I don't feel it's worth 20 years of my life. If you think youve avoided collegethink again. Well, it seems that the Air Force is the most popular of the military services. It only takes one person to ruin it for everyone. If you do not have dependents, your paycheck will only contain a base pay. I personally know other airmen who were stationed in Italy, Guam, Japan, Germany, England, and Korea. Simply going from one overseas duty station to another. So I was thinking of becoming a pilot in either the Royal Air Force (UK) or the US Air Force. Up to 60 days of leave can be carried over and any excess days not used after October 1st will be lost. Hurry up and wait and if you aint early youre late. Good Luck Related: 6 signs that you might be a veteran. You can always attend these events, but it may not be as flexible as it would have been being in a civilian job. Living on base housing means youd only receive BAS (food allowance), living off base expect to receive both BAH and BAS. Being early is a part of the military discipline. The Air Force is probably better for getting preferred bases. So numerous types of Air Force jobs are tasked with taking a TDY (temporary duty assignment) to Las Vegas in order to support the exercise. Initially it was difficult for me to cope up the rigorous training ( but not that rigorous compared to Indian army) but later on the physical regimen becomes a part of your life. The Air Force offers all its Airmen and their families world-class insurance plans. Not every base will receive COLA though and the payout amount is determined by your rank, years of service, and number of dependants if any. I will get it changed up right away, thanks for pointing it out! Favourite answer. Okay, I love flying, I'm a great fan of it, and i feel free whenever i'm flying, i love speed, and i handle stressful situations very calmly. With regular travels in and out of the country, being in the Air Force can be hard on families. For Air Force pros and cons, a TDY to Vegas can go either way, depending on if you lose your money gambling at the casino. You are expected to be a highly disciplined person who conducts himself/herself in a good way. Although you have the option of staying off-base especially if you have dependents, most of the times, you will be forced to live on-base for easy accessibility in case of emergency. Diving further into the cons of these Air Force pros and cons is something youll hear regularly in the military. Hurry up and wait and if you aint early youre late. So numerous types of Air Force jobs are tasked with taking a TDY (temporary duty assignment) to Las Vegas in order to support the exercise. US Military Enlistment Standards At least one is above age 38, but it isn't the Air Force. Related article: How Much Money Can You Make On A Deployment. Up to 2 weeks in the recruiter assistance program. Is being in the Air Force worth it? Related Article Air Force Jobs List: A List Of All AFSCs In The Air Force. However, you are guaranteed a paycheck as long as you meet all the requirements of your contract with this service. It is a rare occasion for Air Force personnel to be put directly in harm's way as in the case of Army, Navvy and Marines. Even enlisted promotion to Staff Sergeant and above require you to study and pass tests in order to make rank. Our Commanders and NCO's were the most professional and competent leaders I had the privilege of working for. Youll learn some of the benefits of joining the Air Force, as well as some of its disadvantages in this Air Force pros and cons list. One of the other benefits of joining the Air Force is the Air Force has many overseas bases throughout many different countries. (My ex got jerked around by them for a year before finally enrolling in the Army.) This is possibly because they have a bigger budget and a head start in using some of it to fund, establish, and maintain the quality of life programs. Depending on your Air Force Specialty Code (Air Force job) you will have most national holidays off. With being so punctual to functions and appointments there becomes a lot of waiting. When you start to deploy, additional benefits get added to your paycheck. Also, the number of slots available is always few compared to those reserved for Navy and Army. Does Joining the Military to Pay for Medical School Make it Worth it? So if youve ever wanted to go to Las Vegas, the military will fly you there, give you lodging, a stipend for food, and pay you to work. On day one, you get enrolled in Community College, an accredited Air Force college, to start with Basic Military Training. A recruiter is someone currently serving in the military whose job it is to educate the public and entice eligible candidates to serve. Lee. Besides COLA, another potential allowance is OHA (overseas housing allowance). Be sure to use your days because you can lose them, a use or lose policy is put in effect. When compared to other branches of the military (specifically the Marine Corps and Army), the Air Force is considered one of the safer branches to serve in. This will enable you to focus on yourself and improve your life. Plus, there are always TDYs going to Vegas throughout the year. The Air Force now requires that all canidates have ICU experience to apply to CRNA school. It's worth. So there is no avoiding receiving an education in the Air Force. Click Here to learn more about our organization. The Air Force has an accredited community college that offers basic training as PE credits and puts your Tech School training en route for an Associate Degree. There are some specific bonuses that the Air Force offers that may not be available under other branches. If you do find yourself in an Air Force job that is understaffed, for example, maintainers around the flight line. I want to join the air force so they could pay for graduate school. Your email address will not be published. This is a great way to give children a college education and set them up for the future. While at the Air Force, you have different sponsorship programs including GI Bill funds and Air Force Tuition Assistance programs that allows you to learn new