I only have 1 child period! and thats my 22yr old son,He recently told me that he took the test to join the air force.He expressed that he was just tired of working dead end jobs and wanted to go to college to better himself and that the air force would pay.Well my major concern is the war thats going on in iraq.What is his chances on being shipped over there??
If anyone has a clue please let me know thank you!
2007-11-19 21:51:37 · 23 answers · asked by Tluvly J 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Mom, he's 22. Let him be a man and make his decision.
I know you're worried about his safety. He made a good choice in the USAF, as far as safety. Even if he does deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan, he'll be relatively safe. There are a few exceptions, even in the AF, as some AF personnel are attached to the Army and Marines. So don't worry yourself into a frenzy. Besides, I think you'll be even more proud of him once he's home.
2007-11-19 23:15:14 · answer #1 · answered by Smoker06 6 · 6⤊ 2⤋
Deployments are a part of military life in all branches, and Airman are deployed right alongside (in the same units as) Soldiers and Marines. In the current state of affairs, everyone is likely to deploy when his/her deployment windown approaches. However, even if he enlisted today, he would have to complete Basic Military Training plus specialized training in his career field before he could be deployed. We may still be sending troops to Iraq by that point, and/or we might be filling deployments to other parts of the world.
The Air Force offers so many opportunities from training and money for college to the opportunity to take on far more responsibility much sooner than in the civilian world. He could also consider entering the AF as an officer after college.
Ultimately, the decision is his to make. Military service is a truly honorable and rewarding endeavor. It requires sacrifice not only on the part of the military member but also on the part of the friends and family who love them. All the best to your entire family no matter what course your son chooses.
2007-11-20 11:10:18 · answer #2 · answered by World Traveling Woman 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am also my parents only son, and am an infantry Marine. I have deployed twice to Iraq in the last two years. I know it was very hard for my parents to see me go, and worry while I was there. But they understand that this is what I chose to do with my life and they have supported me 110%. If your son is truly wanting to join the military, the best thing you can do is support him. If only more young people today had a sense of duty for our country rather than complain about all that is wrong, we would be much better off. If you try and talk him out of he will always wonder "what if?". On the flip side of that, if he does go, and something does happen, you will always wonder "what if I tried harder to talk him out of it?". Over all, the airforce is the safest branch to be in. Their deployments are the shortest, and their primary job is not directly related to combat. Find out what jobs he qualifies for and are available to him, and work with him to decide what he would like to do that will also allow him to reach his goals. I wish him the best of luck.
2007-11-20 06:44:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
The chances of your som going to Iraq as an Airman are less than the Marines or Army, if he does go he will be there 6 months at the most which is a year less than the Army and 6 months less than the Marines. If he does go, he will most likely be in a very safe place as an Airman, they very rarely go to dangerous places. As far as joining the military and being safe the Air Force or Navy is the safest bet for him. Let him go, he'll enjoy it....
2007-11-20 07:35:34 · answer #4 · answered by killerbee492001 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's the Air Force and not the Marines. When is the last time you heard of an Airman getting killed? (unless he gets run over by a tow truck). The Air Force does not have as many personnel over there as the Army or Marines. They don't go out, kicking in doors looking for terrorists. As there is no threat from enemy aircraft, they mostly do close air support (drop bombs on small pin-point targets). The Marines and Army carry the brunt of those missions.
Your son will be fine. I have a friend who joined over 27 years ago. The Air Force gave him opportunities that he could never have found in civilian life, especially in the small town he came from. At my recent 30th HS reunion, he said the AF was the best thing that ever happened in his life. He retires in 3 years.
I know it's hard, but don't worry. He will be fine. He might do his 3-4 and get out. He might retire in 20. He might never even get deployed. Even if he does, he will be stationed at Air Bases. They tend to keep the security tight around a couple of billion dollars worth of aircraft.
2007-11-20 07:29:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Support him.. A tour in the Air Force will help him mature, build confidence and perhaps get a better focus on what he wants to do with his life. I spent 21 years in the Air Force (8 enlisted, 13 officer), got two college degrees and a lot of living and enjoyment out of it.
(Maj USAF Ret)
2007-11-20 10:16:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
There are plenty of people in the defense forces that do not get sent to iraq. even if they are sent to iraq, they won't necessarily be in the front line fighting. there are lots of relatively safe jobs there for the defense forces.
Basically you have absolutely no say in this. He is an adult and it's his decision, no matter how wrong you think it is. All you can do is be there to support him. Tell him you don't like it because you worry, but you will always be there for him. Don't argue with him over it because that will only make him more determined to leave.
2007-11-20 06:35:21 · answer #7 · answered by emmybob3 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
The Air Force has the lowest casualty rate out of all the Armed Forces. So the odds are he might get sent over there but a 90% chance he will never see any action. Just tell him to keep his head down and listen to the guys who know what's going on.
2007-11-20 07:17:31 · answer #8 · answered by 2nd AD/ 4th ID 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I hear your concerns, loud and clear. I'm the only surviving child and I'm in the Air Force. A lot depends on what career field your son chooses...some career fields have a much higher deployment rate than others...as a personnelist, I only deployed once for four months in seven years.
2007-11-20 20:57:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
We don't deploy as often or as long as the other branches, and I feel like our locations are definitely safer. I'm currently deployed to the middle east and still have time to get on Answers. He will be deployed over here at some time, but if he is just now joining it will probably be a while (depending on his job). He joined the right branch. Good luck to him.
2007-11-20 12:36:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