I want to join the US Air Force. Should I enlist now and start my career or should I go to college, take ROTC, and become an officer. I am a Junior in High School so I have a little bit of time to think about it. I have been offered a ROTC scholarship and I am wondering if I should go to college and later join the USAF as an officer or enlist now.
2007-12-13 13:00:42 · 8 answers · asked by sgt.hazard 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
No matter what branch you join your experience will depend on your job. As one poster mentioned, she was in the Army and was tasked as a gunner and was injured. That's a horrible thing to have happen, but officers of other branches who may never touch a weapon like that get gunned down in choppers or injured while deployed by other means. All I am saying is that there is a certain risk to everyone who enters the military whether officer or enlisted.
That being said, it will completely depend on your goals as far as you going ROTC or enlisted. I have found that members of the military who have enlisted experience, tend to make very good officers since they know the challenges and roles of enlisted members. Furthermore, ROTC is a very good program. If you are great in school, then that may also be for you. Do your research into the branch that will fit you best. There are pros and cons to both. But ultimately it will be up to you. I'm in the Army, so my opinion is slightly biased based on my experiences, but the Air Force treats families with better housing and opportunities. That is "in general" it varies post to post as well. So your experience will be unique no matter what.
2007-12-13 15:40:44 · answer #1 · answered by Lynn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You've already been offered a scholarship? We're still interviewing for the January deadline.
Going from enlisted to officer is extremely competitive...everyone in my OTS class had a 3.6 GPA or higher... and the promotion rate for prior enlisted is not as good. ROTC on the other hand, commissions about 98% of our graduates. Just a thought.
2007-12-13 15:49:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are able to. Any enlist can marry one more enlisted, and any officer can marry one more officer. The complex aspect is officials and enlisted marrying. They are aloud to, however it's unlawful so far. So in the event that they do it they have to conceal their courting till after they're married. Once they're married the officer can begin watching for one more activity, he/she's going to not ever be promoted once more and can be compelled out given that of it.
2016-09-05 13:00:42 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heres just a little food for thought...
I was enlisted in the Army and spent a year in Iraq and am now 70% disabled at the age of 22 from injuries I recieved b/c I was a .50cal gunner.
My husbands uncle just retired as an officer in the Air Force and spent the last 10 years living in London.
Take your pick.
2007-12-13 13:10:09 · answer #4 · answered by Stevie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ROTC and college, with the option for officer is the better way. Better pay, work, housing. Everything else is the same as anyone else in the military.
Vet-USAF
2007-12-13 13:06:11 · answer #5 · answered by ฉันรักเบ้า 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you want to do... if you really want to lead young soldiers than enlisted is the way to go.
If you want to be an Officer I would still say enlist and then go Green to Gold (AF equivalent)or OCS -- prior enlisted make better officers as they aren't all stuck on what they learned in college but what's really going on with the troops. Leading by the book vs leading by experience.
I don't know the AF's version but there are many ways to get college and get Uncle Sam to pay for it while you are serving.
2007-12-13 15:51:30 · answer #6 · answered by ArmyWifey 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Here are the only two facts you need:
Officers are much better paid
Only officers fly jets
2007-12-13 13:05:08 · answer #7 · answered by Hubris252 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Collage, ROTC best way to go bar non.
2007-12-13 13:04:00 · answer #8 · answered by Dave M 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