skills without you having to pay for anything. For one, they have the biggest budget per person in the military (bigger than the Navy). All branches of the military have the potential of being engaged in armed conflict. I cant believe I missed that! Related Article: BAH Calculator (and 6 Common Questions About BAH). With only two years in, they let me separate early and the VA is now paying $160K for me to attend graduate school for nothing in return. Once you join the Air Force, Tuition Assistance Programs offered by Air Force take over your tuition costs for academy classes that you take in your off-duty time. After your work shift is over you are free to enjoy everything that Vegas has to offer. Lv 7. Anyone else join later in life and happy with there decision? Enlisting in the United States armed forces is a serious commitment that requires a conscientious decision-making process. The benefits, as well as the downsides, of the Air force we have highlighted here exist in the other military branches as well. Being part of an organization whose purposes is to preserve peace and security, and also defend the US air space and its territories, you will be in a better place to serve your country. me 0 years RAF 29 years RAAF retired Warrant Officer and would do it all again Hence hurry up and wait. The air force is also funny in that they have a lot of reservists who select to activate when they feel like it or are needed. Some of the potential benefits you could see are hazard duty pay, hardship living pay, if you have a spouse or child then family separation pay is received. They receive low cost, full medical and dental care at military and civilian facilities. Sometimes, you can volunteer for these deployments while other times, you are ordered to go. This is a huge benefit; you retire early and get to enjoy all the benefits of retirement. COLA is offered at OCONUS locations to offset the cost of overseas prices on non-household goods and services. So I assume the AF is definitely worth it. Odds are you will see some type of action, but this will be on a need to know basis and it depends on the current geopolitical landscape, but it's definitely one of the questions to ask before joining the Air Force. A) Go talk to a recruiter. Now I only caught a glimpse of that pool once in passing, but still. Is the Air Force worth it. It is essential to come prepared having studied general Air Force material and job-related material. 5. When an airman I worked with got pulled over for drunk driving, our squadron commander was very displeased. Or worth it? 10 Answers. Sounds crazy, right? If you're thinking about joining the Air Force, it's a good idea to inform yourself about the qualifying requirements, demands, and drawbacks, as well as the benefits and experience that go along with service. Now for many in the US Air Force, that goal was to move out of mom and dads basement and begin a career on their own. 20 Pros And Cons Of Joining The Air Force. Another factor that makes Air Force the hardest service to get in is that their numbers keep decreasing because of advances in technology which means less taskforce is required to maintain and operate their weapon systems. When you get stationed overseas or OCONUS the easier it is to remain overseas calling many different countries home. One unlucky airman fainted standing in formation, and the rest of us had our weekend disrupted because of one drunk driving airman. I want to become a prosecutor would it benefit me and would they help me financially? I do love what I do and have enjoyed the last almost six years in the Air Force. My sister is a reservist now but pretty much works full time for the air force. The GI Bill refers to the education benefit earned by Members of Active Duty, National Guard Armed Forces, and Selected Reserve. Airmen also get full pay and allowances even during sick days, and they are also given low-cost life insurance. You must live as per the set rules. Worth it that depends on what you want and how much you put in . Going Air Force got me out of L.A., instilled needed self-discipline, camaraderie, travel, and a trade which became a successful technical career. There is no overtime pay in the military, every rank is on a set pay rate. Hurry Up And Wait Diving further into the cons of these Air Force pros and cons is something youll hear regularly in the military. But at any point her or the air force Required fields are marked *. Even in the Air Force, it is expected of you to go to school and pursue a college degree. Also, it is one of the most scientifically and technologically advanced air forces around the globe excelling in its core functions such as: This branch of the military is tasked with the responsibility of providing air support for land and water forces, and assist in the recovery of troops in the field. I am a transfer student and recently found out about their rotc, which i though about joining but didn't qualify because I'm a third year student. The primary mission of the Air Force is to defend the United States (and its interests) through the exploitation of air and space. Air Force careers related to IT like cyber surity or even non-computer related jobs like air traffic control can be very lucrative with military experience. The mission of the United States Air Force is to defend the United States of America and its global interests in both air and space. In our minds, life was about just about to get real, and that is truebut some of those expectations were quickly tempered, especially joining the Air Force. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. As with any other job in the armed forces, there are several air force pros and cons. Cant Avoid School If you are considering joining the Air Force because you dont want to go to school yet still want a good job, the Air Force isnt the answer. But despite the odds, feeling of pride and belonging, as well as your determination, will help you survive and stay in this force. Other than that one part, a good article Id say. So I First you must define what your goals are (long term). These exercises bring in many airmen and aircraft from other bases to accomplish the training. In this era where corporations maximize income by scraping off employees benefits as well as the general lack of job security, the secure benefits offered by the Air Force are enough reasons to convince you to join this service. 