questions about the military?

Question

i'm thinking of joining but i don't know which branch to join - the army or air force. on one hand i want to be active and work (army) but then i consider myself good with computers and i heard that's basically what the air force does. the army also interests me because i get to handle weapons. so my questions are:

1. what are the oppurtunties in the air force? is there anything besides sitting around working with computers and radar?
2. do you think the air force will ever be reintegrated back into the army, considering the only thing the air force has going for it is fighter planes.
3. what happened to the cavalry? does it still exist?
4. besides infantry, armor and green berets, what other positions are there in the army?

no disrespect to the USAF, but i was considering the army because you get to use weapons and are trained as infantry.

also, about the infantry/cavalry/green beret question, i was wondering what types of soldiers there were (historically there was infantry, cavalry, and artillery)

Answer 1

the navy sounds perfect for you and your computer knowledge ..... you can work yourself up the ladder and make more money there than other branches...... good luck

Answer 2

1. what are the oppurtunties in the air force? is there anything besides sitting around working with computers and radar?
You have no idea. Basically everything you can imagine from cops to cooks. From building bombs to "flying" predators. You should go to a recruiter and talk to enlisted people.
2. do you think the air force will ever be reintegrated back into the army, considering the only thing the air force has going for it is fighter planes.
The army air corp will probably never agin be seen. The army does have a flying mission but the forces will probably never be merged.
3. what happened to the cavalry? does it still exist?
Armored cav. The whole horse thing is gone except for ceremony
4. besides infantry, armor and green berets, what other positions are there in the army?
a lot. All army is trained in infantry though I believe.

Answer 3

Every branch has some kind of computer field, what you need to do is see exactly what they do with computers. Also which will guarantee that you will be working on them. The Army will Guarantee your job when you join, but there is fine print in your contract that says "or the needs of the Army". Wth that being said, quess what the needs of the Army are at this time. You guessed it, infantry. I am in the Navy and have been working with computers for 11.5 years. If you have narrowed your choices to the Army or the Air Force, then I would suggest the Air Force. You may want to at least talk with a Navy recruiter to see what opportunites they have for you. Good luck in your decision.

Tom Larscheidt
Navy Recruiter

Answer 4

Cavalry still exists, I'm part of a cav unit and have been for almost 6 years now. Just changed from a tank company to a cavalry scout unit/recon unit.

There are millions of positions in the army. Even the army has computer jobs. My 1st platoon Lt. is a full time network administrator for the National Guard unit we are in.

In the air force you don't get to do much weapons handling unless your in a weapons oriented field. As a computer systems operator/administrator etc. you aren't going to have weapons all the time.

Join the army, the air force is for people who couldn't handle the army.

Answer 5

Go talk to recruiters to see what they will offer you.
1: Last time I checked the AF did other things other than just look at computers but it is a big part of it. I spent some quality time in the field training with the Army and other groups. Ah the joys of Army support....
2: Possibly but more likely will transition to more of aero and space and virtual warfare modes.
3 Cav still exists... Ft Hood Tx and a few other places
4 Go talk to recruiter
5 dont diss the Navy. Generally better technical training/ significantly worse quality of life then the USAF.
USAF 13 years 5 1/2 years Army Support currently Sea Cadet adult leader

Answer 6

lol who told you that the air force basically only does computers stuff....and that they sit around and do nothing? I mean there are computer jobs......and im sure some career fields do sit around all day and do nothing, but its a small minority. the air force has alot going for it besides fighter planes, as a matter of fact many AF bases never see a single fighter stationed there. there are many AF on the ground in Iraq fighting as we speak. oh and as for handling weapons my husband mans a 50 cal when hes deployed.....how much more weapon could you ask for? you really need to talk to recruiters from both or go to the army and AF websites and see what kinds of jobs they offer in both...because you will probably be surprised at some of the options.

Answer 7

Others have answered some portions of your question, but two have not been addressed.
The Air Force was never a part of the Army, it was formed directly after WWII and it has always been independant of the Army. It offers numerous and multiple career options for anyone interested in serving. But, in wartime, you will likely be pressed into active duty immediately, and I don't mean in Bermuda.
The US Cavalry has been a ceremonial portion of the Army ever since the Jeep was invented during WWI. It still exists, but one must be reasonably high ranked and close to the exhibition end of the Army to get into it. Mainly experienced horsemen from their off-duty time are used. And they are normally used for parades, concert preparation, etc. They are no longer an active division of the Army.
Beside the divisions you asked about, there are hundreds of opportunities in the Army. Ever heard of the Army Air Corps?
Army Medical Corps? Good Lord, all of the forces provide hundreds of different opportunities. I was in the US Navy, but it obviously is not your choice. But every service branch provides a lot of options.

Answer 8

The Army still has Cavalry but it is out of tradition. Today's CAV units are on Tanks, Bradley's, Helicopters, or trucks not horses (except for the parade units)

I'm Military Police. You can do Law Enforcement on the base, then train to go to war in trucks with .50 cal Heavy Machine Gun or MK-19 Grenade Machine Gun on top and every MP carries a 9mm Side arm as well as their rifle.

I used to be Engineer and got to use Explosives, that was cool.

Answer 9

You don't think we are active in the Air Force? Sure, I did not have to get out their in the damn cold and do PT every morning or have inspections every two days, I rarely had a roommate in the barracks, and if I did it was only one, but I worked and I worked hard. The Air Force has a different mission than the Army and the Air Force has not only fighters, but bombers, tankers, the Presidential fleet, Transport, AWACS and Medivac. You need to talk to a recruiter. Everyone can get in the Army, many cannot qualify for the Air Force.

Answer 10

You can do just about anything in either branch (just don't join the Marines). In the army, the smartest people (relatively speaking) go to Sat Com. However, you really don't need to be that smart. You just need to pass a test. That sounds like a good job for you if you like computers but want to be in the Army.

Answer 11

Jeff L, you said "The Air Force was never a part of the Army"

Um, have you ever heard of the Army Air Corp?????? That IS where the Air Force was started.