Airforce or college first?

Question

so ive been thinking about the airforce for a while now .. my parents are somewhat ok with it and a few of my friends are too .. but most of them think that its a waste if I join, get shipped off, and die. I dont think the same way they do .. to me . .its a very good experience and you get a lot out of it. There may be some happy times and some not soo happy times but in the end you feel proud of yourself for going through with it and accomplishing it. I want to work as a photographer and I was talking to a recruiter and she said she's been with the airforce for a long time and she loved it. She mentioned a job as a photographer for the airforce and maybe thats what I want to do .. the military is a very big step and im not sure whether I want to do that or just go to college and get on with life. Please help me out and give me some input .. it would extremely help if you are with the airforce and has gone through the whole basic training. every detail helps!

Answer 1

Go to college.

Answer 2

well i never went to the air force - always wanted to - that was one of three dreams i had ( becoming a lawyer and a veterinarian were the others )

I will say this from what i have been told or heard others talking on - they say you should always get your degree first even if it is through the air force - reason being - if you go to serve first you may not want to do anything else which can be good - but could just be you dont feel like going back to school - so you stay and serve two more years - and two more years - and never full fill your dreams -

if you want to go to the air force and it isnt just to pay for tuition - then i think you really should go - but i also think you need to get your schooling done before or during your " active duty " not after - why let one dream pass you by when you would have the opportunity to do both ?

Answer 3

First off let me address you parents concern about being shipped off to die. The Air Force has lost about 35 people in the four and a half years the war has been going on. So thats less than 9 per year. Ther is 500,000 people in the Air Force. Thats .00007 percent. I think you'll be ok. As far as being a photographer i wouldn't bet on it. It is a very very rare thing for someone to do as their first job in the Air Force. As far as school you earn college credit in Basic training, tech school, and while during upgrade training. You also have tuition assistance which will cover all expenses other than books.

Answer 4

I am retired Air Force and spent almost all of my career in photo. You could do worse jobs in the military, believe me. There are different AFSC's in photography as there are in most duties. I was a 23370, Continuous Photo Processing Technician. Don't know what it's called now, I've been retired too long. However, the tech school and advanced tech schools are excellent. I had experience with many different cameras, processors, printers and missions from motion picture production to battle damage assessment imagery to tactical imagery to recon imagery from the SR-71/U-2 recon aircraft and even worked in a base photo lab a couple of years. It was a very interesting career and I'd do it all over again. The last 3 years, I took a special assignment for even more interesting work, but that's another story.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Let me break it down to you, since you seem lost..
Fact#1 Depending on your job, you WILL most likely go overseas. ESPECIALLY as a combat cameraman.
Fact#2 You're joining the AIRFORCE, not the Army. You will almost *never* see close quarter combat, but instead stay behind the lines. As a camerman, you will go outside the wire, but you're job is to take pictures, NOT fight!
Fact#3 "... get shipped off, and die." This isn't you. Tell your ignorant friends, this RARELY happens. In fact, it's so rare, I believe since the start of the war, LESS than 100 Airmen have lost their life; most were results of accidents i.e. helicoptors being shot down/ malfunctioning.

Now that you have the facts straight, let me tell you about the military. Quick note, I joined the Marines for four years, instead of the Airforce, because I wanted to join "the best." My head must of been in the clouds, because the Airforce would now be my first choice when recommending ANY branch of service.
Where was I? Ah yes, the military. Plain and simple, it's either for you or it's not. My cousin, currently in the Airforce, originally wanted to get out, but because he didn't have a clear indication of where life was headed, he reenlisted. That's fine and dandy, BUT like myself if it's not for you, it's not for you.
Positives aspects- free food (usually free is better, but in this case, not really), free living, no bills (except for personnel cell phone, cable), firm paycheck (every 1st and 15th, no matter what), skills (managing, supervising, leadership-one of the best traits the military teaches), and a boost in your attitude, outlook on life
Negative aspects- being lower ranked (you'll get crapped for being new when you join the fleet, but it's manageable), the food (double-edged sword depending on where your stationed, but Iraq's food is supplied by Halliburton and in my personal opinion, good), firm paycheck (yes it's always on time, but $400 (starting pay) every two weeks is nothing to brag about), and the people. THE number two reason I disliked the military- either people are cool to work with, or complete ***holes. Especially the folks who're higher ranking- some can be complete power trips and pretend like they know everything. This becomes annoying, very fast.

Now that I've laid the cards out on the table, the question you asked was, should I join or go to college? My answer- college. Yes, the military is a valuable learning experience, but those are years lost you're never getting back. I've applied to about 10 jobs, just for part time work, using the military as my only past work reference, and only recieved 1 response back.
I could put it this way also- unless you really wanted to join, or were leaning more towards the military during your senior year, join. Otherwise, keep your head in school and don't regret the choice you made.

One final note, without altering your decision, I applied for a Governor's Waiver for California Community Colleges, and received it. So, my tuition is completely free. I applied for FAFSA and as an independent student being prior military, the amount I receive should be around $1200 a year (still waiting to receive it). Since Community College is paid for, I still have my $42,000 (being increased in 2008) from the G.I. Bill to carry with me. Add the Pel Grant, Cal Grant, and any scholarships I receive, I'll be looking at around $2000 a month just for school. AGAIN, I'm not trying to persuade you to join- go to college- but rather an insight if you decide to join.

One last thing, I swear, Airforce boot camp is a joke. Trust me. If you're fat and lazy or an all around athlete, you'll have no problems. Good luck!

Answer 6

A few points to make here.
1.Let the Airforce pay for your college.
2.Your friends will be paying off loans till they are 40.You will have no loans and 40k to put down on a home.
3.In the airforce your way behind the lines so your not going to get shot.
4. looks good when looking for a job

Answer 7

Yes it matters what you get your degree in and there is no guarantee they even want you as an officer just because you have a degree. I cannot tell you how many college grads are denied through a very rigid board process. A college degree is by no means a ticket to be an officer. Your best bet is to speak to an officer recruiter and see what they say in refernce to your degree and eligibility. @Tim you are so wrong. The degree is monumental in deciding what job one would qualify for in the USAF. And you get the same benefits enlisted or officer. The pay is a lot less enlisted but the benefits are the same.

Answer 8

Interesting the way you make it sound like the military is a detour in life.

"...im not sure whether I want to do that or just go to college and get on with life."

Well let me tell you this. I've been to the military, went to college, got a good job, started my own business, etc, and I have NEVER felt like I have done more meaningful work or more exciting and interesting days as the time that I was in the military. You'll think the same thing when you are in too.

Answer 9

My husband has been in the Air Force for 4 years. It has been the best experience. Why not join and get a degree while you are in? All of your training accumulates as college credits. Plus when you get ready to go to college, the air force pays your tuition while you are active duty and when you get out you still have your GI bill if you decide to get more schooling. While you are in the Air Force, you have your housing paid for, your meals paid for, you get great medical benefits, you earn college credits just for doing your job, you get your college paid for, and you earn a steady income at the same time.
We got so much negative feedback when he decided to join, especially since our country had just entered a war. Most of the negativity was from people who had never been in the military and knew nothing about military life. The only people I know that regretted their decision to join the air force, it was a direct result of themselves and lack of respect for authority and discipline. Like yours, our friends and family, thought that he would get shipped off and die. He's been in 4 yrs, never deployed and he's still alive. He loves his job and loves serving his country.

Answer 10

College first is the best option before going into any career. Further studies enhance the ability of the person to have more opportunities in life.