enlisting in air force?

Question

I am enlisting in the Air Force soon. I'm not quite sure what job i want as of right now. But what I do know is that I want to become an officer and be a pilot. What job would enable me to go to college and also be best to become a pilot later in my military career.

Answer 1

Pilots /Officers need a four year degree. without that, you are not getting anywhere. ALL enlisted jobs have the potential to deploy/limit your ability to take college courses on your own time. While it is possible to get a 2 year degree in your first 4 years enlisted, getting a 4 year degree is pretty much impossible. since there is an age cutoff for Aviation, skip enlisting. Go to a college with an AFROTC unit and take that route.

Be aware, however, that Aviation Slots are hard to come by.. they have some of the strictest requirements overall and many do not meet them.

Answer 2

Check with a recruiter, but make sure you get everything down IN WRITING because no matter what they say,it means nothing if it can't be backed up with written proof.

When you do enlist, you'll go through a series of tests, including a written one, which will be the hardest, and a physical one, which simply eliminates those that aren't physically fit.

Most somewhat well-known colleges/universities are good enough to be an officer in any branch, but since the Air Force is cutting back on personnel, the requirements may have gotten more demanding since 2006.

When you complete the written test, you're ASSIGNED your role, unless you reach the top 10%, in which you get to pick your plane. My dad recommends that you stick with a fighter jet, assuming you make the top 10%. The F16 is the best at the moment, because the JSF won't be in service until 2012, and the (even better) F22 is reserved for experienced pilots at least for the moment.

Assuming you make it through this, and become a fighter pilot, you'll go through Red Flag, and then a tougher, more difficult 9-month session most similar to TOP GUN in the Navy, except about 3-4x harder. The Air Force only accepts the absolute best these days- the others must either try again, or try to make it into the Navy or Marines to fly.

Good luck, and hope this helped!

Answer 3

Geez, PLEASE don't listen to some of the wannabes and the ones who say their dad is this or that. Go to the Air Force websites and find out what the requirements are for becoming an officer either after college or after finishing your degree as enlisted.

ROTC, OCS, and the Air Force Academy, are avenues to becoming an officer. You can not enlist to be an officer, but may complete your degree while enlisted then apply for OCS. If you're near an AF base with fighters find a fighter pilot and ask what he did to become one. If not, write the nearest AF Base and ask.

You can have all the degrees in the world and still be unqualified to serve as an officer for various reasons. It's not like you're going to walk into the recruiter's office with that shiny new diploma and they slap those butter bars on you. Officer slots, especially fighter jock positions are highly competitive and the requirements are very stringent.

Do your homework, have a plan, then work your plan.

Answer 4

To become a pilot in the Air Force you really need to have top grades and be a great student.
If you want to become an officer try finding a job where you will be some sort of leader, like the head of your team or manager. Maybe a job where you are doing physical work too so you will be fit for all the training that comes with any of the military roles.

Answer 5

If you are serious about wanting to become a pilot, I strongly suggest you make that your first priority by going to college and earning your degree. Then join the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant. It will be by far the best and fastest way to earning your degree and being awarded your commission.

If you enlist first, that is still a step in the right direction, but be prepaired for a few more hurdles. Expect to earn your degree slowers since you will be working full time as well. Understand that the needs of the Air Force come before your own, and that deployments, field exercises, and TDY's will all come before your schooling.

You also have to meet age requirements for your commission, so make sure you come up with a solid plan and benchmarks to make sure you plan is working.

I have known three different individuals who have tried this with only one making it the way though. Its possible, just make sure you dont get stuck in a high ops tempo job if you plan on going to school.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You want to enlist but become an officer and pilot later on you say. Hmmm...that's tough. I've seen it done before though. It doesn't really matter what job you get because it will all come down to you getting the bachelors degree and applying to OTS and getting qualified as a pilot. I highly recommend you pick something that interests you so that you'll enjoy it and that positive mind set will help in your studies. If in doubt visit the local Air Force base and ask around.

