airforce?

[rockin86ranger]

anybody in/was in the airforce? Im trying to plan life after highschool and the military looks like a great start and the airforce seems like the branch that fits me best. Anybody have any info about being in the airforce, was it a good experience, worth joining, good lifestyle ...... just basic info.

if i joined it would probably be as a mechanic, if that helps

Thanks

 

[adsm08]

airplane mechanics need a lot of training. Could open a lot of doors if they train you on the job though.

 

[Jim Oaks]

My ex-brother-in-law joined back around 1990 to pay for his college. He progressed to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was accepted in to an officers training program. He graduated as a Lieutenant and has since worked his way up to Major. He looked like a fricken General when he graduated because of all the medals/ribbons he had already accumlated since starting as an Airman. He did get his college education while he's been in.

During his career he's never saw any action. Even when he was over in the big sand box. His job involves making sure that all the necessary equipment is flown to all the right places for the troops in the field.

He'll probably retire here in a few years and be financially set for the rest of his life. He never intended to stay in that long and become an officer. It just worked out that way.

I know he's really liked it and it's been good to him.

I myself am retired law enforcement. No military.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I was in AFJROTC and a brief stint in AFROTC. I'd recommend it to anyone. You can apply for a college scholarship with the Air Force and take AFROTC in college. When you graduate you have to spend a couple years in the service to sort of pay them back. But you get to start out as an officer.

In AFJROTC my unit would make a trip to a different military base once a year to live the life there for usually around 3 days. Live in the barracks, dine in the mess hall, run the training courses, etc. I took AFJROTC all four years of high school.

My first year we went to Fort Knox - Army base. They let us play in the tank simulators among other things and it was kinda fun. The food, however, was terribly lacking. Salads and MRE's were the preferred choices of chow. We got to live in an old tin hut, WWII surplus I'm guessing, lol. Looked a lot like it was last used in filming the movie Full Metal Jacket. And we had to stand fire watch every night.

My second year we went to Andrews Air Force Base. Standard accomodations were practically hotel quality. And the dining facilities were impressive - they had tv's scrolling through the menu items or you could get in the line for short order cooks and get whatever you wanted. I loved it.

Third year we went to Quantico for the Marine Corps base. Had a blast running their exercise courses. They taught us some hand-to-hand stuff, high water entry and such as well. Their food was nearly as good as Air Force, but no short order cooks. Just stay away from the lemon merangue pie unless you wish to be an insomniac for three days. Ask me how I know.... I was WIIIIDDDDEEEEEE awake, lol.

The last year was to Norfolk Naval Base and I ended up missing it, so I can't speak for them.

In college I spent my first semester in AFROTC before I was forced out. After the first semester you have to join the service and my entry was blocked by an unbreachable wall that I suspect was thrown up by one of my AFJROTC instructors after I quite inadvertantly brought him under scrutiny from the school board. As it happened, the instructor was pushing a new policy that I didn't agree with. I was grumbling about it outside of class to a friend and a school board member overheard. I certainly did not plan it that way. Next thing I know the instructors are grilling everyone to find out who spilled the beans. They couldn't punish any of us and make it obvious, but I took heat anyway. There's a lil more to the story but that's the basic cliffs notes.

There is still times that I wish I could have served. My AFROTC instructors at college did everything humanly possible to try to get me in but it still didn't happen.

Even for all that happened, I still proudly salute the armed services.

 

[hoosier1104]

anybody in/was in the airforce? Im trying to plan life after highschool and the military looks like a great start and the airforce seems like the branch that fits me best. Anybody have any info about being in the airforce, was it a good experience, worth joining, good lifestyle ...... just basic info.

if i joined it would probably be as a mechanic, if that helps

Thanks

I was in the AF up until like 2 yrs ago. I loved every minute of it. I was a simple phone guy. It is not an easy life style by any means for any of the branches of service.

I am currently working on my BS and could possibly go back in. AF is a good start if you are technically minded.

SSgt Justin Carlton (Honorable Discharge)

 

[pastor bubba]

My brother was in the air force as a mechanic on C130s and loved it. He is now an instructor for them.

