Is Air Force a good career path?

A word of warning from someone who has served in the Air Force for 21 years: If you're thinking about enlisting for what the Air Force will do for you, then you're doing it for the wrong reasons. Air Force recruiters are more interested in what you bring to the fight than they are in what you want to get out of an Air Force career. You need to understand that once you enlist, the Air Force owns you. I'm not saying it's a bad thing because the Air Force was very good for me -- what I AM saying is you have to realize what you will have to give up to wear an Air Force uniform. You will have to leave your family and friends, you could be stationed very far away from home, you could get deployed to Afghanistan or any other hot-spot in the world, you could end up working crazy shifts, you could be shot at by enemy soldiers, and you have to be committed to accomplishing the Air Force mission no matter what. "Service before self" is the second core value of the Air Force ("Integrity First" is #1). Also, bear in mind that a lot of people are trying to get into the Air Force right now because the economy is bad and jobs are scarce. That means recruiters can pick and choose who they're going to enlist. If your recruiter gets the sense that you're not 100% committed to wearing an Air Force uniform, or that you're going in asking "What's in it for me?" he/she is not going to work very hard to get you enlisted -- especially when he/she will have at least a dozen others who are willing to give 100% to the Air Force trying to get in. So here's the bottom line: It sounds to me like you're on the fence, so you'd really be better off doing community college for two years and then transferring to a university. Don't waste the Air Force recruiter's time unless you're all in -- mind, body, and spirit.

In addition to the excellent advice Norm gave another piece of advice from someone with 23 years in the Army so far... VERY FEW jobs in the military, especially entry level enlisted jobs, transfer directly into the civilian world without additional education, training and/or licensure. We train you to do a job IN the military. Which is also why the US taxpayer is generous enough to provide you with programs like the GI Bill so that after your service you can get the additional education, training and/or licensure you need to secure a good civilian career. My advice...do something that you want to do..regardless of how it does or does not transfer. There are a lot of things you can do in the military that you will never have the chance to do again in your life. I will use myself as an example. I started out at 17 as an Infantryman. I have been Airborne and I am Ranger Qualified. I earned my BS in Engineering and two Master Degrees as well as a commission. I am now a Senior Logistics Officer. When I retire, my Degrees and high level Logistics Experience is what is going to get me hired. But my experience as a leader and qualifications like Airborne and Ranger is what is going to set me apart. People see that as a person who strove to be the best.

I agree with Norm You must be totaly dedacated to get in. If you are planning on becoming a pilot then th USAF is not right for you, belive it or not only about 3% of the AF are pilots so ironicly if you want to become a pilot you should join the Navy. Most people in the Air Force are enggineers and Pararescumen. If you decide to join the Air Force the safest job is an engineer also it gives you a job for when you get out.

In addition to the excellent advice Norm gave another piece of advice from someone with 23 years in the Army so far... VERY FEW jobs in the military, especially entry level enlisted jobs, transfer directly into the civilian world without additional education, training and/or licensure. We train you to do a job IN the military. Which is also why the US taxpayer is generous enough to provide you with programs like the GI Bill so that after your service you can get the additional education, training and/or licensure you need to secure a good civilian career. My advice...do something that you want to do..regardless of how it does or does not transfer. There are a lot of things you can do in the military that you will never have the chance to do again in your life. I will use myself as an example. I started out at 17 as an Infantryman. I have been Airborne and I am Ranger Qualified. I earned my BS in Engineering and two Master Degrees as well as a commission. I am now a Senior Logistics Officer. When I retire, my Degrees and high level Logistics Experience is what is going to get me hired. But my experience as a leader and qualifications like Airborne and Ranger is what is going to set me apart. People see that as a person who strove to be the best.

This Site Might Help You. RE: Is Air Force a good career path? I am getting started in joining the Air Force, I would plan on leaving after summer 2012 around September. I am 18 years old. Is the AF a good choice? I have no idea what I want to do yet for a career after I get out of the military. I will be honest, I dont want to go for 4 years and have to come...

I agree with Norm You must be totaly dedacated to get in. If you are planning on becoming a pilot then th USAF is not right for you, belive it or not only about 3% of the AF are pilots so ironicly if you want to become a pilot you should join the Navy. Most people in the Air Force are enggineers and Pararescumen. If you decide to join the Air Force the safest job is an engineer also it gives you a job for when you get out.