Answer 7

Take it upon your self to find out. Look on the air force web site and see what you can dig up. Don't rely on your recruiter to advise you. Although most are mostly honest, they do have a number to meet and some will tell you whatever it takes to get you to San Antonio. Once your in, it doesn't mater what your recruiter told you. Air force recruiters are volunteers and chose to do that job, and usually only have one per recruiting station. Other branches of the military have their recruiters designated and have a team of recruiters per station. But to answer your question. Pick a job that you can do well, this will make promotions faster. Pick one that will benefit you when you get out, no one pays you to load bombs on a plane in the civilian world. And do not sign unless you have a guaranteed job. If you do you will end up doing the jobs they have a hard time filling. Once in, the air force as a few different programs for enlisted to become officers, like boot strap. Look into them on your own and be realistice as far as time tables. But keep in mind you will not be able to take classes for a while. Once you enlist you have basic training then your tech school, which can be a year long. You are not allowed to attend classes although your tech training will count for some credits. Then if you deploy, and you will, that will delay some more. Be prepared to waite over two years before taking classes. And which job isnt as important as rank and how far you are in your education to get into OTS. The good thing is the air force is high on education and they pay for some of it, but get your GI bill! Good Luck!!

Answer 8

THIS IS PROHIBITED AND WRONG! Per AR 600-20, para 4-14 (c) sub 2 states, "Certain types of relationships between officers and enlisted personnel are prohibited. Prohibited relationships include: (2) Dating, shared living accomodations other than those dictated by operational requirements, and intimate or sexual relationships, between officers and enlisted personnel." The regulation goes on to state that if the relationship is not known and results in marriage, the marriage is legal, HOWEVER, both commands of the effected servicepersons may take action and again I quote, "When evidence of fraternization between an officer and enlisted member prior to their marriage exists, their marriage does NOT preclude appropriate command action..." This whole "awww isn't that sweet attitude" is poppycock and as an officer he should know better. As an officer he is a leader and expected to lead by example. So the standard he has just set is "ignoring regulations and orders is alright as long as you are in love or because your heart says so." He should be ashamed of himself - officers used to live by the motto 'One Standard - No Exception'. Apparently, in his case, this does not apply. He will reap what he sows - and trust me, his Soldiers are watching him. I hope he enjoys his command after they get wind of this; he is in for a rough ride and a rash of fraternization problems. Exactly what is he supposed to say to his First Sergeant if Top gets caught sleeping with a Soldier?? What do you think the First Sergeant is going to say to him? Got a good idea, "But sir, how can you bust me - you MARRIED an enlisted person!" How does your fiance plan to stop a Platoon Sergeant from advancing a lower enlisted faster than the others because they are involved? How can he possibly enforce a rule he is breaking? You, I can excuse. Him? This has been drilled into his head since his initial commissioning course, OBC and his required Ethics courses. Apparently, he was sleeping. What happened to doing the "Hard Right"? Guess that's why they call it "hard." Too bad. I linked the regulation below if you want to verify. P.S. If you check 4-14 paragraph (a) it makes it clear that this regulation applies to ALL SERVICES, ALL COMPONENTS and Guard and Reserves alike. Also note, this regulation says NOTHING about it only being wrong if you and him are in the same chain of command. That is a myth - read the regulation.

Answer 9

Big Rule #1 - talk to your recruiter about your goals.
For a job best related to start as enlisted would be probably be Flight Engineer. If your goal is to be a pilot, you should be looking at college and directed to applying for OCS.
I went similar to this route - I did not plan it well when I started, so it took a long time to get where I was going.
Perhaps there is a bus driver out there who will help you.
Almost forgot - Ooh Rah!!!

Answer 10

Truthfully, if you want the most time to be able to go to college while in the Air Force.

Then go for an administration( paper pusher ) type job, your duty hours will be alot more regular.

That will also give you access to the most AFB's and you can request a base that has a university near by.

After you have completed the first two years of your degree, there are Air Force programs that you can apply for, to allow you to finish your degree full time.

The Airman Education and Commissioning Program (AECP)

Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP)

Leaders Encouraging Airman Development (LEAD) Program

Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC (SOAR)

Professional Officer Course-Early Release Program (POC-ERP)


But remember, those programs are competitive.

And you will most likely want a hard science degree,
( engineering, math, physics ).