1 0. If military base housing isnt offered or full, an overseas housing allowance will be granted to live off base in another country. I was given the training and trust to do my part to help accomplish our mission. The Air Force has a reputation of having some of the best programs when it comes to quality of life; they have the best dormitories for their officers, family housing, recreation, and on-base shopping and services. Thats roughly 64,000 enlisted airmen and officers. Going through other Air Force pros and cons, you might have heard the Air Force offers 30 days paid leave per year. But as always, it is better to join the Air Force wholeheartedly without being coerced. Reviews of can i smoke CBD before joining the air force-Consumers show in the same sense, that Circumstances as a rule not occur. If your joining the Air Force in your 30s with a family or are thinking about a family, then this could be very important to you. Where else do you get paid to live in another country? As an Airman, you are offered an opportunity to pursue different career paths related to the Air Force to enable you to achieve your true potential. Although some of these disadvantages are often exaggerated in the publics domain, they are nevertheless real. This restricts you from living in your desired destination. Air Force expects you to always be a great human being or as they call it; be a Whole Person. This means that you have to be good at your job, be in good shape, improve yourself by taking additional classes, be involved in sports and other activates on base, volunteer around the community, mind other peoples welfare, etc. OMK provides resources and content to young adults who are thinking about joining the US Armed Forces, but dont know where to begin. Whether that be a Community College of the Air Force degree or another school like. Generous Amounts Of Days Off Going through other Air Force pros and cons, you might have heard the Air Force offers 30 days paid leave per year. If you are someone who dreams of living in another country and experiencing life outside of the United States, know that its a realistic goal to get stationed overseas. And even if you stay off-base, you cannot live far away from your military operation base for accessibility in case you are called upon for duty. Travel is an additional bonus. Its common to arrive 15 minutes early to everything, and sometimes even 15 minutes early to being 15 minutes early. Also explore the other services for what they offer. The Money Is Good When you think about Air Force money, yes its true you dont start out making a lot in the lower ranks but it increases with each rank. However, in the whole ordeal, the entire squadron of a few hundred people was called into formation at 5am on a Saturday for a briefing, a speech about drunk driving due to his misconduct. Is the Army worth joining? An Air Force recruiter speaks to a prospective recruit. You can gain the skills necessary through serving the military by letting the Air Force pay for you to receive job-specific certificates that are also used in the civilian sector. The Air Force gets a lot of admiration from its sister branches because of the many luxuries they have. Related Article Military Child Care: 8 Great Options. I would seriously consider the AF. Therefore, it is up to you to decide if they are worth it or not. Keanu enlisted in the US Air Force in September 2013, and attended the Community College Of The Air Force, graduating with an Associates Degree in Transportation. Also, by enlisting in the Air Force, you get halfway to a 2-year degree. The military is not for everyone, and if it's not for you, that doesn't make you a You have to see your 20 years contract through.. I knew about Army National Guard and Reserves but I didn't know the Air Force had the same thing. 1 decade ago. Basic to Bluesis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. TDY Trips To Las Vegas Nellis Air Force base in Las Vegas routinely has military exercises and war games to hone military skills. Also, the Air Force offers outstanding Airmen scholarships to complete their college education. Furthermore, if you have terrible eyesight, the Air Force doesn't really much want you. Many overseas airmen receive COLA which is a cost of living allowance. Image: AF.mil. They are envied by other branches of the armed services. Being in this military branch is prestigious and a matter of huge pride, where your job will touch many lives and have far-reaching consequences. Having the total force understaffed presents its fair share of problems. In this post, I will be listing 10 pros and cons of the Air Force. This means they learn how to motivate and influence others to achieve a certain mission. Furthermore, they develop experiences in applying these skills and also acquire knowledge that enables them to display competencies that is essential to effective leadership. by Corey Porter | Apr 20, 2019 | Uncategorized | 0 comments. How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You, Air Force Jobs List: A List Of All AFSCs In The Air Force, BAH Calculator (and 6 Common Questions About BAH), How to Join the US Military as a Non-Citizen, 10 Benefits Of Being A Military Wife (and 5 not-so good things), Air Force Promotion Timeline for Enlisted & Officers, Air Force Cyber Transport Systems (3D1X2): Career Profile, Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) Guide, 11 Pros And 9 Cons Of Joining The Navy In 2019, 10 Best Marine Corps Jobs For Civilian Life In 2020. Keanu is currently an active duty airman in the United States Air Force. The other issue is finding a job. When you get stationed overseas or OCONUS the easier it is to remain overseas calling many different countries home. However, the years you have served are also considered when it comes to salaries. 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