasant places on which to live, and are usually situated in beautiful countryside. Incidentally, I don't think you would have any problems in making friends in an air force environment because you would be with a group of people like yourself, and something called 'Esprit de Corps' will be present. This is rarely experienced in civilian life; it links you very closely with your colleagues and with the service as an entity - and it will remain with you even when you return to civilian life.
So think very carefully what you want to do in the services and make sure you examine every aspect as closely as possible. Ask questions, speak to people who are in the forces, visit service bases (don't forget the Navy either!), read books by people who have served in the air force/army/ navy, and make sure you choose a service training that will help you in your career on returning to civilian life.
Anyway, if you join up here's wishing you good luck!

Answer 9

If you are just worried about havign an easy time - Go to College or work at a Mall.. If you want to make a SACRIFICE, then figure out what you want to do.. Joining a particular Military force on the basis of who has the nicest uniform, how nice the Recruiter (Sales man) or best food is a little silly.

All in all the Air Force are taken care of better than naybody else- or so it seems to me. But its more important to figure out what you want to do, remember, once your in - your in!

Answer 10

I was in the Army. The biggest advantage that I saw for people in the Air Force, was that the Air Force takes better care of their personnel. As a result, they get the job done better. Their leadership seems to be focused on accomplishing the mission, rather than covering their butt like the Army leadership does.