Szar":1shjzp8w said:And if you are crazy....there is always EOD.
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grooveHT":2txpc3bg said:Vultures, have to agree with Scott/DJ on this one, the weapons/armament tech sounds cool, but to pick up some job skills I'd definately go for the crew chief/mechanic MOS. The availability for cross training means not only will you do airframe work, but power plant/turbine, avionics and electronics, and a slew of other stuff. Pick up your A&P license (airframe and powerplant) and you have some awesome credentials for the outside world later on. Additionally, a lot of that stuff transfers over to college credit. So, if you're interested in aviation, yes, go with mechanic/crew chief, and if they don't give you what you want, WALK AWAY from signing anything, they will find a way to make it work for you if you tested as well as you say you did. Be sure to look at which airframe you want to work on; F-16 is easily the prettiest, but there is more gee-whiz shit on the 22 or 15; JSF should be coming on-line soon, so inquire about that as well. Was a crew chief for UH-60s in the Army for a few years
VoodooChild24":17io2ouk said:At least you would be tweaking a fighter plane instead of the Mark IV!
Congrats bro!
vultures":ufiq6qvb said:grooveHT":ufiq6qvb said:Vultures, have to agree with Scott/DJ on this one, the weapons/armament tech sounds cool, but to pick up some job skills I'd definately go for the crew chief/mechanic MOS. The availability for cross training means not only will you do airframe work, but power plant/turbine, avionics and electronics, and a slew of other stuff. Pick up your A&P license (airframe and powerplant) and you have some awesome credentials for the outside world later on. Additionally, a lot of that stuff transfers over to college credit. So, if you're interested in aviation, yes, go with mechanic/crew chief, and if they don't give you what you want, WALK AWAY from signing anything, they will find a way to make it work for you if you tested as well as you say you did. Be sure to look at which airframe you want to work on; F-16 is easily the prettiest, but there is more gee-whiz shit on the 22 or 15; JSF should be coming on-line soon, so inquire about that as well. Was a crew chief for UH-60s in the Army for a few years
Great advice dude, thanks! I'll definitely ask about the A&P license, really important to pick up all certifications/degrees/licenses when you can. And I'm definitely not signing until I'm satisfied, the Sgt who got me into this told me "Don't sign until you get every single thing they say in writing". How was your experience as crew chief? Were you assigned solo or with a team?
I'm looking at some pictures, I'm gonna have to know what every single one of these things mean
Fiesta Red":2ice9hru said:Digital Jams":2ice9hru said:Welcome to the military family man
vultures":aw4pylyk said:Hey guys, been a while since I posted anything serious, but I'm just so excited about what's been going on. I lost 15-20 pounds healthy, getting back into good shape and I'm joining the Air Force
I didn't know how well I'd do, but I scored really high on the testing and just went through MEPS today. Man, I cannot even begin to express the sheer excitement for the opportunities/experiences and jobs I have open to me. I NEVER thought I'd score so well for the Air Force, but I studied, put my mind to it and did it!
So far I'm stuck between 3 really great jobs; Tactical Air Command and Control, F-16 Crew Chief/Tactical Aircraft Maint. or other select jobs working with the munitions/armaments of the fighters. The recruiter put these and a list of others in front of me and I was BLOWN away. I cannot believe the responsibilities/training/opportunities that have been put in front of me.
I've always wanted to join the Armed Services, but was always too nervous or didn't think I'd cut it. But now, I think I've taken the right path.
Sorry if this is a "brag" post, but I feel like I've finally found a REAL direction in my life, and I have to share it. Anyone who's curious about armed services, study up and give the test a shot.. you just never know what will happen.
grooveHT":jjct80s4 said:
SgtThump":jjct80s4 said:Hey man, CONGRATS! I went in the Air Force when I was 21 (older than most) and stayed for 6-years. It was THE best career decision I ever made. I made other decisions during that time that really helped me out in the long run.
Keep in mind that even though the Air Force Basic Training is probably the easiest of all the branches (I think it's changed to be harder physically, though), it's still very stressful. There's still tons of pressure. I don't care who you are or how prepared you are, you will absolutely lay in bed that first week and ask yourself why in the hell you did this. I've seen big tough grown men break down crying when they called their family for the first time (after a week or so.) It's the stress.
After a week or two, you get into the groove and even though it sucks, it's no longer a huge deal. It also feels like you're there for 10 years, but it's really only weeks (how long is it now?) And if you ever question why the heck you did this, just think about the future. The rest of the Air Force is NOTHING like Basic Training, so the grass is absolutely greener on the other side.
As other said, don't raise your hand or even talk in Basic Training unless you're spoken to first. They will ask who has drivers license and those that raise their hand will get trash duty or something crazy like that. lol! Just sit there quietly and don't do a thing but what you're told. Also, do EXACTLY as you're told. NO MORE! That's a test. They want you to follow directions EXACTLY. Don't think "I'm sure he meant this too" or anything like that. lol! It's a TARP!
Absolutely go into a job that translates to skills on the outside. My advice? Go into anything related to Information Technology. No, it's not cool like the jobs you mentioned. But believe me, there's tons of money to be made in the IT fields and you will set yourself up very well in the future if you go that route. Really...
The military is a great experience for everyone. I think you made a great decision! And no matter what the tough guys in the other branches say, you'll be VERY happy you joined the AIR FORCE after you see the crap they go through. Everything is better in the Air Force UNLESS you want to kill people. lol... The food is better, the dorms are better, the bases are nicer, the living conditions even in wartime are better, etc, etc, etc...
But yeah, if you want to crawl through mud, learn hand-to-hand combat, and kill people, go elsewhere. If you want to be taken care of, join the AF.
Also, I think that "Tactical Air Command and Control" used to be called "TAC-P" or something. That's alot of physical training, similar to special forces stuff. I think so anyway. So if you're not into that stuff, don't go that route.
Keep in mind that I was in from Jan 1994 to Dec 1999, so things could have changed alot since then.
But anyway, GOOD LUCK AND GREAT DECISION!!!!
Ben Dover":jjct80s4 said:
