General Air Force questions?

Question

My boyfriend of 2.5 years is seriously considering enlisting in the Air Force; I'm having a very hard time dealing with his decision, but I believe much of that is due to my lack of knowledge of military life. From what I understand, he is looking to enlist for 2 years & he is hoping that his test scores will allow him to get a job that would translate well to civilian life. Any suggestions?

Basically, I want to know any details anyone can give me about the Air Force!

I really want to know about deployment & moving around. I'm currently in nursing school & we are not getting married until after I graduate (in 2 years), so I cannot & will not move around with him while he is enlisted. How exactly does all of that work? He is hoping to go to the base that is closest to home, but some of the other answers I've read discuss being moved all over. Do you only move while enlisted, or would he be required to move after his 2 years are up? How does vacation time/visitation work?

Answer 1

First, enlistment is 4 not 2. Second, I'm very happy to see that you want to finish your degree before marriage or following him! I'm here to say it can be done. And it's even easier now then it was 20 years ago.

I also stayed behind to finish my degree and then teach for 1 year (pay back for a scholarship!). We were apart for about 2.5 years before our wedding. You can call, email, IM, webcam, snail mail, etc. while you are apart.. it does help. And with you having a goal in mind, it will be even easier!!

He will get 30 days of leave a year, but don't rely on it being able to fall when you have breaks. I even flew down to see him twice, when he had long weekends.

During our separation, he was in Texas, Illinois, and Virginia, while I was in Missouri. Big phone bills, but we survived! (we were pre technology!! :>) It's only an issue if you make it one. And with school... it will probably be easier if he's NOT around.
Good luck.... you can do it!

Answer 2

There is absolutely NO guarantee he'll be close to you. Moving around alot isn't guaranteed, but it is highly probable and you move throughout your whole career no matter the rank. If he is serious about this, you need to seriously think about whether this is the life for you or not. It isn't for everybody and that is ok, but you can't ask him not to enlist. I have been an army wife for 14 years and wouldn't trade a thing, but others really struggle with it and hate, it just depends on your personality. Go to hooah.com, it is kind of like myspace, but for people affiliated with the military, try to see if you can find some air force wives there and they can maybe give you some good insite, there are other forums also where you can go and specifically chat with air force wives...just do a search. What ever you do, don't marry him until you are sure you can live this life. I have seen lots of young soldiers get married b/c they are so IN LOVE to young girls that have never been away from home and they have NO idea what they are getting into. It is doomed from the start and doesn't last. Be well informed and stick to your decision. Good luck!

Answer 3

Unless things have changed in the last few years, he will have to join for 4 years not 2. If and when he enlists he will first be sent to basic training then on to technical training (Job training) normally. The length of his technical training varies by the career field he enters (job). Not knowing where you are living I dont know if there are any bases near there. He will be able to ask for an assignment near home however the needs to the Air Force will come first, there are no guarantees. Generally (again depending on the career field (job) he has his skill may not even be needed at a base near his home. I am retired from the Air Force and when I was in, the first assignment base is usually for two years or more long. Again, the career field could change that, but that was the norm. If he is smart and does a lot of research, he could improve his odds in the selection of his career field. He will, if that is what he wants, get some of the best training and have a marketable job for the future. But remember, there a very few guarantees when it comes to where and how long he will be assigned. The needs of the Air Force will come first. You should not expect to be with him for at least 15 months or more during his initial duty. In the military, you are entitled to 30 days vacation per year, however, if he is assigned a "critical career field" he may not be able to use it all and probably none while in training. His re-assignments (frequency and area) are determined by the needs of the Air Force. If he is interested in a specific area of work his test scores will determine his eligibility. If the scores are too low, he should not enlist until he has sought further training then re-test, must wait six month to re-test, to better qualify for his desired area. Again, though he may have to wait for availability of the desired career field.

Answer 4

As a nurse, wherever you two are, you will have no trouble finding work, that's for sure.

I was Army. The Army manages to place a military post on some of the most God-forsaken bits of turf available. Usually, way out in the sticks.

The Navy and the Air force tend to set their bases nearer to civilization. the Navy, mostly at seaports, The Air force, near large cities.

so, if your boyfriend enlists, not only will you have a job, you'll probably bring home a fatter paycheck for the first ten years or so. (If he goes in as an officer, or goes to OCS, make that five years or so.)

