16-08-2005 15:10									#1
	A talk with an Air Force Recruiter Enter the AD-FREE zone

On Wednesday (today's Monday) I have a scheduled interview with an A.F. recruiter. I gotta bring my high school diploma, college diploma, SSN card, and birth certificate.

Why? Cause over here my options are running out extremely fast. I'm not getting any younger. I want and need training. Personally, I got in to my field to serve others and I think that this might be the shot that I may need.

My cousin, an Army HazMat firefighter recommended me to join the AF 2 years ago. I made a thread a while back about which branch of the Armed Services I should join...

Dunno what to say, really. I support the military but I hate the administration. I'd still go where-ever the military sends me and would do the job despite my personal feelings (ala samurai-style, baby). Jobs here are so "oh you need experience" but when I try and volunteer to places, they say that they don't do volunteer work.

I need out. I planned on going to the mainland, but I can't get a better job to get the money to get there in the first place....

...I figure the G.I. Bill will help me in getting my Masters degree. And the military experience will (hopefully) make me a valuable commodity here in HI.

I just want feedback on this. If the AF does accept me, I hope I can get out of here before November. Does anyone know the AF's recruitment strategies? Or does anyone know how the Armed Forces does this thing?

Thoughts appreciated.

	16-08-2005 17:03									#2
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What do you want to be trained to do?

	16-08-2005 18:01									#3
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You should consider joining the Air Guard first if military service has you worried. Being in the Air Guard would be a bit safer than the Army Guard and you can get a taste of the military without the full course. If you like the life then you can always go active. That way you can get your training and still keep your civilian life going. It's the best thing to do if your just going into the military because you don't know what else to do. You have more options that way.

	16-08-2005 18:13									#4
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I joined. There were circumstances, but I still joined.
With that out of the way and having been said, I wouldn't trade my time in.

Meet people you'd never meet and see places you wouldn't see.

	16-08-2005 18:13									#5
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What Spray said. If Hawaii has an Air Gaurd unit, try that first. You get the same experience with less risk. Not that there is much risk in the Air Force mind you, but whatever risk there is it will be less.

And of all the Armed Forces, if I had it to do over again, I'd go with the Air Force (I was in the Army for 12 years). Just remember this quote from an Airman I knew "I'm not in the military, I'm in the Air Force!".

	16-08-2005 18:15									#6
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quote: I figure the G.I. Bill will help me in getting my Masters degree. And the military experience will (hopefully) make me a valuable commodity here in HI.

Sounds like you already found an means to your ends. The military has influenced a lot of ppl I know, it is definitly a character builder. If you can't think of any other way to get your masters (at least a way that you can live with) I say go for it with an open mind.

	16-08-2005 18:26									#7
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The airman was in special circumstances.
Still the best. Army takes any worthless thing they can get.

	16-08-2005 23:52									#8
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hmmm, I'll talk to the recruiter to see if Hawaii as a Guard unit. I dunno...that sounds feasible. I got my degree in Psych and wanted to go into some kind of counseling or psychotherapy. But anything related to that would be fine.

I don't know if the A.F. has anything like that, but that's why I'm going to the recruiter. It doesn't hurt to ask.

What about the Montgomery GI bill? Would that be applicable to Guardsmen?

	16-08-2005 23:53									#9
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joining the armed forces

	17-08-2005 00:53									#10
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Sava

I say join the military as a last resort. If you can't make a career happen through college for whatever reason, then join the military.

	17-08-2005 00:54									#11
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quote: Originally posted by Sprayber You should consider joining the Air Guard first if military service has you worried. Being in the Air Guard would be a bit safer than the Army Guard and you can get a taste of the military without the full course. If you like the life then you can always go active. That way you can get your training and still keep your civilian life going. It's the best thing to do if your just going into the military because you don't know what else to do. You have more options that way.

air national guard? Like president Bush? Bush has given it a bad name.

	17-08-2005 00:57									#12
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quote: Originally posted by Frankychan hmmm, I'll talk to the recruiter to see if Hawaii as a Guard unit. I dunno...that sounds feasible. I got my degree in Psych and wanted to go into some kind of counseling or psychotherapy. But anything related to that would be fine. I don't know if the A.F. has anything like that, but that's why I'm going to the recruiter. It doesn't hurt to ask. What about the Montgomery GI bill? Would that be applicable to Guardsmen?

You already have a degree? Are you looking to be an officer then? That's the way to go. Do you have any kind of medical degree? You could get a job at a military hospital (mental health department).

If you have a degree I sure hope you aren't thinking about being enlisted. The pay sucks, and your options for job advancment after the military are limited. Except for hands on technical jobs of course.

Look into being an officer or chief warrant officer.

	17-08-2005 01:05									#13
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Only commies join the armed forces.

	17-08-2005 01:35									#14
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speaking of: don't tell them you are a communist.

	17-08-2005 02:06									#15
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quote: Originally posted by Dis speaking of: don't tell them you are a communist.

I'm more loyal to my country than what most people believe.

	17-08-2005 02:08									#16
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My friend, I hear Iran has effective SAM batteries unlike Iraq

	17-08-2005 02:11									#17
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quote: Originally posted by Provost Harrison My friend, I hear Iran has effective SAM batteries unlike Iraq

unless he's a pilot, that doesn't matter.

unless they have cruise missiles (surface to surface), he'll be okay. .

And there's always the possibility of terrorist attacks like the one in Saudi Arabia in the 90's. But if he's an officer, he won't have to worry so much. He won't be stuck in the high density housing the enlisteds use. .

	17-08-2005 02:12									#18
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quote: Originally posted by Donegeal Just remember this quote from an Airman I knew "I'm not in the military, I'm in the Air Force!".

You mean the "Chair Force", don't you? There's also a rumor going around that if this conflict continues on, that the Air Force will be merged into the military.....

Anyways, my biggest mistake when I enlisted was that when I went to the enlistment center, I was given a list of jobs that I was qualified for, none of them being on my original A-List that I had discussed with my recruiter. Regardless, I signed up for a maintenance tech position on the spot. Rertrospectively speaking, I'd say that the recruiters are going to first offer you an echelon of jobs that need to be filled. If you don't bite on those, then they'll probably start trotting out better jobs a few weeks after that.....


D

	17-08-2005 02:26									#19
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quote: Originally posted by Darsnan You mean the "Chair Force", don't you? There's also a rumor going around that if this conflict continues on, that the Air Force will be merged into the military..... Anyways, my biggest mistake when I enlisted was that when I went to the enlistment center, I was given a list of jobs that I was qualified for, none of them being on my original A-List that I had discussed with my recruiter. Regardless, I signed up for a maintenance tech position on the spot. Rertrospectively speaking, I'd say that the recruiters are going to first offer you an echelon of jobs that need to be filled. If you don't bite on those, then they'll probably start trotting out better jobs a few weeks after that..... D

This is good to know. I'm not a tech kind of guy, neither am I a mechanic. If he offers me some jobs on the spot, I'll know what's up.


How do you become an officer? I thought if you already have a degree, you qualify to become an officer.

	17-08-2005 02:32									#20
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I'm not entirely sure how to become an officer. Usually a degree (it may have to be a masters or higher) will do it. But the field of study may be important. Unless you go to the academy of course, then you are automatically an officer. OTS stands for officer training school. You'd have to go to that. So ask the recruiter about that.

And do take note of warrant officers. They aren't as good as officers, and have limited chance for advancement (so don't expect to be a general), but better pay than enlisted.

Also take note that officers don't do any real work. So the mechanic or tech stuff doesn't matter at all. you'll be in management and desk job positions primarily (unless you are a pilot or doctor). So some good people and management skills are important.

	17-08-2005 02:32									#21
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Dis

Sava

	17-08-2005 02:44									#22
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quote: Originally posted by SlowwHand Meet people you'd never meet and see places you wouldn't see.

Pah that's stupid rhetoric... you can do that even better if you are civilian!

I was 6 months in Málaga from my university being an exchange student and travelled through whole spain afterwards for 3 weeks. I could tell you the same and I didn't need military service to do that.
You have so much time in your life. Right now here is an American from Hawaii who is travelling around in Europe, going here, going there and later trying to settle down in Prague as english teacher for a while.

If you'd just want to do that, you really don't need to join the military.

	17-08-2005 02:45									#23
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quote: Originally posted by Frankychan How do you become an officer? I thought if you already have a degree, you qualify to become an officer.

Don't know how it is now. Ask your Recruiter. Just be aware that for officers you typically have to enlist for more years.....

D

	17-08-2005 03:37									#24
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Consider urself lucky that you are able to have choices regarding military and such

	17-08-2005 04:32									#25
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quote: Originally posted by Dis And do take note of warrant officers. They aren't as good as officers, and have limited chance for advancement (so don't expect to be a general), but better pay than enlisted.

The USAF doesn't have Warrants and you have to make E7 in order ot get CWO in the navy.

	17-08-2005 05:22									#26
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quote: Originally posted by Riesstiu IV Only commies join the armed forces.

Right, because of the ten largest armies in the world, only one could even be considered communist...China...

And obviously all 2 million American soldiers are communists, because they all VOLUNTEERED to defend capitalism and freedom...

	17-08-2005 05:35									#27
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quote: Originally posted by Dis I'm not entirely sure how to become an officer. Usually a degree (it may have to be a masters or higher) will do it. But the field of study may be important. Unless you go to the academy of course, then you are automatically an officer. OTS stands for officer training school. You'd have to go to that. So ask the recruiter about that. And do take note of warrant officers. They aren't as good as officers, and have limited chance for advancement (so don't expect to be a general), but better pay than enlisted. Also take note that officers don't do any real work. So the mechanic or tech stuff doesn't matter at all. you'll be in management and desk job positions primarily (unless you are a pilot or doctor). So some good people and management skills are important.

No Warrants in the Air Force.

	17-08-2005 05:44									#28
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Ask about OCS since you have a degree. That is Officer Candidate School. OCS is 90 days. If you make it, they will Promote you to 1st LT. That means you will skip 2nd LT. With your degree, you would likey wind up in the Medical field somewhere. Your Military time would be 6 years unless there is a special offer for signing up. Ask about special offer just to see if they are any.

	17-08-2005 08:13									#29
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quote: Originally posted by Commy Right, because of the ten largest armies in the world, only one could even be considered communist...China... And obviously all 2 million American soldiers are communists, because they all VOLUNTEERED to defend capitalism and freedom...

All those American soldiers are closet communists. When the time is right they will initiate a glorious red revolution since most soldiers come from "red" states and vote for "red" candidates. Then who will be the one who looks foolish?

	17-08-2005 08:39									#30
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Damn, guys. You all kick ass. I'm a little sketchy going in tomorrow. If I do enlist in the AF, I'd probably go officer just because of the privileges as well as the pay.

I did think about joining the Navy as a second choice, but they are out at sea for a very long time. I don't mind that, considering I've lived right next to the ocean all my life. It's just the fact that there's no land for a long time. And I'd like to come back to HI on leave.

Enlisting longer doesn't really bother me. It might delay what I want to do with my life, but so long as it will propel me further to my ultimate career goal, I'll be alright.

Damn guys. Thanks.

If you all have anything else to say, please do. Tomorrow is when I talk to the recruiter, so any help or key questions would be appreciated.

I'll let you all know how it went as well.