[hoops330]

Chillen, I'm going into the army with a degree. It definitely has it's perks over someone going enlisted right out of high school. I imagine the benefits of going to the air force that are listed in this thread would be multiplied if you go in as an officer.

[Chillen0707]

I believe that officer program entails a 6 year commitment which is a commitment I'm not prepared nor (likely) qualified for. Now four years spent gaining employable skills - I like the sound of that! The discipline aspect of military life would only be a plus. I can be a very hard worker, have held two part times jobs while taking on a full class load in the past, but oftentimes I've found that life doesn't offer the structure necessary to bring it out of me. Goodluck with your enlistment, wish you the best Hoops.

[hoops330]

I was told that it would be a six year contract as well but when I signed the dotted line it only turned out to be four years active then four years inactive reserves. Thanks for the good wishes.

[Checkmat]

(12-19-2013 07:39 PM)Chillen0707 Wrote:  

Great data sheet, appreciate it ! Any thoughts on going enlisted at age 22 with college degree? Is it difficult to get into the air force? Can I get training in a trade, say welding or mechanic in either the navy or airforce?

You should really talk to an Air Force recruiter but I'll answer best I can.

I knew a lot of people with degrees or partially-completed degrees that enlisted. I believe if you have a certain amount of credits or a full degree+, you'll graduate basic training at E-2 or E-3 instead of E-1 like the high school grads. More money earlier on. I put on E-3 after tech school graduation, which comes after basic training. So the college grads were making E-3 pay for about three months while I was getting E-1.

Right now yes it's very difficult to get in the Air Force. They recently slashed almost all of the reenlistment bonuses because the AF is so fat with manning.

There are mechanics in the Air Force, in fact a ton of them. Not sure about welding specifically.

(12-19-2013 08:42 PM)hoops330 Wrote:  

Chillen, I'm going into the army with a degree. It definitely has it's perks over someone going enlisted right out of high school. I imagine the benefits of going to the air force that are listed in this thread would be multiplied if you go in as an officer.

Not by a whole lot. None of the enlisted careers in the AF require a college degree...The only thing I can think of that is a perk to enlisting with a degree is getting E-3 earlier.

If you plan on commissioning (there are a bunch of routes for enlisted to commission early in their careers) then obviously having a degree will help, unless it's a useless degree like liberal arts. STEM degrees are highly sought in the military.

[DVY]

AirForce recruits heavily from dental school. They pay your tuition, and you give back equal years on mandatory service (doing dentistry). A good % of ppl did it.

[Sanblz33]

Thanks for the data sheet