In the meantime, you'll travel and see the world on Uncle's nickel -- an experience you would never see, otherwise. Excuse me, you won't 'see' the world like a damned tourist, you will Experience that part of the world by actually living in it.

You will at least pick up bits of a second and even a third language -- for free.

You'll learn to accept different customs, and see that the "American" way of life is not the only way.

On the down-side, you'll learn to tolerate the government and its sometimes ridiculous notions of how to do things. Feel free to gripe -- its' every soldier's (and every wife's) right. But, tolerate them, you will!

All in all, it's not just a job -- it's an adventure. At least, it was for me!

wsulliva

Side Note: I used ot think the Army was screwed up. Currently, I work for the State of California. The Feds have nothing on State government!

Answer 5

There are two issues to deal with as far as him being close to you during his enlistment... because even if he is stationed close to you, he will likely end up being deployed far away from his station at some point with the current world conflicts. This is even an issue if he joins the Air National Guard or Reserves - most Guard and Reserve units have been called up to active duty or will deploy to support active duty units. Also, he will be spending a lot of time in training - during his training period you two will not have much contact with each other especially if you are not married. Depending on his job, training can last up to a year in length. His two year committment won't begin until he is out of training.

Generally the military will station a service member in one place for a period of two years if they are unmarried - three if they are married. But again, a servicemember is likely to be spending a lot of their time deployed somewhere around the world regardless of where they are stationed.

The length of a deployment varies by branch (I beleive AF deployments are relatively short), location (i.e. Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, etc...) and your unit.

Generally, all servicemembers get 30 days of paid leave per year. This doesn't include sick days or days spent missing work for other important reasons. Leave must be approved by your unit in advance of taking it.

One thing you should both keep in mind that the recruiters don't mention too often: A two year active duty enlistment comes along with a four year reserve commitment when the active duty time is up. Be sure you get the details about how that reserve committment can be spent and be aware of it!

God bless you (the world needs good nurses!) and your boyfriend for thinking about serving.

Edit to clarify - there is a 2 year enlistment option for the AF now (and most other branches). Just remember the additional four years of Reserve commitment.

Answer 6

I have not heard of a 2 year enlistment, but I'm sure it's new to just get people.

First, let me say that the Air Force treats their people very well. Some of the nicest facilities in all the military services. (I know this first hand because I've been told my Army and Marines that the Air Force has it made.)

First tell your boyfriend to take his ASVAB test until he gets the score he needs to get the job he wants. Recruiters will push them to test and then leave the next day, big mistake!

Plan on moving every 4 years, or whenever his enlistment is up. He may not have to, but plan on it. It's possible he may get his hardship station early on, meaning he cannot take family with him.

He can fill out bases on his "dream sheet" which he can place the top 5 Air Force bases he WISHES to be. However, they will send him where they need him.

It's not that bad at all.

Answer 7

Sounds like he has to decide whether to serve his country to defend our freedom or stay home because he is already FUZZY whipped!

If he enlist in the Air Force, There's no guarantees that he'll be stationed near home.
Look at the reserve option if you have an Airbase near your hometown.
Besides , a two year enlistment (if there is such a thing)is a real short period of time!
The military gives you 30 days paid leave (vacation )days per year!
Career Air Force personnel move to new assignments at an average of every 6 years, unless, if the rules were changed.

There are some jobs in the military that takes a year or more to train for.

Girlfriend issues - If you are not married then you don't exist as far as the Air Force is concerned.(extra benefits are for married personnel only)
If he is stationed, say across the country, from where you are from, and he decides to bring you there, then he's going to do it at his own expense!
What happens,if your bf likes the AF and decide to stay in longer than 2 years?
I guess he has a hard decision to make, YOU ar the AF!

