Air Force vs. Army?

Question

Which would you choose? And Why?

My husband is contemplating which to go to, and the recruiters have not told us much. We have a family, with 3 kids. My husband wants to serve his country and I would like some opinions on which branch is better and why. ..

Thank you in advance. . .

Air Force already approved dependency waivers and such. . . .

Asvab scores were 91

Answer 1

the Air Force served me well

Answer 2

Okay, I have to answer this question. I am an Army brat but I SERVED 6 years in the Air Force. I have to say that the Air Force is the Family friendly service. The person who said all that crap that you can't to the AF with all that children is full of it. You can be in the AF and have 10 kids as long as you have the means to support these kids.
Now, your hubby got a 91 on his ASVAB. That means that he can pretty much choose any career he wants. I am in Intelligence Analyst in the AF. You have to have like at least an 80-something on the ASVAB to get in that career. It is basically an office job. Depending on where you work, you may work 9 hour days. Sometimes you have to work longer hours depending on what is going on, but it is usually pretty decent. Also, if he likes the job, he can re-enlist (Assuming he isn't going in officer) and get more than $15 grand on that bonus. My husband is intel also and he just re-enlisted and based on his rank, time in service, etc his bonus was $48,000. In other jobs you will not get that high of a bonus because they might not have problems filling it because people are able to make the ASVAB score.
As for serving in Iraq or any other country-
For my career field, the standard bucket is 6 month long deployments. But that is about every 12-18 months or if they need you more. It depends on what unit you are assigned to. This applies to almost all of the career fields in the AF. And we usually deploy to Qatar. Sometimes we go to Iraq, but like I said, it all depends on what unit you are assigned and what career field you are in. Qatar is pretty safe. I ahve been there three times. I have also been to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.
The AF is more like the civilian sector out of all the branches.Also, the facilities are much better, including base housing, the BX, Commissary, etc.

Answer 3

Well my Dad served 30 years and retired as a CSM in the Army.

I joined the USAF.

There is no such thing as one branch being better than another.

They all do different things.

Your husband needs to decide on just what he wants to do in the military, then make his service choice from there.

Between the AF and Army, some things to look at.

During peace time, the deployment rate is about the same.
( alot less than the Navy and Marines )

Now, with Iraq and Afghanistan going on, the Army deploys more than the other services do. About 65% of the Army has deployed at least once, the other three services are around 50%.

The Air Force has more overseas bases than the Army does.

So if you want to travel and live in a foreign country, you have a better chance in the AF than you do in the Army.

The AF has more bases than the Army does.

The Army has fewer very large post, where the AF has more smaller bases.

Most Army post have 20,000 plus soldiers, where most
Air Force bases have around 3,000 airmen.

So you have more options on what part of the country to be stationed at in the AF.

Of course since the Army post are larger, they generally offer more services than you will find on Air Force bases.

Generally if you are smarter and better at your job than your peers, it is easier to get promoted in the Army.

The Air Force is more structured in how they promote people, but there are opportunities to be promoted early, they are just harder to come by in the AF.

Answer 4

Out of the 2 I would suggest Air Force.

I served 9 years in the Navy working security for all branches of the service. In what I saw through all branches for training wise the Air Force is much better. They pay closer attention to the items they are teaching and ensure you have a good understanding of them before sending you on your way.

Don't get me wrong, the Army has great training as well but it seems the Air Force is more up to date and a little closer to the civilian environment.

Recruiters will not tell you much, they are faced with having to have so many people signed up in a certain time frame and don't really care what you are looking for. They simply want a heartbeat and a backbone.

I would suggest Air Force.

Answer 5

Ok, straight info:

The Army offers the largest enlistment bonuses then any other branch which is important for a family.

Secondly, Since the Army is the fastest promoting branch, that would be in your family best interest also. The faster you
get promoted the more money your husband will bring home monthly.

There are over 200 job skills available for applicants to choose from prior to your enlistment. We garuntee your training in writing prior to your enlistment. With detailed information on the amount of your bounes, training etc.

You are authorized very nice housing onbase at no cost to you or your family. All your responsible for paying is your phone bill and and cable bill.

There is for the most part schools within walking distacne from your quarters.

Contrary to popular opinion, the United States Army has a total 1 million men and women in it currently. There are approximately 130,000 soldiers in Iraq, afghanistan and Kuwait so that leaves over 900,000 soldiers stationed around the world doing thier jobs every day. Just because you enlist in the United States Army Doesn't mean you'll be pounding sand, I've bee in 21 yrs and never been to the middle east yet.

In my humble opion, the US Army would be the best choice for your family

Answer 6

Air Force is generally considered the family friendly choice.

EDIT: With waivers and a 91 on the ASVAB, go Air Force! Army would waste intelligence like that.

For your kids sake, for your well-being, and for your husbands future tell him to go Air Force.

Answer 7

wow, way to be an @sshole, xialou1. This isnt a political thread, alright, so keep your cheapshots out!

If I had a family and I had a choice between the two, I would definitely go Air Force, for much the same reasons as listed above. Also, I believe pay might be higher in the Air Force, as well as the fact that Airmen arent needed as much in-theater as, say Marines or Soldiers are. Thus, an Airman would be spending much more time at home, I believe.

Answer 8

The AF has, historically, been the elite branch, followed by the Navy, then the Army. The Marines have always been the gun-ho branch.
I would recommend doing what I did when I joined, many, many years ago. Check with each branch and see who offers the best schooling. His/your decision should be based on what you expect from this experience. One of my bank tellers is going into the Navy, because they are training him in IT and giving him $100,000 for college when he gets out. My grandson joined the Navy cause they gave him 2½
years schooling (he has to spend 6 years in after schooling). A friend joined the AF and was given dog trainer. It depends on how well you do on your test. The better you do the more they will offer you.

Answer 9

well i went through this in my head at one time as well... and everyone I have talked to including people in the army, say air force is the best way to go! so go ahead cross into the blue... go air force! but besides that

Air Force will probably allow him to spend more time with his family, while the army will allow him to promote faster and therefore make more money in a shorter period of time.

The army offers more job selections, and more guaranteed jobs, the army has longer more frequent deployments to Iraq.

The air force has higher quality of life standards and is closed to civilian life.

can't really say which branch is better because they both serve our country well it is up to you and your husband to decide why he is joining and what he expects out of the experience and pick the branch that fits those goals best.

Answer 10

Air Force. More like an office job and probably much safer. And still just as important in the War on Terror, national defense, and stuff like that.

You said he has 3 kids. Talk him into the Air Force. Better yet, the Coast Guard.

Answer 11

My Dad served in Navy, Air Force and Army, Personally, I'd say that the Air Force is more "Family oriented".