 

[chvlfrk]

USAF is the best for education opportunities>>>

USAF Veteran 1978-1992 SSgt.

Busted twice for BS, then got caught in the first George Bush's Force Reduction of 1992, they were deletin 60% of my AFSC, so we/I was told that I could volunteer to get out & get this much money, or stay in and be forced out in 6 months, and get nothin. So before Cuba Gooding Jr. EVER thought of the phrase, I said "SHOW ME THE MONEY"!

Long story short, then I got RAPED!

Just be sure that whatever your recruiter promises you is in writing and GUARANTEED or ain't worth squawt!!!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[hoosier1104]

Just be sure that whatever your recruiter promises you is in writing and GUARANTEED or ain't worth squawt!!!

No truer words have ever been typed.

 

[bcost882]

I am currently in the airforce stationed at nellis afb working as a crew chief(mechanic) on f-16's. I'm also getting ready to go to korea. i'v been in for 3 yrs now and if you have any questions you can feel free to pm me. it also depends what kinda mechanic you wanna be heavys(cargo planes), fighters, vehicles. and the recruiter WILL lie to you get whatever they say in writing. otherwise I love my job. i get to work on 21 fighters at 62M each gotta love it.

 

[Southern_Trendkill]

Don't get a job working on planes if you think you like them. I made that mistake, and now I have nothing but pure contempt for aircraft.

 

[strvger]

USAF 1972-76. that was during 'Nam. lots has changed since then, but i'd do it all over again for sure. great place to build self confidence, become self-sufficient, learn about teamwork, get yourself and your life organized for whatever the future might hold for you. i would imagine the same goes for the other branches as well. also did the US Army from 1978-84 with the same recommendations. just my $ .02

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

USAF Veteran 1978-1992 SSgt.

Busted twice for BS, then got caught in the first George Bush's Force Reduction of 1992, they were deletin 60% of my AFSC, so we/I was told that I could volunteer to get out & get this much money, or stay in and be forced out in 6 months, and get nothin. So before Cuba Gooding Jr. EVER thought of the phrase, I said "SHOW ME THE MONEY"!

Long story short, then I got RAPED!

Just be sure that whatever your recruiter promises you is in writing and GUARANTEED or ain't worth squawt!!!

GOOD LUCK!

In blue...EXACTLY what my father has been telling me!! lol

I am currently in the airforce stationed at nellis afb working as a crew chief(mechanic) on f-16's. I'm also getting ready to go to korea. i'v been in for 3 yrs now and if you have any questions you can feel free to pm me. it also depends what kinda mechanic you wanna be heavys(cargo planes), fighters, vehicles. and the recruiter WILL lie to you get whatever they say in writing. otherwise I love my job. i get to work on 21 fighters at 62M each gotta love it.

Thanks you guys. Ya'll might be getting PM's from me here sometime soon. USAF is something I've REALLY been considering. Been getting my weight down to meet qualiications. In this family, it's USAF or nothing. Both my grandparents(RIP) and my father are USAF vets. My dream is doing what my dad's dad did....boom operator on KC135's. Would be SO FREAKING AWESOME! But after USAF, IDK how those skills would help. lol. I'm more leaning towards large aircraft mechanic....use those skills in the airline industry. Nothing in stone yet, just thoughts. Who knows...maybe I'll be like Jim's brother or who ever and make a life long career out of t.

 

[DRB]

I was in from 95'-99'. USAF is the BEST service to be in. I was a Hydraulic mechanic on KC-10 Extender's and traveled the globe. Stayed in awesome hotel's and had a great time. I was stationed at McGuire AFB in New Jersey. 35 minutes to Philly, 50 minutes to New York City. Nothing around the base, but lot's of fun.....and chicks in short driving distance.

It will teach you (if you let it) how to be an accountable, productive, detail oriented person, and it will make a man out of you.

Go for it.

 

[Grunizzle]

Im in the AF right now. Just about to graduate tech school in a few weeks. So far I love it and have never looked back my civilian life. My job or AFSC, is C-130 crew chief. Its been really fun and great experience so far. If you got any questions, post em up!