Air Force Question?

Question

So im thinking about joining the air force because it sounds very beneficial education wise. If you have been through the process, how was it? did you go through boot camp and straight to college of your choice? and once in college do you have any obligations or work for the air force the same time as you study? im looking to become a doctor, do you know the process for one to become one through the air force? also im a girl, and my mom thinks i might get raped? lol. so yea please tell me your experience in the air force because sometimes the recruiters might tell me what ever i want to hear....
i am a little skeptical, and im not sure i should just go through
college like normal people. so tell me your advice and thanks so so much!!

Answer 1

lifesgame said it all...I was in 8 years and only heard of 2 rape cases on all of my bases

Answer 2

I retired from the Air Force as an E-6 or Technical Sergeant. You will probably get a lot of responses from members of the other services, but that's okay. We need them all.

You're really asking a separate series of questions. First, how much, if any, college education do you have? If you want to become an officer (lieutenant, captain, etc.,) the first thing to do is get a bachelor's degree. That will open some doors for you, more so than if you enlist (airman, sergeant, etc.) with less than a college education. So that's one thing to determine.

*Edit* New material: One thing I forgot to mention was the career you sign up for. Say you enlist as a medical services specialist or something like that. After basic training, you would more than likely attend technical training at one of the Air Force's tech schools. There are several. Once you complete that, you have begun your career as an Air Force--whatever you choose. Officers have similar schools to attend before they're turned loose, also. The best bet is to check with a recruiter or log on to the Air Force's web site. Sorry, I don't remember it now, but google for "Air Force Jobs" and you should find a good link. NONE OF THIS really has anything to do with going to college while you're on active duty. This is really apples and oranges, one prepares you for your job, the other for the future. You may be assigned as a jet engine mechanic but want to study meteorology, for example. Follow your dreams!

In my case, I had joined the Air National Guard in my home state and didn't enter the regular Air Force until a few years later, so my case isn't the normal one. For me, and others in my generation, we would go to the base education office and see which colleges offered the courses we wanted. Then there was the inevitable paperwork to complete. If the supervisor said it was okay to attend during the times listed, you simply showed up, did your homework, etc., and repeated the process until you met your goal. All the classes I took were during the evening so there was no problem with conflicting work schedules and so forth.

Now you asked about becoming a doctor. The best person to speak with would be an Air Force recruiter. He or she could tell you the best path to follow, as I've been retired for several years and things may have changed since my day. I can say for sure that I thank God for the Air Force doctors and physician assistants (PA's, and there's another avenue for you to consider) who helped take care of me and my family during my career. We needed good doctors then, and we sure need them now.

As for you being a girl, remember that the military in general has a very dim view of harassment of any kind. And most of the time, doctors and other officers are able to live on base housing (not everybody gets to, but that's another story). I don't think you'll have any problem. If anything did happen, you would call the security police (Air Force's version of MP's) and they would assuredly take care of the problem.

Thank you for considering this decision. Those of us who have retired, or left, are grateful for young men and women, like yourself, who are willing to step up and serve. Our nation has its problems, nobody denies that, but it's still worth defending and fighting for. Thanks again, from an old tech sergeant.

Answer 3

I was in the Air Force for 6 years, and I didn't get raped. I won't lie though, it does happen. But if you are smart and take care of yourself, you will more than likely be ok. 99% of the people on my base that filed, were very intoxicated when the incidents happened.

As far as going to school, unless you sign up for one of the specific programs the AF has - you don't sign up and then go to school (college). You have a VA benefit while active duty, which is tuition reimbursement, and you can also sign up for the GI Bill in basic training, which pays very nice if you take advantage of it.

I do not regret for one second my decision to join the AF, and miss it very much. Best decision of my life.

Answer 4

I think you have a few misconceptions about serving in the Air Force. If you enlist, you will attend basic training, then be assigned to a job specialty and likely sent to a technical school before reaching your first permanent duty station. Once there, you will work in your assigned field.

Not sure where you're getting this "go through boot camp and straight to college" stuff.

(USAF Ret)