Answer 8

Well, my husband has been in the Army for 10 years now. Most military life is the same, other than the fact that the Air Force tends to provide much better for their Airmen...that's a good thing! As for deployments, it's part of the military life...you learn to accept and deal....moving, well, you usually spend 3 years at a post and then move to another. In my husbands case, we were at one post for 8 years..and in the same company which is higly abnormal for most. We just recently moved to our 3rd post. Moving stinks because you leave your old life behind but, you get to begin a new life and the friends you meet in the military are from all walks of nature so we consider it a blessing to meet so many different folks and adventure from one place to another.
If you are having a hard time dealing with it, you really need to sit down and talk with him....go to the recruiter with him or find a website forum for Airmen wives. Remember there will be many who have such negative things to say, but don't go into the new life in a negative way...you need to live it yourself and whatever is thrown at you, you live it the best you can!
Finishing nursing school in two years is right around the corner.....good luck to you. You will find out that finding a nursing job in the military life is pretty easy....you should look on post first for employment. You'll have a job that can easily move with you.
I think you should really encourage your boyfriend to join the AirForce, let him know you support him and you will be there for him when he returns. Tell him to try and request a certain post when he enlists....it must be in the contract though.
Good luck!

Answer 9

I think 4 years is minimium enlistment.It's good to wait to get married so you can finish your nursing school.My husband is in the army and we move often.I got into a nursing program and wished I had done it first.It would have been 2 years, but figuring he's gone half the time, and I am now only ending up with a psychology degree next year, it would have been better to complete it first.In basic, you won't get to see him, but you can write.It's done in TX.In AIT, they get more priviledges after 30 days I believe.He'll get 30 days a year(2.5 days earned a month). He would ask for 'leave' to get any time off.I'm sure there are plenty of websites to check out.Plus, hopefully more knowledgeable people will answer you.Mostly, I wanted to say Air Force is one of the more family friendly military branches and also that's it's good to complete your nursing school before you get married.Then when you do move often, you'll find a job easy.It'll be better for you guys all around.You'll both have goals and can be supportive of one another.You guys will do well. Good luck!

Answer 10

I joined the US Air Force in 1965....it was a four year enlist-
ment then. Once he signs on he is government property..
he will be assigned to do what the air force deems best
for it and his needs become secondary...so don't believe
any recruiter who tells you otherwise...I joined to evade the
draft..I got my enduction letter to go for a physical and I
passed....so, I was prime draft pick! I could have been
drafted for two years into the US Army or three years into
the US Marines...or I could have joined the US Navy...but
I was terrified of deep water and was afraid I'd be stuck
on it for three years...this also stopped the US Coast
Guard prospect....THAT LEFT ME A FOUR YEAR
STINT WITH THE US AIR FORCE...a bid I hoped would
keep me out of the Rice Paddies of South East Asia...
.....that part worked fine for me..and as being afraid to fly,
all the fying I did was on commercial jets back and forth
on 'leave'....I worked ATC in support of SAC and worked
on and off planes, but while they were on the ground, of
course!

He will get paid leave time and if he doesn't use his time
they will pay him for days he didn't use...

Life in The United States Air Force to me, was the best
four years of my life....I will always cheerish the memories!
(I truly wish I could go back to when I was 19 and could get
into the US Air Force...this time I would STAY)!

If you are afraid he will meet some attractive girl and give
you a jolt...you should know well enough after 2.5 years
what to expect of him on that...there are plenty to choose
from..just maybe he won't choose anyone over you....Oh
well, where you are there's plenty to choose from, maybe
you won't choose one over him...depends on how tight
the glue is binding you guys together..lonely nights and
opportunities make strange things happen.

Usually, it's basic training..probably Lackland in San
Antonio...then tech school...any place the air force
decides to send him for technical training...of course,
there is OJT where they can put him directly on the job if
they think he is ready for it..now comes 'permanent party'
this is where he will be stationed to do his thing....once
in a while, he may go TDY...(temporary duty) to some other
base...these can be from a short 30 day stay to however
long the air force needs him there....(a doggoned good
way they have of messing up any study courses one may
have going on 'off base')!. Will the US Air Force try to
locate a base close to home for him......NOT LIKELY!
Usually 'close to home' brings 'home' probems to the base
and work interuptions...this will not be tolerated!
Any moving is regulated by the needs of the air force...

Since there is no draft now and since the military is not
just for men only...see how your boyfriend would react
if you suddenly told him you were going to join the WAF
women's air force....your enlistment would last as long
as his and you would have the same opportunities to
meet people as he would....who knows, you may even
like the pride it puts in your life knowing your are
making a difference! Good Luck!